Call Authentication via Forwarding Intermediary
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing caller ID blocking applications are ineffective in verifying the authenticity of incoming calls due to spoofing, leading to false positives and false negatives, as they only validate the number displayed but not the entity making the call.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing call forwarding to redirect calls to a third-party server for verification, where a processor executes an application to authenticate messages and manage call forwarding activation and deactivation based on legitimate call events, ensuring that only authorized calls are connected to the recipient's device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If caller ID blocking applications are used to validate incoming calls, then the number of illegitimate calls can be reduced, but the accuracy of call verification deteriorates due to spoofing leading to false positives and false negatives
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary verification server that acts as a mediator between the caller and the recipient. This server receives the incoming call, verifies the caller's identity through authentication mechanisms (such as verifying caller ID against a database of legitimate numbers), and then either connects or blocks the call. This intermediary layer solves the spoofing problem by adding a verification step without requiring changes to existing caller ID technology.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary verification of the caller's identity before the call is connected to the recipient. The verification server checks the caller ID, authentication tokens, or other verification data in advance of the actual call connection. This preliminary action allows legitimate calls to be approved beforehand, preventing illegitimate calls from reaching the recipient while avoiding false positives.
2Reliability
If call forwarding is activated to redirect calls to a verification server, then call authentication capability is improved, but device complexity and operational steps increase
Solution Approach 1:
The verification server provides self-service functionality by automatically managing the call forwarding process. When a call comes in, the server autonomously determines whether to forward it based on pre-configured verification rules and real-time authentication checks. The system self-manages the forwarding state without requiring manual user intervention to activate or deactivate forwarding for each call, reducing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The call forwarding mechanism is made dynamic rather than static. The forwarding state changes automatically based on verification outcomes: calls are forwarded to the verification server for authentication, approved calls are then forwarded to the recipient, and rejected calls are blocked. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt the forwarding behavior in real-time based on authentication results, improving reliability without requiring complex manual management.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention may verify calls to a telephone device by activating call forwarding to redirect calls for the telephone device to a prescribed destination; receiving a message from a server verifying the call; deactivating call forwarding to receive the call; and reactivating call forwarding when the call is concluded. In another embodiment, the invention may, in response to a telephone device initiating a call to a second telephone device installed with a particular application or software, transmit a message to a server causing it to instruct the second telephone device to deactivate call forwarding. In yet another embodiment, the invention may cause a server to receive a message from a prescribed location indicating that a call was received via call forwarding, and in response to the message, transmit an instruction to the intended recipient to deactivate the call forwarding if the call is verified as legitimate.