Call Destination Reputation Indicators for Scam Protection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Consumers are unable to ascertain the characteristics of call destinations before making a call, leading to unexpected charges and scams, as existing technologies lack effective mechanisms for providing information on call destination reputation and potential charges.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that provide call-destination information to callers through a processing unit linked to a call-destination information source, generating indicators based on characteristics such as reputation and charges, allowing callers to make informed decisions before connecting.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If caller ID and call blocking features are offered, then consumer protection against scams is improved, but the ability to provide useful information about call destination reputation remains insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconsumer protection against scamsVSAvoidcall destination reputation information
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a reputation server as an intermediary component that mediates between the telephony network and consumers. This server collects, stores, and provides reputation information about call destinations, filling the information gap that caller ID and call blocking features alone cannot address. The reputation server acts as a mediator that translates complex reputation data into actionable consumer information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by collecting and storing reputation information about call destinations before consumers place calls. The reputation server proactively gathers data about call destinations, including scam patterns and consumer feedback, and makes this information available in advance so consumers can make informed decisions before initiating calls.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If telephony service plans provide unlimited domestic calling, then consumer convenience is improved, but consumers cannot anticipate charges for specific destinations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveunlimited calling convenienceVSAvoidcall charge information
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the reputation server provides real-time or near-real-time information to consumers about the charging characteristics of call destinations. When a consumer intends to place a call, the system queries the reputation server, which returns information about whether the destination charges fees, allowing consumers to adjust their calling behavior accordingly while maintaining the overall unlimited calling plan structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If consumers make additional calls to regulatory agencies or consumer organizations to ascertain entity reputation, then information accuracy is improved, but time consumption and operational complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveentity reputation accuracyVSAvoidtime to ascertain reputation
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple reputation assessment functions into a single integrated system. Instead of requiring consumers to separately contact regulatory agencies, consumer organizations, and other entities to gather reputation information, the reputation server consolidates these functions by collecting data from multiple sources and presenting a unified reputation assessment to consumers through a single interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service by automatically collecting, processing, and providing reputation information without requiring consumers to manually contact other organizations. The reputation server autonomously gathers data from various sources, processes it, and makes it readily available to consumers, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual inquiry processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS8199893B2System and methods for disclosing call destination characteristic
Publication Date: 2012.06.12 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION
  • US8199893B2 patent drawing
  • US8199893B2 patent drawing
  • US8199893B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A system is provided for use by a caller placing a call with a calling device over a communications network linking a plurality of call destinations. The system includes a call-destination information source containing one or more call-destination characteristics associated one or more call destinations. The system further includes a processing unit communicatively linked to the call-destination information source. The processing unit generates one or more call-destination character indicators based on the one or more call-destination characteristics. A call-destination character indicator is generated in response to the system receiving call-destination identifier that identifies a particular call destination.