Subscriber Line Sharing via Removable Authentication Box

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current switched telephone networks do not allow subscribers to easily share their subscriber lines between multiple fixed telephone sets while maintaining separate call numbers and billing, and existing solutions are complex and insecure.

Innovation Solution

A switched telephone network architecture that includes a removable box connected to a subscriber line, allowing the sharing of subscriber lines between multiple fixed telephone sets through a presence request mechanism, enabling the automatic implementation of call forwarding and charging processes, and utilizing a secure removable medium for authentication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a subscriber line is shared between multiple fixed telephone sets, then the portability and flexibility of telephone number usage is improved, but the complexity of network management and authentication increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveportability of telephone numberVSAvoidcomplexity of network management
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a removable authentication medium (such as a smart card or USB device) as an intermediary between the subscriber and the network. This medium stores authentication credentials and enables the subscriber to authenticate themselves when connecting to a telephone set, thereby simplifying network management while enabling flexible sharing of subscriber lines across multiple devices

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If call forwarding is implemented to allow subscribers to use their number from different locations, then the ease of operation is improved, but the security and control over billing is worsened

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of using telephone numberVSAvoidsecurity and billing control
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary authentication through a removable authentication medium before allowing call forwarding or line sharing. The subscriber must insert this medium into the telephone set and authenticate themselves before the system will allow them to use the subscriber line. This preliminary action ensures that only authorized users can initiate calls or forward calls, maintaining security and billing control while still providing ease of operation across multiple locations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple telephone sets are connected to a single subscriber line, then the versatility of the system is improved, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring authentication and authorization increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of connected telephone setsVSAvoiddifficulty of authentication detection
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a removable authentication medium as an intermediary that carries authentication credentials. When a subscriber connects a telephone set to the subscriber line, they must insert this medium into the telephone set. The system then automatically detects and verifies the authentication credentials stored on this medium, simplifying the detection and measurement of authentication status while allowing multiple telephone sets to be connected to the same subscriber line

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3662648B1Switched telephone network and method for managing a subscriber line in such a network
Publication Date: 2021.03.24 FAWZY ANAS
  • EP3662648B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3662648B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3662648B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention concerns a switched telephone network (STN) in which: - a first switch (C1) is connected to a first subscriber line (LA) suitable for being connected to a first landline telephone (TA) installed in a premises of a first subscriber (A), said first subscriber line being associated with a telephone number assigned to said first telephone, - a second switch (C2) comprising a database in which a telephone number assigned to a second landline telephone (TC) of a second subscriber (C) is stored, said network further comprising: - a removable housing (B) connected to the first subscriber line (LA), in the premises where the first telephone (TA) is installed, the second telephone (TC) being connected to said housing, - a means (B) for transmitting, to the first switch (C1), a presence request containing the telephone number assigned to the second telephone (TC), - the reception of the presence request by the first switch (C1) results in the automatic implementation of a logical computer process involving the second switch (C2) and resulting in the sharing of the first subscriber line (LA), through the housing (B), between the telephone number assigned to the first telephone (TA) and the telephone number assigned to the second telephone (TC).