Captioned Telephone Service System with Original Number Display and Spam Call Blocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Captioned telephone service users face inconvenience due to the need to manage two phone numbers, with peers often confused about which number to use for captioned services, and users receiving unwanted spam calls directed to their CTS number.
Innovation Solution
The system provides an original number service and a call drop service, allowing users to elect to use their original phone number for captioned calls, with call forwarding set up to direct calls from the original number to the CTS number, and the option to drop calls directed to the CTS number to block spam calls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a CTS number is assigned to the user's equipment for captioned telephone service, then the user can receive captioned calls without calling the CTS provider separately, but the user receives unwanted spam calls directed to the CTS number
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the call handling function by introducing a call drop service that separates desired captioned calls from unwanted spam calls. The CTS server identifies and drops spam calls directed to the CTS number while allowing legitimate calls to proceed to the user's equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The CTS server acts as an intermediary between the network and the user's equipment. It receives calls directed to the CTS number, determines whether they are spam or legitimate, and either drops them or forwards them to the user's equipment, thus protecting the user from spam while maintaining service functionality.
2Extent of automation
If the CTS provider assigns a CTS number to the user's equipment, then captioned services can be provided automatically, but peers are confused about which number to use for captioned services
Solution Approach 1:
The CTS number serves multiple functions: it is used for automatic captioned service provision and simultaneously displayed as the caller ID for outgoing calls. This multi-functionality allows peers to use the same number for both regular and captioned calls without confusion.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides feedback to the network by sending the user's original phone number as the caller ID for outgoing calls made through the CTS number. This ensures that the peer sees a familiar number and understands which number to use for initiating captioned calls.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the user uses their own communications device for captioned telephone service, then the user can use familiar equipment, but the user has to make an additional call to the CTS provider
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the CTS service functionality with the user's personal communications device by installing a CTS application on it. The device handles both regular calls and captioned calls through the same interface, eliminating the need for separate CTS provider calls and reducing time loss.
Data Source
AI summary
A captioned telephone service (CTS) system for blocking spam calls includes a CTS server and a database. A CTS user's equipment is associated with a CTS number and an original phone number. The CTS server is configured to allow the user to elect to use an original number service and a call drop service. If the original number service is set, when the user places a phone call to a peer by using the CTS number, the original phone number, instead of the CTS number, is displayed as caller identification on a communications device of the peer. The CTS server assists the user to set up call forwarding and checks whether the call forwarding was successfully set. If the call drop service is set, the CTS server drops a call, directed to the CTS number. However, emergent calls or emergency related calls are excluded from the call drop service.