Abstract:
A method is provided for the sharing of information in which a request for information is transmitted along with an indication of a reason for which the information is sought and, in response to the request, a subset of the information available is provided on the basis of a characteristic of the event.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to telecommunications in general, and, more particularly, to an improved method for information retrieval. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Ordinarily customers entrust their personal information to business enterprises as a condition for obtaining a service. For example, if a customer wants to obtain a cable television service, the customer must provide his address, telephone number, credit card number, and possibly, Social Security number to the cable television company. Once the customer provides this information, he or she has no control over how the information is used and cannot prevent the company from using the information contrary to the will of the customer. 
     For an instance, the cable television company may use the customer&#39;s telephone number to make undesired telemarketing calls to the customer. The company can call the customer at inconvenient times or at a telephone number at which the customer does not want to be called in the absence of an emergency. Therefore, a need exists for an improved method that provides customers with a greater control over how their information is used. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention answers this need by providing a method for storing sensitive customer information without some of the costs and disadvantages of doing so in the prior art. 
     In accordance with the present invention, a first party stores his or her personal information on a server running consumer portal software. The consumer portal software is software that allows the first party to specify and store one or more rules that govern the sharing of the information of the first party with third parties by the consumer portal. At a later point, when the consumer portal receives a request by a third party to disclose the first party&#39;s information, the portal consults the rules specified by the first party and discloses only the information which it is permitted to disclose by the rules. 
     For example, in a situation in which a business organization needs to contact the first party with an offer to purchase a service, the business organization issues a request to the consumer portal for the telephone number and email of the first party. Along with the request, the business organization transmits an indication of a reason for which the information is sought which reveals that the information is sought in connection with calling the customer with an offer for a new service. 
     Upon receipt of the request for information and the indication of a reason for which the requested information is sought, the consumer portal determines whether the customer has specified any rules for the disclosure of the phone number. In this example, the consumer portal determines that the customer has prohibited the disclosure of his or her telephone number in connection with telemarketing calls. Subsequently, the consumer portal processes the indication of a reason for which the information is sought, determines that the information is sought in connection with a telemarketing call, and transmits only the first party&#39;s email to the business organization. 
     The illustrative embodiment of the present invention comprises: (i) receiving at the consume portal a request to transmit information about a first party; (ii) receiving an indication of a reason for which the requested information is sought; and (iii) transmitting from the consumer portal a subset of the available personal information about the first party, wherein the subset is chosen based on the reason for which the requested information is sought. 
     Although some embodiments of the present invention are described in the context of business-customer relations, it is to be understood that the uses and applications of the methods and principles described in this disclosure extend to virtually any field in which it is desirable to provide entities with greater control over how their information is shared. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  depicts the salient components of the illustrative embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2A  depicts a flowchart of the execution of the salient tasks of the illustrative embodiment of the present invention performed by consumer portal  130 . 
         FIG. 2B  depicts a flowchart of the execution of the salient tasks of the operation of the illustrative embodiment performed by terminal  140 . 
         FIG. 3  depicts a flowchart of the execution of the salient subtasks associated with the performance of task  210 -A. 
         FIG. 4  depicts a flowchart of the execution of the salient sub-tasks associated with the performance of task  340 . 
         FIG. 5  depicts a flowchart of the execution of the salient subtasks associated with the performance of task  220 -A. 
         FIG. 6  depicts a flowchart of the execution of the salient sub-tasks associated with the performance of task  240 -A. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       FIG. 1  depicts the salient components of the illustrative embodiment of the present invention. The illustrative embodiment comprises user  101 , terminal  110 , telecommunications network  120 , consumer portal  130 , and terminal  140 . 
     User  101  is a natural person using terminal  110 . However, it will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which user  101  is another entity, such as, for example, and without limitation, a business organization, a social network, etc. 
     Terminal  110  is a personal computer. Terminal  110  allows user  101  to connect and interact with consumer portal  130 . It will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which terminal  110  is any telecommunications device, such as, for example, and without limitation, a cellular telephone, portable digital assistant (PDA), etc. 
     Telecommunications network  120  transports signals between terminal  110 , terminal  140 , and consumer portal  130 . In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, telecommunications network  120  is the Internet, but it will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which telecommunications network  120  is another telecommunications network (e.g. the Public Switched Telephone Network, cellular telephone network, etc.). 
