No-Call List Enforcement System with Penalty Mechanisms

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for deterring unsolicited telephone calls, such as call screening and national 'Do Not Call' lists, are ineffective against persistent callers who ignore these measures, and there is a lack of personal no-call list management options for subscribers.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a system that searches and maintains a database of numbers that originate unsolicited calls, prohibiting connections based on this determination, and imposing penalties on violators, including billing and service disconnection, while allowing subscribers to manage their personal no-call lists.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If national 'Do Not Call' lists are used, then some unsolicited calls are blocked, but persistent callers can simply ignore these lists and continue making unsolicited calls

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveunsolicited callsVSAvoiddeterrence effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback by monitoring callers who violate no-call lists and imposing escalating penalties including billing charges and service disconnection. This feedback loop transforms the previously passive national do-not-call list into an active enforcement mechanism that tracks violators and applies consequences, thereby improving reliability of deterrence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary action by pre-establishing no-call lists at both national and personal levels before unsolicited calls occur. Subscribers can proactively register their numbers and the system pre-identifies potential violators, enabling preventive blocking rather than reactive measures after harassment has occurred.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Object-affected harmful factors

If call screening and anonymous call blocking are used, then some protective measures are provided, but they do not deter persistent unsolicited callers and require subscriber action

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveunsolicited callsVSAvoidsubscriber effort required

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service by allowing subscribers to automatically register their telephone numbers on personal no-call lists without requiring manual call screening or active participation. The system autonomously manages the blocking process, eliminating the need for subscribers to individually screen calls or configure complex blocking rules.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides universality by implementing both national and personal no-call lists that work together across the entire telephone network. A single infrastructure handles multiple functions: national-level blocking, personal-level blocking, violator tracking, penalty imposition, and service disconnection, replacing the need for multiple separate protective measures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If service providers impose penalties including billing and disconnection, then deterrence effectiveness increases, but device and system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeterrence effectivenessVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges previously separate functions into a unified no-call list enforcement system. It combines national do-not-call list operations, personal no-call list management, violator identification, penalty assessment, billing integration, and service disconnection into a single integrated system, reducing overall complexity despite the increased functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary no-call list management system that acts as a mediator between subscribers, service providers, and violators. This intermediary layer handles the complex tasks of tracking violations, calculating penalties, coordinating billing, and managing disconnections, thereby simplifying the interactions between other system components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Adaptability or versatility

If personal no-call lists are implemented allowing subscriber management, then control and customization improve, but database and processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepersonal customizationVSAvoiddatabase size

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies segmentation by dividing no-call lists into hierarchical levels: national no-call lists that apply to all subscribers, and personal no-call lists specific to each subscriber. This segmentation allows the database to efficiently organize data by scope, enabling quick lookups by first checking national lists and then personal lists only when necessary, thereby managing database size effectively while providing customization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS9154597B2No call list deterrent

Publication Date: 2015.10.06 CENTURYLINK INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LLC

AI summary

Novel tools and techniques for deterring unsolicited calls are described for deterring unsolicited telephone calls that include a service provider searching and determining that the originating telephone number is in a no-call list, and based on this determination, prohibiting the call from terminating (i.e., connecting with the destination telephone number). Penalties may also be imposed against callers (e.g., solicitors) for no-call violations.