Automated Call Screening and Helper Assistance System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies for blocking unwanted telephone calls, particularly robocalls, are ineffective due to continuous evolution by perpetrators, leading to significant costs and risks for individuals and the economy, with many resorting to not answering unknown calls due to lack of confidence in blocking software.

Innovation Solution

A computer system determines whether a caller is human by using screening questions and connects a helper to the call if requested by the callee, allowing for assistance and protection against fraudulent calls.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional robocall blocking technology is used, then some unwanted calls are blocked, but the blocking effectiveness continuously deteriorates as perpetrators adapt their methods

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverobocall blocking effectivenessVSAvoidperpetrator adaptation to evasion techniques

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adapts to changing robocall patterns by continuously monitoring call characteristics and updating blocking strategies in real-time, rather than relying on static blocklists that perpetrators can easily evade

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system incorporates feedback loops where blocked calls and evasion attempts are analyzed to improve future blocking effectiveness, creating a self-improving system that responds to perpetrator adaptations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Object-affected harmful factors

If people adopt a policy of never answering calls from unknown numbers, then protection against scams is improved, but the ability to receive legitimate calls from unknown numbers deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotection against telephone scamsVSAvoidmissed legitimate calls from unknown numbers

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces an intermediary screening process between the caller and callee, where a helper evaluates unknown callers and decides whether to connect them, preserving legitimate calls while blocking scams

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary screening of unknown callers before connecting them to the callee, using screening questions and helper evaluation to pre-verify call legitimacy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If screening questions are used to determine if a caller is human, then robocall filtering is improved, but call setup time and system complexity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverobocall identification accuracyVSAvoidcall screening system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses self-service mechanisms where the screening process is automated with pre-configured questions and automatic helper assignment, reducing the need for complex manual intervention while maintaining high identification accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Object-affected harmful factors

If helpers are connected to provide real-time assistance, then protection against fraud is improved, but call management complexity and time deterioration

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefraud protection during callsVSAvoidconference call management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The helper acts as an intermediary participant in the conference call, providing fraud protection expertise while the system automatically manages the complex conference call setup and coordination

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS20250097342A1Computer-automated system and method for obtaining assistance for telephone calls from unknown callers

Publication Date: 2025.03.20 STEINWINTER MARK

AI summary

A call, directed to a callee, is received from a caller. A computer system determines whether the caller is human. A computer system initiates a call to the callee only if the caller is determined to be human. If the callee initiates a request for help during the call, the system generates requests for help to a plurality of helpers associated with the callee. If any of the helpers accepts the request for help, the system connects that helper to the existing call between the caller and the callee, resulting in a conference call among the caller, callee, and helper.