Automated Call Routing via Frequency Time Series Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Automated telephone calls are difficult to detect and block within communications networks, often requiring users to employ specific equipment or systems to avoid disturbances, and existing methods may not effectively differentiate between legitimate and nuisance calls.

Innovation Solution

A method that generates a call frequency time series to classify calls based on features such as transitions from quiet to busy periods and vice versa, using a sliding window detector and Mahalanobis distance to identify automated calls, and routes further calls accordingly, either to a voicemail server or the original destination.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If users employ telephone answering machines or systems to block calls from unidentified numbers or blacklisted numbers, then automated calls can be blocked, but users must take significant action or acquire specific equipment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomated call disturbancesVSAvoiduser action requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The network performs automated call detection and classification autonomously by analyzing call frequency time series patterns, eliminating the need for users to manually configure blocking systems or answer machines. The network self-services the harmful factor by automatically identifying and routing automated calls without user intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary analysis of call frequency patterns to classify calls as automated or manual before they reach the user. By analyzing transitions between quiet and busy periods in advance, the network can pre-rout automated calls to appropriate destinations, preventing them from disturbing users.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Object-affected harmful factors

If existing blocking systems are used, then some automated calls can be blocked, but the systems are complex and require user configuration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomated call blockingVSAvoidblocking system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system transforms the detection approach by changing from analyzing individual call characteristics to analyzing temporal patterns in call frequency. By converting call data into time series representations and analyzing transitions between quiet and busy periods, the system achieves automated detection through parameter transformation rather than complex rule-based blocking.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention replaces mechanical/user-based blocking systems with an automated analytical system. Instead of relying on users to configure filters or answer machines, the network uses computational analysis of call frequency patterns to automatically identify and route automated calls, substituting manual operations with automated data processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If call frequency time series analysis is performed to detect automated calls, then automated calls can be effectively classified, but processing time and computational resources are required

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomated call detection accuracyVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the call frequency data into discrete time intervals and identifies transitions between quiet and busy periods. By dividing the continuous call stream into manageable temporal segments and analyzing characteristic variations within these segments, the system achieves accurate classification while optimizing processing efficiency through structured data organization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3977715B1Routing of automated calls in a communicatons network
Publication Date: 2024.12.18 BRITISH TELECOM PLC
  • EP3977715B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3977715B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3977715B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

There is provided a mechanism that allows automated calls made from a set of one or more numbers to be detected and routed in an appropriate manner. The calls are classified based, at least in part, on one or more features of a call frequency time series that is generated from data representing a plurality of calls previously made from a set of one or more numbers by determining a respective number of calls made by the set of numbers during each of a plurality of time intervals. The classification indicates whether the calls include automated calls. Further calls from the set of numbers are routed in accordance with the classification.