VoIP Call Agent Verification Using PSTN Call Validation
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Solution Overview
Problem
VoIP call routing systems face challenges in securely verifying ownership of telephone numbers across different call agents, leading to inefficiencies and limitations in interconnecting enterprises without requiring intermediate service providers, especially when scaling beyond small networks.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a registry system that uses hash-based access mechanisms and PSTN call validation to securely verify ownership of telephone numbers, allowing call agents to validate each other's ownership through PSTN call attributes and caching validated information for future VoIP calls.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If enterprises directly interconnect VoIP call agents without intermediate service providers, then cost savings and efficiency are improved, but security risks from unauthorized access and call spoofing increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary verification of call agent ownership by validating PSTN call attributes before allowing VoIP call routing. Call agents must demonstrate knowledge of previous PSTN calls to prove ownership of telephone numbers, establishing trust relationships in advance before enabling direct VoIP interconnection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a registry system that acts as an intermediary to store and verify call routing information. The registry maintains records of verified call agents and their associated telephone numbers, mediating the verification process between calling and called parties without requiring direct trust relationships.
2Ease of operation
If VoIP call routing information is made publicly available for easy interconnection, then ease of operation is improved, but security vulnerabilities from unauthorized access increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements selective disclosure of routing information based on verification status. Call routing information is only made accessible to entities that have successfully verified their ownership through PSTN call validation, rather than being universally accessible. This creates local quality where different levels of access are granted based on authentication.
Solution Approach 2:
The registry serves as an intermediary that controls access to call routing information. It stores routing data securely and only discloses it to verified call agents, mediating between the need for public accessibility and security requirements.
3Reliability
If PSTN call validation is implemented to verify VoIP call agents, then reliability is improved, but use of energy and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The verification system uses self-service mechanisms where call agents themselves provide the verification data by demonstrating knowledge of their own PSTN call history. The system validates information that call agents already possess, rather than requiring external verification services.
Solution Approach 2:
The PSTN call validation mechanism serves multiple functions: it verifies ownership of telephone numbers, establishes trust relationships between call agents, and creates a foundation for secure VoIP routing. This multi-functional approach reduces the need for separate verification systems.
Data Source
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AI summary
In one embodiment, an apparatus may verify an identity of a destination Voice-over-lnternet-Protocol (VoIP) call agent for a destination telephone number based on demonstrated knowledge of at least one public switched telephone network (PSTN) call initiated to the destination telephone number. The apparatus may also receive the identity of the destination VoIP call agent based on the demonstrated knowledge of the at least one PSTN call initiated to the destination telephone number.