Secure valet telephone system

Abstract

A secure valet telephone system is provided having a computer accessible by a live operator, a private encrypted database containing a plurality of contact numbers for one or more parties, with the contact numbers accessible by the computer, a telephone number through which a caller may contact the live operator and be connected by the live operator to a preferred contact number of a party chosen by the computer based upon data in said database, wherein the preferred contact number is hidden from the live operator. This system facilitates more efficient calling by connecting the calling party with the call location at which the contact party is most likely to be reached. The actual number dialed is concealed from the operator in the interests of privacy and security.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION [0001] The present invention claims priority to provisional application No. 60 / 499,257 filed on Aug. 29, 2003.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The invention relates to the field of telephone communications and, more particularly, to a secure valet telephone system. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Today telephone networks have become increasing complex. In the not so distant past, contacting an individual normally meant calling a phone number for the individual's home or business. All of the residents of a household typically shared one telephone number, and often all individuals at a place of business shared one or a few telephone numbers. Today, this is rarely the case. Nearly every individual now has a plurality of numbers through which they can be contacted. For example, an individual may have at least one home number, a cell number, a pager number, an office direct dial number, an office main number, etc. As a result of today's changing world, it has become n...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007] A secure valet telephone system is provided for enabling system subscribers to achieve improved call connection efficiency. The system comprises a live operator who can access upon request contact information for contact parties contained within a private encrypted database. The operator accesses the database via a computer. The computer uses the information stored within the database to determine a preferred contact number for the desired contact party. This facilitates more efficient calling by connecting the calling party with the call location at which the contact party is most likely to be reached. The actual number dialed is concealed from the operator in the interests of privacy and security.

[0008] The system may further include a method to update the database after each call to include information about the call attempt or call completion. Additionally, the system may further include a method to quickly and easily put a subscriber in touch with the operator such as via an autodialer, a one button connection, or a voice activated connection.

Problems solved by technology

Today telephone networks have become increasing complex.

Additionally, because of the numerous contact numbers at which a particular individual might be reached, making productive call connections can be difficult.

However, those devices require a substantial investment of time to enter all of the data into them, and an amount of technical savvy and manual dexterity to retrieve the information.

Often, entering and retrieving information can be difficult.

For example, it can be difficult to page through an electronic phonebook while one is driving.

Some individuals have additional difficulties in accessing information stored in this manner (e.g., visually impaired individuals).

Additionally, such a device containing a substantial amount of private contact information may be lost or stolen, resulting in the loss of all the sensitive personal information stored within the device.

First, they do not aid in increasing call productivity as they do not distinguish between an individual's various numbers and normally do not include cellular numbers.

Moreover, current directory assistance techniques contain a security concern because the operator has access to telephone numbers of the individuals on the system.

In today's security conscious environment, this may be undesirable to many people.

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