Systems and methods for generating and managing communication rules associated with geographic locations

Abstract

Disclosed herein are methods and systems for generating and managing communication rules associated with geographic locations. According to embodiments of the present disclosure, a method may include storing a communication rule associated with a geographic location and a user. The method also includes receiving a communication identifying the geographic location. Further, the method includes applying the communication rule for routing the communication to the user.

1 . A method comprising:
 storing a communication rule associated with a geographic location and a user;   receiving a communication identifying the geographic location, wherein the communication comprises a telephone call; and   applying the communication rule for routing the communication to the user.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the user is a verified property owner of the geographic location. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the user is a first user associated with the geographic location,
 wherein the method further comprises presenting to a second user an alias address for the first user for use in communicating with the first user at the geographic location, 
 wherein the communication identifies the alias address, and 
 wherein applying the communication rule comprises using the alias address for routing the communication to the first user. 
 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3  further comprising preventing the second user from accessing an actual address of the first user. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the communication rule specifies meeting one or more criteria for managing communications to be routed to the user. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5  wherein the geographic location is a first geographic location, and
 wherein the one or more criteria include one or more of: communications being from a predefined source, the communications being received at a predefined time, and the communications originating from a second geographic location. 
 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  further comprising determining whether the one or more criteria are met, and
 wherein applying the communication rule comprises routing the communication to the user in response to determining that the one or more criteria are met. 
 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 6  wherein the communication rule specifies selection of an address for routing the communication to the user based on meeting the one or more criteria,
 wherein the method further comprises determining whether the one or more criteria are met, and 
 wherein applying the communication rule comprises routing the communication to the user in response to determining that the one or more criteria are met. 
 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the communication rule specifies criteria for accepting communications to be routed to the user. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9  wherein the communication identifies at least one of a source and a time of receipt of the communication, and
 wherein the method further comprises:
 determining whether the at least one of the source and the time of receipt of the communication meets the criteria; and 
 in response to determining that the at least one of the source and the time of receipt of the communication meets the criteria, routing the communication to the user. 
 
 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10  further comprising:
 determining whether the source of the communication meets the criteria; and 
 in response to determining that the source meets the criteria, routing the communication to the user. 
 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein the criteria includes identification of an acceptable source for communications. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the geographic location is a first geographic location,
 wherein the communication rule specifies routing communications originating from a second geographic location to the user, 
 wherein the method further comprises determining whether the communication originated from the second geographic location, and 
 wherein applying the communication rule comprises routing the communication to the user in response to determining that the communication originated from the second geographic location. 
 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the first geographic location is adjacent to the second geographic location. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising receiving a second communication, wherein receiving the second communication comprises receiving at least one of a second telephone call, an email, a text message, and an instant message. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the communication rule specifies routing the communication to at least one of an email account and a telephone associated with the user, and
 wherein applying the communication rule comprises routing the communication to the at least one of the email account and the telephone associated with the user. 
 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the communication rule specifies routing the communication to one of two or more mobile devices located closest to the geographic location, and
 wherein applying the communication rule comprises routing the communication to the one of the two or more mobile devices located closest to the geographic location. 
 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the communication rule specifies a priority list of sources for routing communications to the user, and
 wherein applying the communication rule comprises routing the communication to the user in accordance with the priority list. 
 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1  further comprising receiving information for verifying that the user is a property owner of the geographic location. 
     
     
         20 - 26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . A system comprising:
 a communication interface configured to receive a telephonic communication identifying a geographic location;   a communication manager configured to:
 store a communication rule associated with the geographic location and a user; and 
 apply the communication rule for routing the communication to the user. 
   
     
     
         28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . A computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon computer executable instructions for performing the following steps:
 storing a communication rule associated with a geographic location and a user;   receiving from a smart phone a communication identifying the geographic location; and   applying the communication rule for routing the communication to the user.   
     
     
         30 . (canceled)