Telephony Number Reassignment Automation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional quarantine methods for phone numbers in telephony systems are often ineffective in preventing undesired connections to reassigned numbers, as the quarantine period may not be long enough to ensure all callers are notified, leading to disruptive connections and high administrative costs.
Innovation Solution
Implementing automated checks to determine if a quarantined phone number is 'clean' and 'good' for reassignment by counting calls from test numbers, with configurable thresholds and intervals, to assess the likelihood of undesired connections and availability for reassignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the quarantine period is extended to reduce undesired connections, then the reliability of number reassignment improves, but the loss of time and administrative costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by proactively notifying callers before the quarantine period ends and proactively testing the number after quarantine. Callers are notified in advance of the number change, and automated call attempts are made to verify the number is no longer active at the former endpoint, allowing confident reassignment without extending the quarantine period.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms by monitoring incoming calls to quarantined numbers and using automated test calls to verify number status. Call tracking during quarantine provides feedback on whether callers are still reaching the old endpoint, and post-quarantine test calls provide feedback on whether the number is ready for reassignment, enabling data-driven decisions about reassignment timing.
2Reliability
If manual management of quarantine and reassignment is used, then control over the process is maintained, but administrative overhead and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service by implementing automated processes that manage quarantine and reassignment without requiring administrative personnel. The system automatically tracks calls to quarantined numbers, sends notifications to callers, performs test calls after quarantine, and manages reassignment decisions, eliminating the need for manual intervention while maintaining control through automated rule-based processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual administrative processes with automated electronic systems. Instead of personnel manually tracking and managing quarantine periods, the system uses automated call tracking, electronic notifications, and computerized test call sequences to manage the reassignment process, substituting mechanical human labor with automated technological systems.
3Productivity
If the quarantine period is shortened to reduce administrative costs, then productivity improves, but the reliability of avoiding undesired connections deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary verification actions before reassignment by notifying callers in advance and conducting automated test calls after quarantine ends. These preliminary actions ensure that even with a shorter quarantine period, the system verifies the number is ready for reassignment and callers are prepared for the change, maintaining reliability while enabling faster turnover.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses real-time feedback from call tracking during quarantine and test calls after quarantine to determine readiness for reassignment. This feedback mechanism allows the system to confidently proceed with reassignment sooner by verifying through automated means that the number is no longer receiving calls at the old endpoint, rather than relying on fixed time-based quarantine periods.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are described for managing phone numbers associated with a telephony system to reduce the likelihood that calls or transmissions directed to a subscriber or endpoint to which a phone number was previously assigned are received by a new subscriber or endpoint to which that number is reassigned.