Email Sender Identity Verification via SMS Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Email communication lacks a reliable method for verifying the identity of the sender, as email addresses do not necessarily reflect the actual name of the sender, and existing verification methods are inadequate in confirming the sender's ownership of a specific phone number.
Innovation Solution
A method using a Short Message Service (SMS) message to verify that the sender possesses a specific telephone number by generating a verification code, which is returned via SMS, and using this to create an authentication string that is included in the email, allowing the recipient to confirm the sender's identity through a server.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If email addresses are used for sender identification, then email communication is easy and accessible, but the reliability of sender identification deteriorates because email addresses do not necessarily reflect the actual name or identity of the sender
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary that mediates between the email system and phone number verification system. The server receives verification requests, sends SMS messages to confirm phone number ownership, and returns verification results to the email recipient. This intermediary resolves the contradiction by adding a reliable verification layer without disrupting the existing email communication flow.
2Reliability
If phone number verification is implemented to improve sender identification reliability, then trust and security in email communication are enhanced, but the complexity of the communication system increases due to additional verification steps
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by performing phone number verification in advance before the actual email communication takes place. The sender verifies their phone number with the server beforehand, and this verification result is stored and used for subsequent email transactions. This eliminates the need for real-time verification during email sending, reducing complexity while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The verification system employs self-service mechanisms where the sender themselves performs the verification by receiving and confirming an SMS message on their own phone. The system automatically sends the verification code and checks the result without requiring manual intervention from the recipient or additional complex verification procedures. This self-service approach simplifies the overall system while ensuring reliable verification.
3Measurement precision
If SMS verification is used to confirm phone number ownership, then the precision of sender verification is improved, but the time required for the verification process increases due to additional message exchanges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing phone number verification in advance before the actual email communication takes place. The sender verifies their phone number with the server beforehand, and this verification result is stored and used for subsequent email transactions. This eliminates the need for real-time verification during email sending, reducing complexity while maintaining reliability.
Data Source
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AI summary
According to the present invention there is provided a method of verifying to a recipient of an email that a sender of the email possesses a mobile telecommunications device associated with a specific telephone number. The method comprises using a Short Message Service message, sent from the sender to a server (A3), to verify to the server that the sender of the email has access to the telephone number, and, following receipt of the email, the recipient contacting the server (A6) to obtain confirmation that the sender of the received email has access to the telephone number (A7).