Caller Information Provision via Network Query

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions for providing caller information during a call in a mobile communication network are inadequate, particularly when the caller is unknown, as they require pre-installed applications and can be hindered by limited network coverage, leading to delayed information retrieval and potential failure in displaying caller details.

Innovation Solution

A method and system where a connection control unit initiates a query to a server with identity information of both subscribers upon call connection, allowing the server to obtain and provide caller information to the callee only when the call is in a ringing state, ensuring timely delivery and canceling the information provision if the call state changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If a query is initiated towards a network element to retrieve caller information, then information on unknown callers can be provided to the callee, but the arrangement requires an application to be installed in the user equipment which increases device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecaller informationVSAvoidapplication installation
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The network element (connection control unit) automatically initiates queries to retrieve caller information without requiring any application installation or user action. The system serves itself by having the network infrastructure handle information retrieval natively during call setup, eliminating the need for additional client software on user devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The connection control unit acts as an intermediary between the network and the caller information retrieval process. It receives the call, initiates the query to obtain caller details, and facilitates the information delivery to the callee without requiring the callee's device to have any special application installed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of information

If caller information is retrieved during the call setup process, then information can be provided to the callee, but when network coverage is limited the retrieval takes too long causing delay while the call is already ringing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecaller informationVSAvoidcall setup time
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The connection control unit initiates the caller information query immediately upon receiving the call connection, before the call is fully established and before the ringing state begins. This preliminary action ensures that information retrieval starts as early as possible in the call setup sequence, minimizing any potential delay.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system monitors the call state and uses feedback from the ringing state detection to control information delivery. The connection control unit receives feedback about the call progression and adjusts the information provision timing accordingly, canceling information provision if the call state changes from ringing to answered or rejected.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If the user equipment restricts giving the MSISDN of the caller to the installed application, then security is maintained, but the application cannot identify the caller MSISDN to perform a query on the network node

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesecurityVSAvoidcaller identification
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The connection control unit in the network performs the caller identification function natively using the MSISDN it already has access to during call setup. The system does not need to share MSISDN with any client application, as the network element itself executes the query and retrieves the caller information, maintaining security while achieving identification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The connection control unit serves as an intermediary that has access to both the MSISDN and the query functionality. It receives the MSISDN as part of the call setup, uses it to query the network element for caller information, and then delivers the resulting information to the callee without exposing the MSISDN to any client application.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3216199B1Provision of caller information
Publication Date: 2021.04.07 TELIASONERA AB
  • EP3216199B1 patent drawingFigure 1~6
  • EP3216199B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3216199B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method for providing information relating to a subscriber A in a call connection establishment initiated by the subscriber A to a subscriber B (120). The method comprises the steps of: receiving a call connection (115) in a connection control unit (130); initiating a query (135, 225, 325, 430) to a server (140); obtaining information (145) relating to the subscriber A (110) from a database (150); and providing (165) the obtained information relating to the subscriber A (110) to the subscriber B (120). The invention relates also to a system and a server implementing at least some steps of the method according to the invention.