Post-Page Caller Name Identification via Independent CNAM Queries
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Solution Overview
Problem
The fragmentation of service providers on the North American Public-Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) has complicated carrier implementation of caller name identification (CNAM Caller ID), leading to its decline in availability and high costs for mobile and VOIP users, who often lack this feature or must pay premiums for it, despite its importance for identifying calling parties.
Innovation Solution
A standalone post-page caller name identification system that interfaces directly with the calling party's SS7 service control point (SCP) to perform a Global Title Translation (GTT) and GR-1188 CNAM query, allowing users to input the calling party's CID to retrieve and display the name independently, bypassing carrier limitations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If carrier implementation of CNAM Caller ID is used, then caller name identification is provided, but service complexity and cost increase due to fragmentation of service providers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary CNAM server that mediates between the called party's device and the fragmented carrier CNAM databases. This server consolidates multiple carrier databases into a single accessible interface, allowing the called party's carrier to query caller name information without directly navigating the complex fragmented network of multiple service providers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts the CNAM database access functionality from the carrier network infrastructure and places it in a standalone CNAM server. This separation allows the caller name identification service to be provided independently of the complex carrier implementation details, simplifying the interface while maintaining access to multiple carrier databases.
2Reliability
If standard CNAM Caller ID service is subscribed to multiple lines, then caller name identification is available, but cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal CNAM server that serves multiple functions: it provides caller name identification for any carrier's database, supports multiple user devices simultaneously, and allows single-subscription access across multiple phone lines. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate carrier-specific CNAM subscriptions for each device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple carrier CNAM databases into a single consolidated CNAM server that can be accessed by any user. This consolidation allows users to access caller name information from any carrier's database through a single interface, eliminating the need to subscribe to multiple carrier services.
3Loss of information
If CNAM query is performed during network page, then caller name is identified, but call setup time is extended
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs CNAM queries after call setup is complete rather than during the network page phase. The called party's device receives the caller ID information during normal call operation, retrieves the caller name from the CNAM server, and displays it without interfering with the initial call establishment process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the caller name identification process into a separate post-call-setup phase. The call establishment and CNAM information retrieval are separated into distinct time periods, allowing call setup to complete quickly while caller name information is fetched subsequently without blocking the initial connection.
Data Source
AI summary
Caller Name Identification, or CNAM Caller ID, is a telecommunication end-user feature that appeared for PSTN landline customers in the late 1980s. The rapid development of cellular mobile and VOIP telephony systems lead to the frequent omission of the CNAM Caller ID feature. Described is an independent end-user system that obtains the CNAM Caller ID after the call page transmission. The system operates on the user's smartphone or on a TCP/IP connected computer. A user with multiple telephone devices (i.e. a smartphone, landline, and VOIP line) may share use of this system between all devices.