Callback Confirmation via Verification Code

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current communication systems lack a reliable method to confirm the initiation of callback requests, which can lead to unauthorized or unwanted connections, particularly in performance-based advertising scenarios where advertisers pay for measurable events such as clicks or calls.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that involve sending a confirmation code to the destination device via a data channel, such as SMS or email, requiring the user to verify the request before establishing a connection, thereby ensuring that the request is authorized and reducing intrusiveness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If a callback connection is initiated without confirmation, then the connection establishment speed is improved, but the reliability of authorized connection is degraded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection establishment speedVSAvoidauthorized connection reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system sends a confirmation code to the destination device before establishing the callback connection. This preliminary action requires the destination user to verify and approve the connection request, ensuring authorized connection while maintaining a relatively fast establishment process after confirmation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If a confirmation code is sent via data channel before callback, then the unauthorized connection prevention is improved, but the device complexity is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveunauthorized connection preventionVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces a confirmation code as an intermediary verification mechanism between the source and destination devices. This mediator (confirmation code sent via SMS or email) provides reliable unauthorized connection prevention without requiring complex changes to the core callback infrastructure, thus limiting the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If traditional callback without confirmation is used, then the ease of operation is improved, but the harmful factors generated are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecallback operation simplicityVSAvoidunsolicited calls

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where the destination device receives and must respond to a confirmation code before the callback connection is established. This feedback loop prevents unsolicited calls by ensuring the destination user explicitly approves the connection, while maintaining ease of operation through simple confirmation processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS9462121B2Systems and methods to confirm initiation of a callback

Publication Date: 2016.10.04 THRYV INC

AI summary

Methods and apparatuses to initiate callback with confirmation. In one embodiment, a method includes: receiving a reference (e.g., a callback phone number) in a request for a connection to a destination; providing a code via the reference in response to the request; receiving a code to confirm the request; determining whether the received code matches the provided code; and initiating a connection via the reference for the connection to the destination if the received code matches the provided code.