Caller ID Verification via Active Call Database Query

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Solution Overview

Problem

The proliferation of unwanted telephone calls, particularly through robocalling, is exacerbated by caller ID spoofing, which masks the true identity of the calling party, making it difficult for recipients to effectively screen calls.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for verifying the caller ID field of an outbound telephone call by using an active call database to check if the telephone number provided in the caller ID corresponds to the calling party, involving the creation of an 'in use' message with a timestamp and querying the database to ensure the number is valid and recently in use.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If caller ID spoofing is used to mask the true identity of the calling party, then the ability to deceive the called party is improved, but the reliability of the caller ID field deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeception of called partyVSAvoidcaller ID field reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary verification of the caller ID field by checking if the calling party's telephone number is associated with the number in the caller ID field before allowing the call to proceed. This preliminary action prevents spoofed calls from reaching the called party, thereby maintaining caller ID reliability while not affecting legitimate calls.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary verification system that acts as a mediator between the calling party and the called party. This intermediary system checks the association between the calling party's number and the caller ID field, allowing only verified calls to pass through. This intermediary layer preserves caller ID reliability by filtering out spoofed information without requiring changes to the fundamental telephony infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If robust verification of caller ID field is implemented, then the reliability of call screening is improved, but the complexity of the telephone system increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecall screening reliabilityVSAvoidtelephone system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The verification system utilizes existing telephony infrastructure and databases that already contain information about telephone number associations. By querying these existing resources rather than creating new complex verification mechanisms, the system achieves reliable call screening while minimizing additional complexity. The system essentially makes the existing infrastructure serve the verification function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The verification mechanism is designed to work within the existing telephony framework, using universal databases and signaling protocols that are already present in modern telephone systems. By leveraging multi-functional existing components rather than adding dedicated verification hardware, the system achieves reliable call screening without significantly increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Measurement precision

If the caller ID field is verified against an active call database, then the accuracy of identifying legitimate calls is improved, but the processing time for call setup increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecaller ID verification accuracyVSAvoidcall setup time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs a focused verification check that queries only the specific association between the calling party's number and the caller ID field, rather than conducting a comprehensive analysis of all call parameters. This partial verification approach achieves sufficient accuracy for identifying legitimate calls while minimizing the time added to call setup, as it queries only the essential information needed for verification.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS10462292B1Anti-spoofing techniques for outbound telephone calls

Publication Date: 2019.10.29 RELAY INC

AI summary

Techniques are disclosed for verifying a caller ID field of an outbound telephone call. A termination service provider call server receives a call request from a calling endpoint. The call request includes a called endpoint telephone number, and a caller ID telephone number. The call request is forwarded to an inbound carrier call server servicing the called endpoint telephone number where it determines the termination service provider for the caller ID telephone number and sends a query back to the determined termination service provider to determine whether the caller ID telephone number is currently in use. The query includes the caller ID telephone number. The termination service provider call server determines whether the caller ID telephone number in the received query is currently in use. If the caller ID telephone number is not currently in use, it returns a fail message to the inbound carrier call server. If the caller ID telephone number is currently in use, it returns a pass message to the inbound carrier call server only if the caller ID telephone number has been currently in use for less than a predetermined time.