Patent ID: 8238540
Filing Date: 2012-08-07
Classification: H04M

Abstract:
1. A method of managing a pool of phone addresses, the method comprising: receiving, over a data network, at a communication management system, a first set of parameter values associated with a first user selection of a first item of information provided by a publisher for display on a terminal of the first user, wherein the first item of information is provided for display at a first location in a first user interface and the first set of parameter values includes information indicating that first location; establishing a first number pool phone address assignment by assigning, by the communication management system, a first number pool phone address from a phone address number pool to the first set of parameter values; storing in computer memory the first number pool phone address assignment; providing the assigned first number pool phone address over the data network to a first information provider associated with the first item of information, wherein at least partly in response to the first user selection of the first item of information, the assigned first number pool phone address is displayed on the terminal of the first user in association with a second item of information; receiving at the communication management system a first inbound call from the first user directed to the first number pool phone address, wherein the first inbound call is associated with first call signaling information; generating a first outbound call from the communication management system to a second phone address based at least in part on the first call signaling information; bridging the first inbound call and the first outbound call to provide a first completed call; storing an indication in memory that the publisher is to be credited with respect to the first completed call; receiving, over the data network, at the communication management system, a second set of parameter values associated with a second user selection of a third item of information provided by the publisher for display on a terminal of the second user, wherein the third item of information is provided for display at a second location and the second set of parameter values include information indicating that second location; comparing the first set of parameter values and the set of second parameter values and if the first set of parameter values does not correspond to the second set of parameter values: storing in computer memory the second number pool phone address assignment; providing the assigned second number pool phone address over the data network to the first information provider, wherein the first information provider is associated with the third item of information, wherein at least partly in response to the second user selection of the third item of information, the assigned second number pool phone address is displayed on the terminal of the second user in association with a fourth item of information; at least partly in response to receiving at the communication management system a second inbound call from the second user directed to the assigned second number pool phone address, wherein the second inbound call is associated with second call signaling information, generating a second outbound call from the communication management system to a third phone address based at least in part on the second call signaling information; bridging the second inbound call and the second outbound call to provide a second completed call; and storing an indication in memory that the publisher is to be credited with respect to the second completed call.