Anonymous Call Identity Assignment in Wireless Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication networks lack the ability to distinguish between different anonymous calling parties, making it difficult for called parties to determine whether to accept or reject incoming anonymous calls, as all anonymous calls are handled uniformly without any differentiation.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that assign a personal identity to anonymous calling parties, allowing called parties to differentiate between them by storing and retrieving assigned identities in a list, enabling supplementary services to treat anonymous calls differently based on these identities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If anonymous calling is enabled to protect calling party privacy, then calling party anonymity is improved, but called party's ability to distinguish between different anonymous callers deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments anonymous callers by assigning unique temporary identifiers to each anonymous calling party. Instead of treating all anonymous calls uniformly, the system divides them into distinguishable groups based on their assigned identifiers, allowing called parties to differentiate between multiple anonymous callers while maintaining their anonymity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism in the form of temporary identifiers that mediate between the calling party's desire for anonymity and the called party's need to distinguish callers. These identifiers act as intermediaries that provide differentiation without revealing personal information.
2Device complexity
If all anonymous calls are handled uniformly, then system simplicity is maintained, but called party's ability to make informed decisions about accepting calls deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by assigning temporary identifiers to anonymous callers before the call is answered. This allows the called party to see the identifier and make an informed decision about whether to accept the call, rather than having to decide blindly after the call is connected.
3Reliability
If no identification mechanism is provided for anonymous callers, then privacy protection is maximized, but the ability to track and manage anonymous calls deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing different levels of information to different parties. The calling party maintains full anonymity, the called party receives temporary identifiers for differentiation, and the network operator retains full identification capability for tracking and management purposes. Each party receives the appropriate level of information for their needs.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and apparatus at an apparatus for handling an incoming call (2:7, 3:7,4:7) originating from an anonymous calling party(100) where the anonymous calling party(100) can be identified on the basis of a personal identity assigned to the anonymous calling party(100), wherein the personal identity is assignable to the anonymous calling party(100) after a personal identity has been assigned to the anonymous calling party in response to a manually or automatically initiated assignment instruction, but without requiring any interaction from the anonymous calling party(100). The suggested method and apparatus are applicable in any type of wireless or fixed communications network which enables a calling party to register as an anonymous calling party.