Call Status Determination via Security Certificate Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users are unable to verify the security of telephone connections, making them hesitant to provide sensitive information due to concerns about man-in-the-middle attacks and unauthorized access, as existing security measures like encryption do not provide clear connection status notifications to callers.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented system and method that collects metadata from incoming and outgoing calls to determine the presence of a security certificate, providing notifications to users about the call connection status, allowing them to decide whether to continue or end the call based on the security of the connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If encryption is used to secure telephone connections, then security is improved, but users cannot verify the security status of the connection
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by providing users with visual indicators (lock icons, color-coded displays) that show whether a call connection is secure or not secure. This feedback loop allows users to verify the security status of their connection in real-time, resolving the contradiction between maintaining security through encryption and providing visibility of security status to users.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary verification system that acts as a mediator between the encryption protocol and the user. This intermediary component analyzes the security certificate and connection status, then translates this technical information into user-friendly visual indicators, allowing users to understand connection security without needing to understand the underlying encryption mechanisms.
2Measurement precision
If caller ID is used to identify the calling party, then identification is improved, but users cannot determine if the connection is secure or if the caller is trusted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges caller identification with security verification by combining the caller ID display with additional security indicators. Instead of showing only the caller's name and number, the system integrates security certificates, trust verification status, and connection security indicators into the same display interface, allowing users to assess both identity and security simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The display system is designed to serve multiple functions: it identifies the caller, verifies security certificates, checks trust relationships, and indicates connection security status all in one unified interface. This multi-functional approach resolves the contradiction by providing comprehensive information without requiring separate systems for identification and security verification.
3Reliability
If security certificates are required for all calls, then security verification is improved, but device complexity and implementation difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements partial security verification by requiring security certificates only for calls that need enhanced security (such as calls involving sensitive information), rather than mandating certificates for all calls. The system gracefully handles calls with or without certificates, providing security verification where needed while maintaining compatibility with traditional telephone systems, thus reducing overall implementation complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of security verification from a binary requirement (certificate present or absent) to a multi-level system that evaluates different aspects of security (certificate presence, certificate validity, trust relationships, encryption status). This parameter transformation allows the system to provide comprehensive security verification while maintaining flexibility and reducing complexity by handling different security levels appropriately.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented system and method for call status determination is provided. A request for verification of incoming calls to a party is received. An incoming call from a caller to that party is identified and metadata associated with the incoming call is obtained. An identification of the caller and whether a security certificate is present is determined from the metadata. A connection status of the call is determined based on one of a presence and absence of the security certificate. A notification of the connection status is provided to the party.