     Consumer portal  130  is computer hardware (e.g. processor, memory, storage, network adapter, etc.) and software for maintaining an information record for user  101  together with one or more rules for sharing the information available on the record. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, consumer portal  130  maintains a record of identification, contact, and payment information for user  101 . However, those skilled in the art will recognize, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which consumer portal  130  is capable of storing any type of information concerning user  101 , such as, for example, and without limitation, familial information, employment information, address history, information concerning the user&#39;s education, etc. 
     Terminal  140  is hardware (e.g. processor, memory, storage, network adapter, etc.) and software for executing transactions on behalf of a business organization. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, terminal  140  is residing within the enterprise network of the business organization, but it will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which terminal  140  is residing outside of the enterprise network. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the transactions, which terminal  140  is capable of executing, include informing user  101  of new services offered by the business organization, informing the user for changes in the user&#39;s service plan, billing the user, and others. When terminal  140  is instructed to execute a transaction, it connects to consumer portal  130  and requests information about user  101  that is necessary to complete the transaction. The terminal, then, uses the obtained information to execute the transaction. 
       FIG. 2A  depicts a flowchart of the execution of the salient tasks of the illustrative embodiment of the present invention performed by consumer portal  130 . It will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to perform the tasks associated with  FIG. 2A  in a different order than represented or to perform one or more of the tasks concurrently. Furthermore, it will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention that omit one or more of the tasks. 
     At task  210 -A, consumer portal  130  receives subscription information from user  101 . In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, the subscription information comprises the user&#39;s identification, contact, and billing information. Furthermore, in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the subscription information comprises one or more rules governing the dissemination of the subscription information to third parties. Task  210 -A is described in further detail in the discussion with respect to  FIG. 3 . 
     At task  220 -A, consumer portal  130  receives an update to the subscription information of user  101 . Task  220 -A is described further in the discussion with respect to  FIG. 5 . 
     At task  230 -A, consumer portal  130  receives a request for information about user  101 . The request comprises: (1) identification of the information needed; (2) an indication of the reason for which the information is sought; and (3) identification of the requesting party. However, it will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which the request for information does not comprise an identification of the requesting party. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the request is for the contact information of user  101 , but it will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which the request for information is for any item of information received by consumer portal  130  at tasks  210 -A and  220 -A. Furthermore, in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the indication of a reason for which the information is sought is an alphanumeric string, but it will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which the indication of the reason for which the information is sought is represented in an alternative way, such as, for example, and without limitation, a bit string, number, etc. 
     Similarly, the identification of the requesting party is an alphanumeric string which identifies the sender of the request for information received at task  230 -A. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the business organization with which terminal  140  is associated is identified as the maker of the request for information. However, it will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which the identification of a requesting party, points to a specific person that ordered the request, a specific department within the business organization with which terminal  140  is associated, specific geographic location, physical location, specific telecommunications terminal, and so forth. 
     In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, the indication of the reason for which the information is sought reveals that the request for information is made in connection with offering user  101  to purchase a new service provided by the by the business organization with which terminal  140  is associated. However, it will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which the indication of the reason for which the information is sought identifies one or more of (i) a transaction in relation to which the information is sought; (ii) an indication of a goal which the requester of the information seeks to achieve; or (iii) an indication of a specific matter in connection with which the information request is made. In particular, a transaction in relation to which the information is sought is a transaction, such as, for example, and without limitation, billing user  101  for a service received, renewing a service subscription, enacting a change in a service which user  101  receives, and so forth. Similarly, a goal which the maker of the request for information seeks to achieve, can be, for example, and without limitation, saving the rain forest, helping children learn, electing a particular candidate for office, etc. And the indication of a specific matter in relation with which the information is sought is an indication of any past, future, and present actions or dealings of user  101  in connection with which the request for information is made, such as, for example, and without limitation, identification of an order made by the user (e.g. order number), an ongoing application for admission to college, a request for information filed by the user, a voice mail message left by user  101 , a project on which the user has been working, the user&#39;s membership in a car enthusiasts club, the user&#39;s request for a price quote, etc. 
     At task  240 -A, consumer portal  130  responds to the information request received at task  230 -A. The execution of task  240 -A is further described in the discussion with respect to  FIG. 6 . 
       FIG. 2B  depicts a flowchart of the salient tasks of the operation of the illustrative embodiment performed by terminal  140 . It will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to perform the tasks associated with  FIG. 2B  in a different order than represented or to perform one or more of the tasks concurrently. Furthermore, it will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention that omit one or more of the tasks. 
