Multi-User Call Blocking List via Collective Threshold
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems lack an effective method to handle incoming calls from undesirable sources, such as telemarketers, across multiple recipients, as existing solutions like the National Do Not Call Registry are limited in scope and require individual registration, failing to provide comprehensive blocking mechanisms for groups or categories of users.
Innovation Solution
A system that determines whether a call source should be blocked based on user indications, adding the source to a list when a threshold of blocking requests is met, allowing for special handling of calls, including blocking or forwarding with additional information, and applying these settings to individual or group categories.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If individual recipients register with the National Do Not Call Registry, then calls from undesirable sources are blocked for that individual, but the blocking mechanism cannot be applied to groups or categories of users
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges individual blocking indications into a collective list that can be shared across multiple recipients. When one user adds a call source to the list, the blocking information is combined and made available to other users in the system, creating a unified blocking mechanism that serves multiple purposes simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The call source list serves multiple functions: it blocks calls for individual users who added the source, applies blocking to group members automatically, and provides a universal reference for undesirable call sources across the entire system. This multi-functionality resolves the contradiction by making the blocking mechanism applicable to both individuals and groups.
2Reliability
If call recipients manually add call sources to block lists, then specific undesirable callers are blocked, but the process requires individual registration and is not comprehensive
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically applies blocking based on indications received from users. When a user adds a call source to the list, the system automatically propagates this blocking instruction to appropriate recipients without requiring manual configuration on each recipient's end, simplifying the operation while maintaining reliable blocking.
Solution Approach 2:
The system receives feedback from users in the form of blocking indications and uses this feedback to automatically update and propagate blocking lists. This feedback mechanism ensures reliable blocking effectiveness while eliminating the need for complex manual registration processes on each user's device.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a list of blocked call sources is maintained for multiple users, then comprehensive blocking can be applied, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the blocking list into categories (e.g., national do-not-call registry, individual user lists, group-specific lists). This segmentation allows the system to manage multiple user requirements separately while maintaining an organized structure, reducing the complexity of processing and maintaining the comprehensive blocking list.
Data Source
AI summary
Enabling handling of incoming phone calls includes receiving an indication from one or more call recipients reflecting a desire to block future calls from a call source. A number of received indications reflecting a desire to block future calls from the call source is determined and compared to a threshold. An identifier of the call source is added to a list of call sources from which future calls are specially handled when the number of indications meets the threshold. Handling an incoming call from an undesired call source includes receiving an indication of a call placed to a call recipient. A source of the call is identified. Whether the identified call source is included in the list of call sources from which future calls are specially handled is determined. Special handling is applied to the call when the identified call source is included in the list.