Robocall Counter Device Using Automated Call-Back Swamping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Robocalls are frequent and difficult to stop, as recipients cannot easily identify or respond to the source, leading to annoyance and frustration.

Innovation Solution

A telephone call-back device that includes an activation button, a call source utility to identify the source phone number, and a call-back utility to send a series of outgoing calls to the source, potentially swamping the number within regulatory limits, providing a means for recipients to respond to robocalls.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If recipients do nothing to respond to robocalls, then they avoid potential legal issues or technical complications, but they continue to suffer from frequent annoying calls without any effective countermeasure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of responding to robocallsVSAvoidannoyance from frequent robocalls

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables recipients to automatically initiate call-backs without manual intervention. The call-back utility automatically dials the source number after the source calls the recipient, creating a self-acting response mechanism that eliminates the need for recipients to manually respond to each robocall

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system establishes a feedback loop where the recipient's response (call-back) is automatically triggered by the incoming robocall. The call source utility captures the source number and the call-back utility automatically initiates a return call, creating a closed-loop response system that provides immediate feedback to the robocall source

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If recipients manually respond to each robocall, then they can potentially stop the calls, but the process is time-consuming and frustrating

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveeffectiveness of stopping robocallsVSAvoidtime spent responding to robocalls

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by automatically capturing the source phone number during the incoming robocall and pre-configuring the call-back parameters before the recipient needs to respond. The call source utility extracts and stores the source number, and the call-back utility is ready to immediately initiate the return call without requiring recipient intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system automates the entire response process, from capturing the source number to initiating the call-back, eliminating the need for recipients to manually spend time responding to each robocall. The call-back utility autonomously executes the return call based on the captured source information

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the call-back utility sends multiple calls to swamp the source number, then it can potentially disrupt the robocall operation, but it may violate state regulations if not controlled

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedisruption to robocall sourceVSAvoidcompliance with legal regulations

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts the call-back behavior based on detected patterns. The call-back utility monitors the source's calling patterns and can adaptively send multiple call-backs at varying intervals to effectively disrupt robocall operations while staying within regulatory limits. The system can escalate from single call-backs to multiple call-backs depending on the persistence and pattern of incoming robocalls

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters such as the number of call-backs, timing intervals, and volume of return calls to optimize disruption effectiveness while maintaining legal compliance. By adjusting these parameters dynamically, the system can escalate response intensity to match the aggressiveness of the robocall source without permanently violating regulations

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10511715B1Telephone call-back device

Publication Date: 2019.12.17 ISGAR CHARLES

AI summary

Disclosed is a telephone call-back device that can provide a means for the recipient of a robocall incoming phone call to take action. The telephone call-back device includes an activation device, a call source utility, and a call-back utility. The activation device is a button or switch that a user can activate when they receive a robocall. Once the activation device is activated, the call source utility identifies a source phone number of the robocall incoming phone call. The call-back utility initiates one or more robo call-back outgoing phone calls to be sent to the source phone number. The call-back utility can be programmed to try to send many robo call-back outgoing phone calls to the source phone number to try to swamp the phone number with robo call-back outgoing phone calls. The system may provide satisfaction to the user as a tool to respond to these on-going nuisances.