Caller Identifier Notification for Unlisted Numbers
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Solution Overview
Problem
When a caller attempts to call a callee whose number is not stored in the callee's address book, the callee is often unaware of the caller's identity, leading to unanswered calls, as only the caller's number is displayed, and users tend to avoid unknown numbers.
Innovation Solution
The called device determines if an identifier of the caller, such as a name or nickname, is accessible and, if not, sends a notification to the caller with the option for the callee to manually confirm whether to transmit a message requesting the caller's identity, allowing the caller to send a message with their name or purpose, thereby informing the callee before answering.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If the called device automatically displays only the caller's telephone number, then the device operation is simple and fast, but the callee cannot identify the caller's identity leading to unanswered calls
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by detecting whether the caller's identifier is stored in the called device's address book before the call is answered. If the identifier is not found, the system proactively transmits a notification to the calling device requesting the caller's identity information, rather than waiting for the call to be answered or using complex real-time identification methods.
Solution Approach 2:
A notification message serves as an intermediary between the called device and the calling device. This notification is transmitted through the communications network to request caller identity information, facilitating communication between the two devices without requiring direct interaction or complex authentication protocols.
2Reliability
If the called device transmits a notification requesting caller identity, then the callee can identify the caller, but the communication process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system checks the address book and transmits the notification request during the call setup phase, before the actual call connection is established. This preliminary action ensures that the caller has time to respond to the notification without delaying the call connection itself, maintaining both reliability and speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The calling device is empowered to self-serve by automatically transmitting its caller identifier information in response to receiving the notification from the called device. This eliminates the need for manual intervention or complex interaction protocols, reducing time loss while ensuring accurate identification.
3Reliability
If the caller's identifier is not in the address book, then privacy is maintained, but the callee cannot recognize legitimate callers
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic caller identification by having the calling device automatically transmit its identifier information when requested. This eliminates the need for the callee to manually manage address books or remember contact details, while still maintaining privacy by only requesting information from devices that initiate calls.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the called device sends a notification request, the calling device responds with its identifier, and the called device receives and processes this information. This closed-loop feedback ensures reliable caller recognition while keeping the interface simple and automatic for the user.
Data Source
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AI summary
During an attempt by a caller using a calling device (102) to call a callee using a called device (104) over a communications network and prior to the callee answering the call, the called device (104) determines if an identifier of the caller using the calling device (102) is accessible at the called device (104). If an identifier of the caller using the calling device (102) is determined not to be accessible at the called device (104), the called device (104) transmits to the calling device (102) a notification indicating that an identifier of the caller is not accessible at the called device (104). This allows the caller to enter a message on the calling device (102) to be transmitted to the called device (104).