DE102006023759A1 - A method and apparatus for preventing unwanted telephone calls transmitted over an Internet Protocol-based network - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for preventing unwanted telephone calls transmitted over an Internet Protocol-based network, comprising the following steps: a) analysis and checking of a telephone call incoming to a subscriber line by an automated detector device using preset criteria for switching the telephone call (S1) ; b) classifying the incoming telephone call into a group i) undesired telephone calls or into a group ii) desired telephone calls on the basis of the check (S2) made in step a) and c) different further processing of the incoming telephone call depending on the one made in step b) Classification (S3-S6).

Description

The The invention relates to a method for the defense of transmitted over an Internet Protocol-based network undesirable Telephone calls, in particular telephone calls for advertising purposes, according to claim 1, and a detector device for the defense of transmitted over an Internet Protocol-based network undesirable Phone calls according to claim 17th

The Make calls over the Internet Protocol (VoIP: Voice over Internet Protocol) instead of using separate circuit-switched telephony networks continues with the consumer due to the associated low connection costs more and more through. However, leads in general, such a decrease in the cost of using a medium according to experience to a Increase in unsolicited advertising information. This can currently, for example in the field of e-mail communication as well as communication via so-called "instant messaging Systems "observed become. The advertising messages undesirably transmitted in this way are usually there as "SPAM" (English abbreviation for "Spiced Pork and Ham ").

by virtue of the aforementioned Reduction of telephone costs when making calls over the Internet are always frequently fears loud, that now also the VoIP telephone network reinforced for promotional calls abused. Even over Connections in the conventional circuit-switched telephone network consumers are becoming more and more frequent with unwanted Harassed advertising calls, and this although the connection rates here compared to VoIP yet are relatively high. At least for the moment, at least about 0.5 cents per phone call to charges. Since it is a seemingly lucrative advertising forum, it can be assumed that at the mentioned Lower costs when making calls via VoIP customers increasingly with undesirable Harassed advertising calls become.

security experts warn therefore increasingly of this phenomenon, for the expert circles with the Term "SPIT" (English SPAM over Internet telephony) has been.

Therefore It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for Save from over an Internet Protocol-based network transmitted unwanted Telephone calls, in particular telephone calls for advertising purposes, and a detection device for Internet-protocol-based defense Network transmitted unwanted phone calls propose.

These Task is transmitted by a method of repelling over an Internet Protocol-based network undesirable Telephone calls, in particular telephone calls for advertising purposes the features of claim 1, and a detection device for defense from above an Internet Protocol-based network transmitted unwanted Telephone calls with the features of claim 17. solved. preferred Embodiments of the invention are specified in the subclaims.

• a) Analyse und Überprüfen eines für einen Teilnehmeranschluss eingehenden Telefonanrufes durch eine automatisierte Detektoreinrichtung anhand voreingestellter Kriterien zum Durchschalten des Telefonanrufes;
• b) Einordnen des eingehenden Telefonanrufes in eine Gruppe i) unerwünschter Telefonanrufe oder in eine Gruppe ii) erwünschter Telefonanrufe auf der Basis der in Schritt a) vorgenommenen Überprüfung; und
• c) unterschiedliche Weiterbehandlung des eingehenden Anrufes abhängig von der in Schritt b) vorgenommenen Einordnung.

The inventive method for preventing unwanted telephone calls transmitted over an Internet Protocol-based network is based on the following method steps:

• a) analyzing and verifying a telephone call incoming to a subscriber line by an automated detector device using pre-set criteria for switching the telephone call;
• b) classifying the incoming telephone call into a group of i) unwanted telephone calls or a group ii) of desired telephone calls on the basis of the check made in step a); and
• c) different further processing of the incoming call depending on the classification made in step b).

By the inventive method it is thus possible incoming telephone calls to the subscriber line of a user using automatically verifiable criteria preselect. As the review and Classification of incoming telephone calls automatically takes place, the user includes or owner of the local loop a reliable means to hand over unwanted phone calls, especially calls for advertising purposes, successfully fend off.

As with the individual for a subscriber line incoming telephone calls after their preselection may be determined as and when required integrated automatic procedure. So it is according to one embodiment the invention possible that in step c) a switching of the telephone call to the subscriber line if it has been assigned to group ii) in step b). As mentioned above, means the classification of an incoming call in the group ii) that this call counts to the calls desired by the user. Out For this reason, the incoming call in the usual way to the subscriber line switched by the user and the user can with the desired interlocutor communicate. In the absence of the user, the call can also over a Answering machine accepted and the message of the calling person for the Users are recorded.