     At task  210 -B, consumer portal  130  receives subscription information from terminal  140 . In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the subscription information comprises an identification of the business organization with which terminal  140  is associated. However, it will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which the subscription information comprises any information concerning the business organization, such as, for example, and without limitation, authentication information, address, nature of the business in which the organization is involved, etc. 
     At task  220 -B, terminal  140  is instructed to execute a transaction. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, the transaction is to initiate a telecommunications session with user  101  and offer the user to purchase a new service provided by the business organization with which the terminal  140  is associated. It will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which the transaction is any transaction possible between the submitter of the request for information and user  101 , such as, for example, and without limitation, billing the user, enacting changes to the user&#39;s service, requesting information from the user, requesting authorization from the user, and so forth. 
     At task  230 -B terminal  140  transmits to consumer portal  130  a request for the contact information of user  101 . The content of the request for information is described in the discussion with respect to task  230 -A. 
     At task  240 -B, consumer portal  140  receives a response to the request for information submitted at task  230 -B. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention the response comprises the email address of user  101 . 
     At task  250 -B, consumer portal  130 , in a well-known fashion, sends user  101  an email with an offer for the new service provided by the by the business organization with which terminal  140  is associated. 
       FIG. 3  depicts a flowchart of the execution of the salient subtasks associated with the performance of task  210 -A. It will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to perform the tasks associated with  FIG. 3  in a different order than represented or to perform one or more of the tasks concurrently. Furthermore, it will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention that omit one or more of the tasks. 
     At task  310 , user  101  registers with consumer portal  130  and submits his personal information to the portal. Upon receipt of the information, consumer portal  130  creates and stores an information record for user  101 . In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, the information record is a database record, but it will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which the user information is stored in alternative ways, such as, kept in free standing text files, binary files, etc. Furthermore, in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the personal information of user  101  comprises identification, contact, and payment information. It will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, that the information received at task  320  is not limited to any specific types of information and that alternative embodiments of the present invention can be devised in which the subscription information comprises any item of information, personal and non-personal, concerning user  101 , such as, for example, and without limitation, the user&#39;s favorite color, profession, political views, make of the user&#39;s car, etc. 
     In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the identification information for user  101  is the name of the user and the maiden name of the user&#39;s mother. It will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which the identification information for user  101  comprises any type of information that can be used to distinguish user  101 , such as, for example, and without limitation, social security number, employee identification number, nickname, customer account number, etc. The contact information for user  101  comprises the user&#39;s email address, work telephone number, and cellular telephone number. Those skilled in the art will recognize, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which the contact information for user  101  comprises any information which can be used to contact user  101 , such as, for example, and without limitation, one or more mailing addresses associated with the user, emails, telephone numbers, pager numbers, instant messenger handles, etc. The payment information of user  101  comprises a checking account number and credit card number. It will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which the payment information comprises any type of financial information concerning user  101 , such as, for example, and without limitation, money market accounts, a list of checking and savings accounts, and so forth. 
     Those skilled in the art will also recognize, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which user  101  submits availability information to consumer portal  130 . In particular, the availability can indicate the availability of user  101  for communication over a particular medium (e.g. online chat, telephone, Short Message Service (SMS), etc.), the availability of user  101  to communicate at particular times or dates, etc. 
     At task  320 , user  101  selects an entity with which he or she wants to share the personal information submitted at task  310  and submits an indication of the selection to consumer portal  130 . In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, the entity permitted access to the information of user  101  is the business organization with which terminal  140  is associated, but it will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which any possible entity is selected, such as, for example, and without limitation, other business organizations, individual persons, social networks, nonprofit organizations, etc. 
     At task  330 , consumer portal  130  receives an indication of the relationship between user  101  and the entity selected at task  320 . In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the indication of relationship is submitted by user  101 , but it will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which consumer portal  130  retrieves the indication of the relationship between the user and the business organization from a third-party server. Moreover, in accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, consumer portal  130  receives an indication that user  101  is a subscriber of the business organization selected at task  320 . However, it will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which any type of relationship between user  101  and the entity identified at task  320  is specified, such as, for example, and without limitation, a familial relationship, an employment relationship, contractual relationship, financial relationship (i.e. user is investor in a business), ownership relationship, business relationship, membership association (i.e. user is a member of a social network), and others. Furthermore, it will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention, in which additional information concerning the relationship between user  101  and the business organization with which terminal  140  is associated, such as, for example, and without limitation, account which user  101  has with the organization, length of the relationship between the user and the organization, type of account which user  101  has with the business organization, whether the user is a preferred customer of the business organization, etc. 
