eCall CLI Verification Using UE Data to Prevent Callback Spoofing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Third-party eCalls (TSP eCalls) lack the guarantee of transmitting and verifying the caller's identity (CLI), making it difficult to establish a reliable connection to the Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP) and susceptible to call ID spoofing, which can redirect callbacks to fraudsters.

Innovation Solution

Implement a CLI-analysis-module that analyzes additional data associated with the eCall, such as IMEI, VIN, and IMSI, using a database to determine and verify the caller's identity, ensuring secure transmission and minimizing spoofing risks.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If TSP eCalls are used to enable commercial services, then service versatility is improved, but CLI reliability deteriorates due to lack of guaranteed transmission and potential spoofing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice versatilityVSAvoidCLI reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a CLI verification mechanism that acts as an intermediary between the TSP eCall system and the PSAP. This mechanism validates the CLI information transmitted in eCalls by comparing it against a database of authorized CLI identifiers, thereby ensuring reliability without preventing the use of versatile TSP eCall services.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback loop where the CLI information transmitted in eCalls is verified against a database, and the validity result is used to determine whether to accept or reject the call. This feedback mechanism ensures that only calls with verified CLI information are processed, maintaining reliability while allowing service versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If CLI verification through database queries is implemented, then spoofing detection is improved, but system complexity increases due to additional analysis module and database requirements

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespoofing detectionVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent pre-configures a database with authorized CLI identifiers before the eCall process begins. This preliminary action allows the system to quickly verify CLI information during the call setup phase without requiring complex real-time analysis, thereby improving spoofing detection while minimizing additional system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts only the essential CLI verification function from the overall eCall system and implements it as a separate, focused analysis module. This extraction allows the verification mechanism to be implemented with minimal complexity while still providing effective spoofing detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Reliability

If CLI analysis module is added to verify eCalls, then call security is improved, but processing time increases due to additional verification steps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecall securityVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a partial verification approach where only the essential CLI identifier is checked against the database, rather than performing exhaustive verification of all call parameters. This partial action provides sufficient security improvement while minimizing the additional processing time required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP4432640B1Techniques to prevent spoofing and improvements of ecalls permitting a reliable call-back
Publication Date: 2026.05.06 DEUTSCHE TELEKOM AG
  • EP4432640B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4432640B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4432640B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Techniques for reliably performing eCalls by a CLI-analysis-module for eCalls comprising: obtaining an eCall by the CLI-analysis-module, the eCall having a first part with voice connection data and a second part with additional data associated with the UE, comprising a unique identifier to link an entry in a database; analyzing of the additional data by the CLI-analysis-module, the CLI-analysis-module using the information from the additional data to determine, confirm and/or establish as incorrect the CLI assigned to the eCall by means of a database query with regard to the additional data if CLI found correct, hence not spoofed, permitting ecall to establish callback thus avoiding that the callback is redirected to a fraudster.