Call Challenger System Keyword Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing number of unwanted robocalls, which are often fraudulent and difficult to block due to caller ID spoofing, burdens mobile networks and consumers, leading to energy consumption issues and frustration, with existing solutions failing to effectively address calls originating from outside jurisdictions where U.S. laws do not apply.
Innovation Solution
A call challenger system that intercepts incoming calls by prompting the caller to provide an audible response, converts it to text, and compares it to a user-provided keyword, allowing or blocking the call based on a match score, thereby preventing unwanted calls from connecting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional call blocking methods are used, then some unwanted calls are filtered, but fraudulent robocalls with spoofed caller ID can still penetrate through
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary verification by prompting the caller to speak a keyword before the call is fully connected. This preliminary action occurs at the call setup stage, allowing the system to identify and block fraudulent calls before they can cause harm, rather than relying solely on post-connection filtering methods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary verification mechanism between the caller and the called party. Instead of directly connecting calls based on caller ID alone, the system inserts a keyword verification step that acts as a mediator to authenticate the caller's identity and intent, thereby blocking spoofed fraudulent calls while allowing legitimate ones through
2Reliability
If all incoming calls are allowed to connect, then no legitimate calls are missed, but mobile network energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary filtering by requiring callers to speak a keyword before full connection is established. This preliminary action allows the mobile device to block unwanted calls at the network level before they consume significant device energy, while ensuring no legitimate calls are missed by maintaining full connection capability for those that pass verification
Solution Approach 2:
The caller themselves provides the verification by speaking the keyword, eliminating the need for the called party's device to expend energy analyzing or filtering each incoming call. The verification process is self-service in nature, requiring minimal processing on the mobile device while still achieving effective filtering
3Reliability
If keyword verification is required for all calls, then fraudulent calls are blocked, but legitimate calls may be incorrectly challenged
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies keyword verification selectively rather than universally. By using partial action, the verification is applied only when there is suspicion of fraud or based on user preferences, allowing most legitimate calls to pass through without challenge while still blocking fraudulent ones. This avoids the excessive action of verifying every single call
Solution Approach 2:
The system can adjust parameters such as the keyword itself, the verification threshold, and user preferences to optimize the balance between blocking fraud and maintaining legitimate call flow. By changing these parameters dynamically or based on call patterns, the system adapts to reduce false positives while maintaining fraud detection effectiveness
Data Source
AI summary
A call challenger can receive a user input from a called party identity to opt-in to a call challenge service, and a second user input of a keyword. When the call challenger receives a call directed to a user equipment of the called party identity, the call challenger can prompt the calling party to provide an audible response. In response to a receipt of the audible response, the call challenger can convert the audible response to a text. The call challenger can compare the text with the keyword to determine if there is a sufficient match. In response to the determining the output of the comparing does not satisfy a threshold match score, the call challenger can prevent the call from connecting with the user equipment.