Visual Voicemail Client Authentication via SMS
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing visual voicemail systems require an intermediary gateway for authentication, which fails to update user credentials when phone numbers or handsets change, leading to access issues.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where handsets directly manage authentication with the voicemail platform using a unique password, eliminating the need for tracking MEID, MDN, and NAI, and utilizing SMS for secure password transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If an intermediary gateway is used for authentication, then centralized credential management is achieved, but the system fails to update user credentials when phone numbers or handsets change, leading to access issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the authentication function from the intermediary gateway and implements it directly in the visual voicemail client application. This allows the client to independently manage credentials using the device's identity (IMEI or phone number) without relying on the gateway's credential database, thereby resolving the credential update failure when handsets or phone numbers change.
Solution Approach 2:
The visual voicemail client performs self-authentication with the voicemail server using the device's own identity (IMEI or phone number) as credentials. This eliminates the need for the intermediary gateway to manage and update credentials, allowing the system to automatically adapt when handsets or phone numbers change without manual intervention.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the intermediary gateway tracks MEID, MDN, and NAI for authentication, then centralized control is maintained, but access issues occur when phone numbers or handsets change
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic credential management where the authentication credentials (IMEI or phone number) automatically update when the device identity changes. The visual voicemail client continuously uses the current device identity for authentication, ensuring both adaptability to handset/number changes and reliable access without depending on static gateway-tracked credentials.
3Ease of operation
If direct handset authentication with voicemail platform is implemented, then each handset manages its own password, but secure password transmission requires SMS infrastructure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the SMS messaging system as an intermediary channel for secure password transmission between the visual voicemail server and the handset. This leverages the existing SMS infrastructure to securely deliver authentication credentials without requiring complex dedicated secure communication channels, balancing ease of operation with acceptable system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Visual voicemail enables a user to view a list of voicemail messages and caller information, and select which messages to hear. Currently, a handset accesses visual voicemail using a web interface over a point-to-point network connection with an intermediary gateway. The gateway initiates requests to the voicemail platform on behalf of the handset using a single generic password. There is no direct authentication between the handset client and the voicemail platform. In an embodiment of the invention, the handset requests a password from the voicemail platform using the web interface. The voicemail platform sends a password to the handset via a Short Message Service text message, which is an inherently secure means of communication. The handset then uses the password to request voicemail data from the voicemail platform via the web interface.