Caller ID Alert System for Unrecognized Numbers

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Solution Overview

Problem

In communications networks, there is a need to alert an alert party when a calling party's information is unavailable or unrecognized in the contact list of the receiving party, especially for protecting users from unknown or unwanted communications.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that receive a message from a calling party, perform a database lookup using an identifier associated with the message, and send an alert to the alert party if the calling party's information is not recognized, allowing the alert party to authorize or deny further communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If Caller ID information is displayed for all calls, then the receiving party can identify the calling party, but the system cannot protect against unrecognized or unwanted callers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecalling party information availabilityVSAvoidcommunication security

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an alert party as an intermediary between the calling party and the receiving party. When a call comes from an unrecognized number, the system sends an alert message to the alert party (e.g., parent) who can then authorize or block the communication. This mediator resolves the contradiction by maintaining information availability while adding a security layer for unrecognized callers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of information

If ANI lookup is performed for every call, then the calling party information is always available, but the system complexity and processing time increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecalling party information availabilityVSAvoidsystem processing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies partial action by performing ANI lookup only when necessary - specifically when the calling party's number is not recognized by the receiving party. Instead of checking every call, the system checks only unrecognized numbers, reducing processing complexity while maintaining information availability when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The receiving party's device autonomously determines whether to perform an ANI lookup by checking if the calling number is in its contact list. This self-service approach eliminates the need for complex centralized control logic, reducing system complexity while ensuring information is retrieved only when required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If alert is sent for every call, then the alert party is always informed, but the alert party experiences information overload

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication protectionVSAvoidalert party convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by differentiating the alerting behavior based on the calling party's recognition status. Recognized callers do not trigger alerts, while unrecognized callers do trigger alerts. This localized approach to alerting ensures protection is applied only where needed, preventing information overload while maintaining reliability for unrecognized callers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS10542138B2Information provided to parent regarding a called for child protection

Publication Date: 2020.01.21 FIRST ORION CORP AKA FIRST ORION CORP D B A PRIVACYSTAR

AI summary

The present disclosure describes a system, method, and computer readable medium for providing information of a calling party to an alert party, wherein the calling party is in communication with the receiving party in a communications network. The method includes receiving a message from a calling party to a receiving party and performing a lookup of information relating to the calling party in a database, wherein the lookup is based on an identifier associated with the message, Thereafter, an alert is sent to the alert party if the calling party information is unavailable in a contact list of the receiving party.