Caller ID Extraction via Call Forwarding to Toll-Free Numbers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Non-Inward WATS subscribers, who do not have toll-free numbers, often cannot receive caller identification information, making it difficult to determine the identity of calling parties, especially in emergency situations, due to the inability to access ANI services and the susceptibility of caller ID information to blocking and spoofing.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that forwards calls from non-Inward WATS phone numbers to an Inward WATS phone number, allowing ANI information to be extracted and provided to the called party, either through voicemail, email, or conversion to Caller ID, enabling timely identification of the calling party.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If Caller ID information is used to identify calling parties, then the called party can receive caller identification information at low cost, but the information can be blocked or spoofed making it unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system (the service provider's network infrastructure) that sits between the calling party and called party. This intermediary captures ANI information from the calling party and delivers it to the called party, ensuring the information comes from a trusted source rather than being directly provided by the caller, thus preventing spoofing and blocking attacks
2Reliability
If ANI service is used to capture calling party information, then reliable caller identification is provided, but the service is only available to Inward WATS subscribers with toll-free numbers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the ANI information delivery capability universally available to all subscribers regardless of whether they have toll-free numbers. The service provider implements this at the network level, allowing any called party to receive ANI information from any calling party, thus extending a previously exclusive service to general use
3Reliability
If the called party forwards calls to an Inward WATS number to access ANI information, then reliable caller identification is obtained, but the called party must pay for incoming calls
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automatic call forwarding and ANI information delivery without requiring the called party to manually intervene or pay for incoming calls. The service provider's system automatically captures ANI information and delivers it to the called party through their existing infrastructure, making the service self-serve and eliminating additional costs for the user
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the invention comprise a device, system, and method of receiving a phone call to a non-Inward WATS phone number, such as a typical non-toll free phone number, forwarding the phone call to a carrier capable of reading ANI information associated with the call, and providing ANI information to the called party. The providing of ANI information may be by way of forwarding to a toll-free number of a provider and populating caller ID data with ANI information before forwarding to the called party, or by way of forwarding the call to a provider with the ANI information, whereby the provider forwards the call and information gleaned from the ANI information to the called party.