Spoof Call Detection via Calling Sequence Verification

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Solution Overview

Problem

In telephone networks, it is challenging to detect and prevent caller ID spoofing, especially in a deregulated environment with varying levels of assurance on the validity of originating numbers, which can lead to fraudulent activities and denial of service attacks.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method that uses a predetermined order for calling telephone numbers, shared as a secret between the network and the authorized user, to identify and classify calls as legitimate or spoofed by determining if they follow the correct sequence, allowing for blocking of spoofed calls.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If Caller ID spoofing is used to circumvent blocking systems, then fraudulent calls can bypass blacklists and whitelists, but network security and reliability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to circumvent blocking systemsVSAvoidnetwork security
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary analysis of call patterns before blocking is applied. By establishing a baseline of legitimate calling behavior in advance and comparing incoming calls against this baseline, the system can identify spoofed calls that attempt to circumvent traditional blocking mechanisms while maintaining network security

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors call patterns and provides feedback to update blocking rules dynamically. By analyzing deviations from established calling patterns and feeding this information back into the blocking system, the network can adapt to new spoofing techniques while maintaining reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If traditional blocking systems are used to prevent fraudulent calls, then some spoofed calls can be blocked, but legitimate calls may be accidentally blocked reducing productivity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefraud preventionVSAvoidlegitimate call throughput
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different levels of scrutiny to different calls based on their specific characteristics. By analyzing individual call patterns against the established baseline and applying targeted blocking only to calls that show clear spoofing indicators, the system prevents fraud while allowing legitimate calls to pass through with minimal disruption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system monitors all calls for pattern deviations but only blocks calls that exceed a threshold of suspicious behavior. This partial action approach ensures that clearly fraudulent calls are blocked while legitimate calls with minor variations in pattern are not unnecessarily interrupted

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP3949364B1Spoof call detection in telephone network
Publication Date: 2025.01.01 BRITISH TELECOM PLC
  • EP3949364B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3949364B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3949364B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Computer-implemented methods of placing and processing calls in a communications network are provided. The computer-implemented method of processing calls in a telephone network comprises: identifying a plurality of calls that have been made by a particular telephone number to telephone numbers in the telephone network; determining whether a sequence in which the calls were placed corresponds to a correct order for calling those telephone numbers, the correct order being determined based on a predetermined order for calling telephone numbers in the telephone network; and determining that one or more of the calls were made by spoofing the particular telephone number if the sequence in which the calls were placed does not correspond to a correct order.