Stale Number Detection via Date Comparison Logic

Solution Overview

Problem

The increasing demand for telephone numbers due to recycled numbers leads to 'stale numbers' in contact databases, causing disruptions and security issues as new subscribers receive numbers previously associated with different individuals, resulting in incorrect calls and potential exposure of sensitive information.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus using a processor to detect stale numbers by comparing the issue date and contact creation date of a telephone number, generating notifications to prevent incorrect calls and providing active numbers when necessary.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If telephone numbers are recycled to meet demand, then availability of numbers is improved, but occurrence of stale numbers increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveavailability of telephone numbersVSAvoidaccuracy of contact information

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of stale numbers by comparing the issue date of a telephone number with the contact creation date in databases before establishing communications. This advance detection prevents incorrect calls from being placed to recycled numbers that are no longer associated with the original contact person.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring and comparing date parameters (issue date versus contact creation date) to identify stale numbers. This feedback loop enables the system to detect when a recycled number's issue date is later than the contact creation date, triggering alerts or blocking communications to prevent errors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If contact databases are used to store contact information, then ease of operation is improved, but stale numbers increase causing disruptions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontact management convenienceVSAvoiddisruptions from stale number calls

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces an intermediary detection mechanism that sits between the contact database and the actual communication placement. This intermediary component compares dates (issue date versus contact creation date) and acts as a filter, blocking or alerting on stale numbers before they cause disruptions, thus preserving the ease of use of contact databases while mitigating their harmful effects.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If recycled telephone numbers are assigned to new subscribers, then service provider productivity is improved, but stale number problems increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesubscriber onboarding efficiencyVSAvoidcommunication accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of stale numbers by comparing the issue date of a telephone number with the contact creation date in databases before establishing communications. This advance detection prevents incorrect calls from being placed to recycled numbers that are no longer associated with the original contact person.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms by continuously monitoring and comparing date parameters (issue date versus contact creation date) to identify stale numbers. This feedback loop enables the system to detect when a recycled number's issue date is later than the contact creation date, triggering alerts or blocking communications to prevent errors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS9832309B2Method and apparatus to detect a stale number

Publication Date: 2017.11.28 MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS INC

AI summary

A method and apparatus for detecting a stale number. A stale number detection device obtains a call number, a call number contact creation date, and a call number issue date for the call number. The stale number detection device determines that a stale number state exists when the call number issue date is later than the call number contact creation date. The stale number detection device generates a stale number notification based on the stale number state.