Grey List Spam Call Control via Challenge Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for controlling unsolicited or spam calls are ineffective, as they either irritate legitimate callers with repeated challenges or fail to block robocalls and push dialers effectively, and existing systems like do not call lists and CLID blocking have limitations.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that store information on previous calls, allowing only those that have passed a challenge to connect, with a processor comparing incoming call information to this stored data to determine whether to connect or block the call, and optionally sending a current challenge to the caller.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a challenge system is implemented to verify incoming calls, then spam calls are blocked, but legitimate callers are irritated by repeated challenges
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs the challenge verification in advance during the call setup phase rather than repeatedly during each call attempt. Once a caller successfully passes the challenge, the system stores this verification result and uses it for future calls from the same number, eliminating the need for repeated challenges to legitimate callers while maintaining spam blocking effectiveness
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a feedback mechanism where the outcome of a challenge (pass/fail) is stored and used to inform future call handling decisions. Callers who pass the challenge receive positive feedback by having their calls automatically connected without further verification, while spam callers continue to be blocked, creating a self-learning system that improves convenience for legitimate users over time
2Reliability
If call information is stored and verified against previous calls, then robocalls are effectively blocked, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of implementing complex real-time analysis of call patterns and behaviors, the system creates a simplified copy or representation of verified legitimate callers in a storage database. This stored information serves as a reference template that quickly identifies whether incoming calls are from trusted numbers, achieving high detection accuracy without requiring complex real-time processing systems
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary storage component that mediates between the incoming call and the verification process. This storage layer stores pre-verified caller information and acts as an intermediary reference, simplifying the overall system architecture by separating the verification logic from the call handling logic and enabling more reliable robocall detection through stored comparative data
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for maintaining a grey list for controlling incoming calls from numbers on a telephone network. Information associated with previous calls received by the telephone is stored in the form of a grey list. The stored information includes an indication of whether each of the previously received calls passed a previous challenge. Based on the stored information, when an incoming call is received, a determination is made whether the incoming call corresponds to a call that passed a previous challenge. The incoming call connected to the telephone if the stored information indicates that the incoming call previously passed a challenge. An action is taken if the stored information does not indicate that the incoming call previously passed the challenge. The action may include blocking the call, allowing the call or providing a current challenge to the call.