     At task  340 , user  101  submits to consumer portal  130  an indication of one or more rules for sharing the information of user  101  with the business organization with which terminal  140  is associated. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, the rules for sharing the information of user  101  depend on the identity of the party requesting the information, but it will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which the rules for sharing the user information are neutral with respect to the identity of the requesting party. Task  340  is described in further detail in the discussion with respect to  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 4  depicts a flowchart of the salient sub-tasks associated with the execution of task  340 . It will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to perform the tasks associated with  FIG. 4  in a different order than represented or to perform one or more of the tasks concurrently. Furthermore, it will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention that omit one or more of the tasks. 
     At task  410 , user  101  submits to consumer portal  130  an indication of a rule for the sharing of the identification information of user  101 . More specifically, the rule provides that consumer portal  130  is permitted to share the maiden name of the user&#39;s mother only in response to requests for information associated with a financial transaction. For example, if the reason for a request for the maiden name of the user&#39;s mother is completing a credit application on behalf of the user, or to execute a withdrawal of funds from an account of the user, consumer portal  130  will provide the maiden name. In any event, it will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which the rule for sharing the identification information of user  101  is based on any possible reason for which the identification information can be sought. For example, and without limitation, such rules are:
         i. share the user&#39;s Social Security number in response to requests for information associated with the provision of daycare services;   ii. share the user&#39;s employee number only when the request for information is associated with a project XYZ (on which user  101  has been working);   iii. do not share the number of the drivers license of user  101  in response to requests for information associated with solicitations from vehicle insurers;   iv. share the user&#39;s Social Security number only if the user has a checking account with the submitter of the request for information;       

     At task  420 , user  101  submits to consumer portal  130  an indication of a rule for the sharing of the contact information of user  101 . More specifically, the rule provides that consumer portal  130  is permitted to share the telephone number of user  101  only in response to requests for information which are not associated with telemarketing. For example, under this arrangement, if anyone requests the telephone number of user  101  in connection with soliciting business from the user, the request will be denied. In any event, it will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which the rule for sharing the contact information of user  101  is based on any possible reason for which the contact information can be sought. For example, and without limitation, such rules are:
         i. share the user&#39;s address in response to requests for information associated with the user&#39;s mortgage;   ii. share the user&#39;s telephone number in response to requests associated with the confirmation of appointments;   iii. share the user&#39;s work telephone number only in response to requests associated with college applications by the user;       

     At task  430 , user  101  submits to consumer portal  130  an indication of a rule for the sharing of the payment information of user  101 . More specifically, the rule provides that consumer portal  130  is permitted to share the checking account number of user  101  only in response to requests of information associated with the repayment of loans by the user. For example, under this arrangement, if the business organization selected task  320  submits a request for the user&#39;s checking account number and the indication of the reason for which the information is sought reveals that the request is made in connection with billing the user for services received, the request will be denied. However, the same request will be fulfilled, if the indication of a reason for which the information is sought reveals that the request of information is made in connection with the repayment of a loan received by the user. In any event, it will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which the rule for sharing the contact information of user  101  is based on any possible reason for which the payment information can be sought. For example, and without limitation, such rules are:
         i. share the user&#39;s credit card number only in response to requests for information made in connection with a payment for services already received;   ii. never share the user&#39;s credit card number in response to requests for information made in connection with telemarketing;   iii. share the user&#39;s checking account number in response to requests for information made in connection with billing the user for services received only when the sum to be billed exceeds $50 dollars;       

     Although, the rules submitted by user  101  at tasks  410  through  430  are based on a reason for which information is sought, it will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which user  101  specifies rules that are based on the relationship between user  101  and the entity identified at task  320 . For example, and without limitation, such rules are:
         i. share the user&#39;s credit card number only if he is a preferred customer of the maker of the request for information;   ii. share the user&#39;s date of birth only with close relatives, such as brothers, but not with distant relatives;   iii. share the user&#39;s checking account number with the user&#39;s brother, but not with the user&#39;s neighbor;       

     It will also be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which user  101  specifies rules that are based on availability information for user  101 . For example, and without limitation, such rules are:
         i. do not share the user&#39;s phone number between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.;   ii. share the user&#39;s instant messenger handle only if the user is connected to the Internet;   iii. do not share the user&#39;s telephone and instead share the user&#39;s instant messenger handle if the user is connected to the Internet;       

       FIG. 5  depicts a flowchart of the execution of the salient subtasks associated with the performance of task  220 -A. It will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to perform the tasks associated with  FIG. 5  in a different order than represented or to perform one or more of the tasks concurrently. Furthermore, it will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention that omit one or more of the tasks. 
