Mobile Number Verification via HLR Query
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile radio communication systems lack secure methods to verify mobile telephone numbers, leading to potential delivery of services to the wrong individuals due to changes in mobile subscriptions, compromising privacy and security in services like SMS banking.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for verifying mobile telephone numbers by storing the number and associated subscriber identity in a database, querying the home location register for the current subscriber identity, and comparing it to ensure the service is delivered to the original subscriber, with the option to send notifications if the subscription has changed.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mobile telephone numbers are used for service delivery without verification, then service convenience is maintained, but security and reliability deteriorate due to potential delivery to wrong individuals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a verification apparatus as an intermediary component between the service delivery system and the mobile network. This apparatus queries the HLR to obtain current subscriber identity information and compares it with stored information, acting as a mediator that verifies telephone number ownership without requiring complex changes to existing mobile network infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary verification actions before delivering services. The verification apparatus queries the HLR and compares subscriber identity information in advance of service delivery, ensuring that the telephone number is still associated with the intended recipient before any service is provided, thus preventing delivery to wrong individuals.
2Reliability
If subscriber identity verification is implemented, then service security is improved, but processing time increases due to additional verification steps
Solution Approach 1:
The verification process is designed to operate continuously and efficiently by leveraging the existing HLR infrastructure. The verification apparatus queries the HLR using standard signaling protocols, allowing verification to be performed as part of the normal service setup process without requiring separate time-consuming authentication steps.
3Reliability
If mobile subscription changes are detected through verification, then service security is maintained, but service disruption occurs requiring reactivation
Solution Approach 1:
The verification apparatus provides feedback when subscription changes are detected by comparing current HLR information with stored information. When a mismatch is found, the system can notify the service delivery system to terminate or redirect services, ensuring that services are not delivered to wrong individuals while providing mechanisms for legitimate users to reactivate services after subscription changes.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a method and apparatus for verification of a mobile telephone number. The method comprises: storing a mobile telephone number and a corresponding mobile subscriber identity number; receiving a request for verification of the mobile telephone number; sending, in response to the request, an IMSI query requesting a mobile subscriber identity number registered in association with the mobile telephone number in an HLR; receiving, in response to the IMSI query, the mobile subscriber identity number associated with the mobile telephone number in the HLR; comparing the stored mobile subscriber identity number and the received mobile subscriber identity number, and, if the comparison shows that the received mobile subscriber identity number corresponds to the stored mobile subscriber identity number; initiating the performance of the messaging-or-positioning service in relation to the mobile telephone number.