Caller-Specific Group Number for Secure Telephony Access
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current telecommunication methods for accessing a group of subscribers using a common phone number fail to adequately protect privacy and integrity, as the group number can be used by any caller and individual subscriber numbers are exposed.
Innovation Solution
A call manager node assigns a caller-specific group number that can only be used by the authorized caller for accessing a group of subscribers, ensuring exclusive access and maintaining subscriber privacy by not exposing individual numbers, with optional rules for controlling usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a common group number is used for accessing multiple subscribers, then ease of operation is improved, but security and privacy are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the single common group number into multiple caller-specific group numbers. Each caller receives a unique group number that is assigned specifically to them, thereby maintaining ease of operation while improving security. The call manager node divides the access control function by creating personalized access paths for different callers.
Solution Approach 2:
The call manager node acts as an intermediary between the caller and the subscriber group. It mediates the access by assigning a caller-specific group number and controlling the iterative calling process. This intermediary function ensures that the caller can access the group without exposing individual subscriber numbers, thus maintaining both ease of operation and security.
2Ease of operation
If a common group number is used for accessing multiple subscribers, then ease of operation is improved, but integrity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The call manager node serves as an intermediary that protects subscriber information integrity. It enables the caller to access the subscriber group through a caller-specific group number without exposing individual subscriber numbers. The intermediary controls the information flow, ensuring that only necessary information is revealed while maintaining the integrity of subscriber data.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the subscriber identification function from the group number itself. Instead of using a single group number that implicitly identifies all subscribers, the system extracts the individual subscriber identification and replaces it with a caller-specific group number that does not expose subscriber identities. This extraction protects the integrity of subscriber information.
3Adaptability or versatility
If individual subscriber numbers are exposed to the caller, then adaptability is improved, but privacy is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The call manager node acts as an intermediary that provides adaptability without compromising privacy. It enables the caller to access different subscribers in the group iteratively through a caller-specific group number, maintaining versatility in communication while protecting subscriber privacy by never exposing individual numbers.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a functional copy of the group access capability through the caller-specific group number. This copy provides the same adaptability as knowing individual numbers would, allowing the caller to reach any subscriber in the group, but without revealing the actual subscriber numbers. The copy maintains functionality while protecting privacy.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and a call manager node (200) for handling calls directed to a group of subscribers. When receiving (2:3) a request from a caller (202) for access to a first group of subscribers (204) having at least one common characteristic, the call manager node assigns (2:4) first caller-specific temporary group number (A1) for the caller, wherein the first group number can be used exclusively by the caller for calling the subscribers in the first group. The call manager node further sends (2:5) the first group number to the caller in response to the request. The caller is then connected (2:7, 2:9, 2:11) to a subscriber in the first group sequentially or according to a scheme each time the caller dials (2:6, 2:8, 2:10) the first group number. The group is created according to a criteria and the anonymity of the called parties is kept. Call hunting.