     At task  510 , user  101  submits to consumer portal  130  an update to the user&#39;s information. Consumer portal  130  receives the information and updates the information record in which the information for user  101  is stored. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, user  101  submits a new work telephone number, but it will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which any item of information received at task  310  is updated. 
     At task  520 , in a well-known fashion, consumer portal  130  notifies the business organization associated with terminal  140  of the updated work telephone number. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, the notification comprises sending a message to terminal  140  urging it to request the updated telephone number. However, it will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which the updated address of user  101  is transmitted directly. Furthermore, it will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which the disclosure of the updated information by consumer portal  130  is subject to the rules for the sharing of information described in the discussion with respect to  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 6  depicts a flowchart of the salient sub-tasks associated with the execution of task  240 -A. It will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to perform the tasks associated with  FIG. 6  in a different order than represented or to perform one or more of the tasks concurrently. Furthermore, it will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention that omit one or more of the tasks. 
     At task  610 , consumer portal  130  identifies the submitter of the request for information received at task  230 -A. As stated above, the submitter of the request is the business organization associated with terminal  140 . In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, identification of the submitter is contained in the request for information. However, it will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which the submitter of the request is identified through alternative means, such as, for example, and without limitation, searching the Internet Protocol (IP) address of terminal  140  in a database and matching it to an identifier of the owner of the Internet Protocol (IP) address (i.e. the business organization associated with terminal  140 ). 
     At task  620 , consumer portal  130  identifies the information requested by the business organization and creates a preliminary response to the request which includes all of the requested information. Because the request is for the contact information of user  101 , consumer portal  130  prepares a preliminary response that includes both the telephone number and email of user  101 . 
     At task  630 , consumer portal  130  determines whether user  101  has specified any rules for the sharing of his telephone number and email. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, consumer portal  130  determines that user  101  has specified a rule for the sharing of his or her telephone number which, as stated in the discussion with respect to task  420 , prohibits consumer portal  130  from sharing the telephone number in response to requests associated with telemarketing. 
     At task  640 , consumer portal  130  determines whether the identified rule applies. In particular, consumer portal  130  determines whether the indication of a reason for which the information is sought received at task  230 -A can be interpreted as an indication that the information is sought in connection with telemarketing. As previously discussed, in the illustrative embodiment, the indication of a reason for which the information is sought is an alphanumeric string. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, consumer portal  130  compares the string, which constitutes the indication of a reason for which the information is sought, to a list of indications of reasons for which information is sought that are known to indicate the seeking of information in connection with a telemarketing event. However, it will be clear to those skilled in the art, after reading this disclosure, how to make and use alternative embodiments of the present invention in which consumer portal  130  determines that the requested for information is made in connection with a telemarketing even by alternative means, such as, for example, and without limitation, latent semantic indexing (LSI). Upon a positive determination that the rule identified at task  630  applies, consumer portal  130  proceeds to execute task  650 . Otherwise, consumer portal  130  proceeds to execute task  660 . 
     At task  650 , consumer portal  130  removes from the preliminary response information that the portal is prohibited from providing to the submitter of the request for information under the rule analyzed at task  640 . In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, consumer portal  130  removes the telephone number of user  101  from the preliminary response prepared at task  620 . 
     At task  660 , consumer portal  130  determines the existence of additional rules for the sharing of the requested information. Upon a positive determination, consumer portal  130  proceeds to execute task  630 . Otherwise, the portal executes task  670 . 
     At task  670 , consumer portal  130 , in a well-known fashion, transmits the preliminary response to terminal  140 . 
     It is to be understood that the disclosure teaches just one example of the illustrative embodiment and that many variations of the invention can easily be devised by those skilled in the art after reading this disclosure and that the scope of the present invention is to be determined by the following claims.