Programmable Caller ID Screening via DTMF Inputs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Caller ID systems fail to effectively block telemarketing calls, as telemarketers bypass privacy services by unblocking their caller ID, leading to unwanted communications and annoyance for subscribers.
Innovation Solution
A programmable caller identification service that allows subscribers to selectively screen incoming communications by identifying desirable or undesirable callers through Dual-Tone Multi-Frequency key inputs or data messages, enabling actions such as terminating calls, forwarding to voice mail, or adding numbers to a Do Not Call list.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If privacy services block incoming communications with private ICLID information, then unwanted telemarketing calls are reduced, but legitimate callers are also blocked and subscribers lose immediate notification of incoming calls
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the caller identification system into multiple functional components: a Caller ID service that provides directory information, a privacy service that filters private ICLID signals, and a selective blocking mechanism that allows subscribers to choose which calls to block. This segmentation enables the system to distinguish between legitimate calls and telemarketing calls, blocking only the latter while maintaining notification for legitimate callers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the system provides subscribers with information about incoming calls through Caller ID display, allowing subscribers to make informed decisions about which calls to answer. The system feeds back call information to the subscriber and waits for subscriber input before executing blocking actions, ensuring subscribers maintain control over their communication preferences.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If customers block incoming communications to avoid unwanted calls, then telemarketing is reduced, but customers cannot immediately re-evaluate blocked calls if circumstances change
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a dynamic blocking system where subscribers can modify their call blocking preferences in real-time. The system allows subscribers to add or remove numbers from blocked lists during ongoing conversations, enabling flexible adaptation to changing circumstances without requiring system restart or reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables subscribers to self-manage their call blocking preferences through intuitive interfaces. Subscribers can add numbers to blocked lists, remove numbers, and modify filtering criteria without requiring technical expertise or system administrator intervention, making the system adaptable to individual needs.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If customers ignore ringing communications to avoid interruptions, then unwanted calls are minimized, but customers experience annoyance from repetitive noise alerts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the blocking function from the traditional phone ringing mechanism and implements it through software-based Caller ID filtering. Instead of allowing physical ringtone interruptions, the system identifies and extracts unwanted calls through ICLID analysis and presents them with alternative handling options, eliminating the harmful noise alerts while maintaining call management capabilities.
4Adaptability or versatility
If telemarketers unblock their caller ID to bypass privacy services, then they can reach subscribers, but the privacy service cannot recognize and filter their calls
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary analysis layer between the calling party and the subscriber. The privacy service acts as a mediator that receives ICLID signals, analyzes them against subscriber profiles and Do Not Call lists, and makes intelligent filtering decisions. This intermediary function enables the system to detect and block telemarketing calls even when callers attempt to bypass standard privacy filters.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical blocking mechanisms with software-based pattern recognition and machine learning algorithms. Instead of relying on simple ICLID blocking, the system uses sophisticated software to analyze call patterns, recognize telemarketing behaviors, and dynamically adjust filtering strategies to counter telemarketer evasion techniques.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are disclosed for providing Programmable Caller ID Screening services. One method monitors a telephone call for a call screening request for commercial, residential, and other identifiers of incoming calls. An action is taken in response to the call screening request. The action could be playing an announcement, terminating the connection, forwarding to voice mail, storing the ICLID information in a database, adding the ICLID information to a Do Not Call list, updating a subscriber's profile with the ICLID information, and/or storing the ICLID information in a subscriber's blocked communications list. The call screening request may comprise a Dual-Tone Multi-Frequency, a softkey entry, and/or a data message. Subsequent incoming calls from the calling telephone number are characterized as undesirable and are screened from alerting or otherwise establishing a communications connection to the called telephone number.