Temporary Disposable Number Provisioning for Privacy Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Individuals and businesses face challenges in maintaining privacy and security when sharing their permanent phone numbers, especially in transactions or interactions where anonymity is desired, as existing solutions do not effectively provide temporary and secure communication channels.
Innovation Solution
A system that provides users with temporary disposable phone numbers linked to their permanent numbers, allowing for secure and private communication by forwarding incoming calls to the permanent number while maintaining anonymity, with features like limited shelf life, credit-based usage, and multiple number management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a permanent phone number is provided for communication, then communication reliability is improved, but privacy and security are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a temporary disposable number as an intermediary between the caller and the permanent phone number. This intermediary receives incoming calls and forwards them to the permanent number, allowing communication to occur without exposing the permanent number to the caller. The temporary number serves as a mediator that maintains communication reliability while protecting privacy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs temporary disposable numbers that have limited shelf life and are discarded after use. These short-living numbers provide the necessary communication function for a specific period without creating long-term privacy exposure. The disposable nature ensures that even if the temporary number is compromised, the permanent number remains protected.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If a temporary disposable number is provided for privacy protection, then privacy is improved, but call management complexity is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically manages the temporary disposable numbers without requiring manual intervention. The temporary numbers are automatically assigned, activated, and deactivated based on predefined conditions. Call forwarding is handled automatically, and the system monitors usage to determine when numbers should be discarded or extended, reducing the burden on users to manage complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The temporary disposable number system provides multiple functions within a single framework: it protects privacy, manages calls, tracks usage, determines expiration, and can be extended. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise be separate complex management tasks into a unified system that handles privacy protection comprehensively.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If temporary disposable numbers have limited shelf life for security, then security is improved, but usability is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides feedback to users about the status of their temporary disposable numbers, including when they will expire and options for extension. Users receive notifications and can be alerted before numbers are discarded, allowing them to plan accordingly. This feedback mechanism maintains security through limited shelf life while improving usability by keeping users informed and giving them control over the process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows dynamic adjustment of the temporary number's shelf life based on user needs. While the default is a limited duration for security, users can extend the shelf life if necessary. This dynamic flexibility resolves the contradiction by maintaining the security benefit of limited shelf life while allowing usability adjustments when needed.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods, and computer program products for provisioning a temporary disposable number are described. A user can be provided with a pool of available temporary disposable numbers that have a limited shelf life. The user can select one of the available temporary disposable numbers while submitting a permanent phone number associated with a communications device (e.g., mobile phone, home phone, business phone, etc.). Prior to activating the selected temporary disposable number, the temporary disposable number is linked to the permanent phone number. After activation, when an incoming call to the temporary disposable number is received, the permanent phone number is identified to be associated with the temporary disposable number being called. The incoming call is then forwarded to the communications device on which the permanent phone number is established.