Communication Connection Control for Unsolicited Call Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current solutions for preventing unsolicited communications (SPIT/UC) in VoIP and legacy networks are inadequate, as they primarily focus on VoIP networks and require changes in SIP signaling, affecting users across different network types and raising legal and liability concerns.

Innovation Solution

A communication connection establishment control system that uses supplementary services like blacklisting, whitelisting, authentication requests, and Turing tests to manage unsolicited communications across various networks, allowing users to create personalized profiles without requiring changes in SIP signaling or network infrastructure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If existing SPIT/UC prevention solutions are implemented, then VoIP network protection is improved, but network compatibility and ease of operation deteriorate due to requiring SIP signaling changes and affecting users across different network types

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveSPIT/UC prevention effectivenessVSAvoidnetwork compatibility and user configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the SPIT/UC prevention functionality into a separate, standalone module that operates independently of SIP signaling. This segmentation allows the solution to be applied universally across different network types (VoIP, PSTN, etc.) without requiring changes to existing signaling protocols, thereby maintaining network compatibility while providing effective protection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a universal SPIT/UC prevention mechanism that functions across multiple network types and protocols. By designing a protocol-independent solution that works with VoIP, PSTN, and other networks, it achieves multi-functionality without requiring network-specific modifications, thus improving ease of operation and compatibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If protocol-specific SPIT/UC prevention measures are implemented, then protection effectiveness is improved, but device complexity and difficulty of detecting and measuring increase due to requiring changes in SIP signaling

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveSPIT/UC protectionVSAvoidSIP signaling changes and infrastructure modifications
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the SPIT/UC prevention functionality from the SIP signaling protocol itself, creating a separate, independent mechanism. This extraction eliminates the need to modify complex SIP signaling procedures, thereby reducing device complexity and infrastructure changes while maintaining effective protection through a dedicated prevention module.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If comprehensive authentication and verification mechanisms are implemented, then SPIT/UC prevention is improved, but loss of time increases due to additional authentication steps for legitimate users

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveunsolicited communication preventionVSAvoidauthentication time for legitimate calls
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements partial authentication mechanisms that apply only to suspicious or unsolicited calls rather than all calls. By using heuristics and behavioral analysis to identify potential SPIT/UC attempts, the system applies authentication only when necessary, thereby preventing unsolicited communications while minimizing time loss for legitimate users who do not trigger the authentication mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP2409470B1Communication connection establishment control for preventing unsolicitated communication
Publication Date: 2013.02.20 NOKIA SOLUTIONS & NETWORKS OY
  • EP2409470B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2409470B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2409470B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There is proposed a mechanism for controlling a communication connection establishment to a subscriber using service comprising blacklisting, whitelisting, authentication request and/or Turing test for unsolicited communications prevention. Furthermore, there is proposed a management system used to configure a corresponding communication connection establishment control on the basis of an interface for the subscriber for defining a personalized communication connection establishment control profile.