Robocall Screening via Intermediary Verification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Robocalls, which are automated or digital messages from computerized auto-dialers, often overwhelm communication devices and can be malicious, posing a challenge in distinguishing legitimate from illegitimate communications, leading to user frustration and potential security risks.
Innovation Solution
A robocall screening system that obtains device identifiers, requests non-automated input from the originating device, and updates a white list to differentiate between verified human and automated calls, thereby terminating unwanted robocalls and allowing legitimate communications to connect.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If automated screening protocols are implemented to block robocalls, then network security and user experience are improved, but device complexity and false rejection of legitimate calls increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary screening system that acts as a mediator between calling devices and called devices. This intermediary analyzes call characteristics, maintains white lists of verified users, and makes routing decisions without requiring complex processing at endpoint devices. The intermediary handles the complexity centrally while keeping individual devices simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-verification of users through automated calls before allowing them onto the white list. Once verified, users are pre-approved for future calls, eliminating the need for complex real-time screening of legitimate calls. This preliminary verification reduces ongoing complexity while maintaining security.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If automated calls are blocked by requesting non-automated input, then robocalls are reduced, but call connection time and user convenience deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs verification actions in advance by calling the originating device and requesting input before the actual call is connected. Once a user is verified and added to the white list, subsequent calls are connected immediately without requiring input requests. This preliminary action eliminates time loss for legitimate users in future calls.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a copy or representation of verified users in the white list, allowing rapid matching and connection decisions without repeating the verification process. This copying mechanism enables fast connection of legitimate calls while maintaining the ability to block robocalls.
3Measurement precision
If white list verification is implemented, then call authenticity is improved, but system complexity and processing overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The verification system is implemented as an intermediary service that centralizes the complexity of white list management, verification logic, and database operations. Individual devices only need to communicate with the intermediary, keeping their own complexity low while achieving high verification accuracy through the centralized system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service verification where the originating device automatically receives verification requests and can independently provide input to be added to the white list. This self-service approach reduces the need for manual intervention and complex administrative interfaces while maintaining high verification accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
Aspects include systems and methods for screening robocalls from connecting to a target communication device by a robocall screening system. The robocall screening system may receive communications intended for the target communication device and, prior to making the connection, initiate a screening procedure which may involve playing an automated request to the originating device to enter additional information such as an additional digit (or digits), which would normally be achieved through a touchscreen, keypad, voice recognition system, etc. of a communication device. As robocalls are typically originated by an automated dialer that is not equipped or configured to respond to such an automated request, the robocalling device will fail to enter the requested additional information. If the additional information is not entered, the robocall screening system may terminate the communication as an attempted robocall, include routing the communication to a proxy receiving device for further processing.