Virtual Identifier for Caller ID in Telecommunication Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current telecommunication systems, including VoIP, face challenges with cumbersome dialing for long distance calls and limited control over caller ID information, especially for international calls, leading to inconvenient and costly communication scenarios.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that allows for the use of virtual and direct access dial numbers, where a user's virtual identifier can replace their actual identifier for caller ID, enabling easier dialing and managing long distance calls, and allowing users to share a virtual number independently of their service provider.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a user's actual telephone number is used for caller ID in long distance calls, then the called party can identify the caller, but the called party may incur excessive long distance charges when calling back
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a virtual telephone number as an intermediary between the caller's actual number and the called party. This virtual number appears in caller ID information, allowing the called party to identify and call back the caller without incurring long distance charges, since the virtual number is associated with a local calling area. The mapping between actual and virtual numbers is maintained by the service provider.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a copy of the caller's identity through a virtual telephone number. This virtual number replicates the functionality of the actual number for identification purposes but with modified calling characteristics (local area code) that eliminate long distance charges for the called party.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a subscriber switches service providers and cannot port the previously assigned telephone number, then the subscriber can use new service features, but all interested parties must be updated with a new telephone number
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a portable virtual telephone number that can be transferred between service providers. This virtual number serves as a permanent identifier that the subscriber can retain when switching providers, eliminating the need to update contact information for all interested parties. The virtual number is decoupled from any specific service provider's infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual telephone number serves multiple functions: it acts as a permanent identifier for the subscriber, works across different service providers, and can be used for both incoming and outgoing calls. This universal identifier solves the portability problem by being provider-agnostic.
3Reliability
If international phone numbers with full digits are used, then complete routing information is provided, but dialing becomes cumbersome and contact applications are ill-suited to accept them
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the international phone number into two parts: a virtual local number for dialing and a mapping to the full international number for routing. The user only needs to dial the short virtual number, while the system handles the segmentation and reconstruction of the complete international routing information in the background.
Solution Approach 2:
The virtual telephone number acts as an intermediary that the user interacts with directly. Behind this simple interface, the system maintains the complex international routing information and performs the necessary number translation and routing operations automatically.
Data Source
AI summary
Method, system, and computer readable medium for providing an identifier for a caller identifier (ID) function when processing a communication request between a calling party and a called party in a communication network is described. In some examples, an initial identifier for the caller ID function associated with the calling party is received. A determination is made if the calling party has a virtual identifier configured in the communication network. A determination is made if the called party has a predefined identifier associated with the calling party configured in the communication network. The initial identifier is replaced with a terminating identifier based on configuration of the virtual identifier and the predefined identifier in the communication network.