However, if the incoming telephone call is in Step b) assigned to the group i) and is therefore undesirable, it may, according to an embodiment of the invention possible, in step c) rejected or accepted by an automatic answering system. The method according to the invention thus acts as a filter which does not even switch unwanted telephone calls to the subscriber line. The user or owner of the subscriber line is thus not bothered by unwanted calls. This embodiment is therefore particularly advantageous when, according to experience, a large number of unwanted telephone calls, eg advertising calls, is to be expected. If desired, the number of unwanted incoming phone calls can be registered. By accepting the unwanted calls by an automatic answering system, it is possible to listen to the recorded calls at a desired time or simply delete them.

alternative to the possibilities mentioned above Further processing of different groups of incoming telephone calls can in step c) the telephone calls of both groups to the subscriber line through and on a terminal connected to the subscriber terminal the phone calls be signaled differently from different groups. In this case, the decision remains, such as an incoming telephone call ultimately to be dealt with by the user. The different ones Call signaling occurs in the simplest case by various acoustic signals, such as ringtones or melodies. This embodiment can for example be chosen when the number of expected unwanted phone calls is expected to be low is, so not only by their signaling a significant interference potential consists. Instead of the sole signaling by tones, can also an optical signaling or a combination of optical and acoustic signaling. Offers the user a variety of individual design options. So can For example, calls that have been assigned to the group i), only by an optical signal is displayed while calls from group ii) by means of a usual bell sound be signaled.

Also in terms of There are different ways of classifying incoming telephone calls options with different degrees of complexity. So In the simplest case, an incoming phone call may be in step b) are assigned to the group i) if an identification assigned to it on a stored in the automated detection device Negative list is included. On the negative list are all markings of calls that the user considered undesirable become. This list is preferably modifiable by the user, so that it can be adjusted according to the circumstances.

alternative or in addition this can be an incoming phone call in step b) of the group ii) are assigned, if an associated identification on a positive list stored in the automated analyzer is included. The user specifies in this case in advance that just a specific, well-defined group of calls to the group the desired Calls fall. If the positive list is selected as the sole criterion, i. if all incoming phone calls, which are not in the positive list are automatically assigned to the group of unwanted calls, this means the strongest restriction the number of incoming phone calls.

at The above-mentioned marking may in particular to the Internet Protocol address, the sender's phone number, a code number or a other unique identifier of the incoming telephone call. Among the other unique markings are as an example To cite certifications which include a pre-output coding. A possibility, to realize this is, for example, that an in-depth Call then the group ii) is assigned, if it contains a code that previously on other Routes (e.g., instant messaging, email, personal contact) to the caller was communicated.

Next the aforementioned Positive and negative lists, or in addition, a review and Division of incoming telephone calls also according to other criteria be made. So are advertising calls through voice machines, which to reproduce a preconceived text, for example frequently characterized in that they simultaneously or successively to numerous telephone connections be directed. This fact can therefore be used as a selection criterion to distinguish between desired and unwanted phone calls deploy. Thus, in step a) by evaluating a corresponding Statistics are checked, whether the incoming telephone call is simultaneous or consecutive several subscriber lines should be conveyed, and, if so, the incoming Telephone call assigned to group i). Such statistics can be obtained via the Provider or provider for the corresponding compounds are provided.

Another feature commonly associated with advertising calls is the presence of a prerecorded voice message that is merely played back when being put through to a telephone line. Playing the After In this case, the report is made by a voice computer. This feature can also be used according to the invention for a classification of the incoming telephone calls in groups. Thus, in one embodiment of the invention, in step a), by automatically examining extracts of the voice message transmitted with the incoming telephone call, it is checked whether the incoming telephone call is a pre-recorded voice message and, if so, the incoming call assigned to group i). This feature for the assignment can also be used as a supplement or as an alternative to those already mentioned.

at the embodiment given above will the review in Step a) preferably by comparing the extracts of the transmitted voice message performed with known and stored recordings and / or by similarity estimation. The Details on the execution the corresponding methods by computer are in the prior art known and can by the skilled person readily the application described here be adjusted.

Becomes in step (c) following the above review of excerpts of the incoming call to the subscriber line switched through, exist various possibilities, as with the already eavesdropped part of the voice message on is moved. So either the not yet heard part be transmitted to the voice message and the one already listening Part is suppressed or not played. However, this has the disadvantage that the User or owner of the local loop the message of Callers are not complete receives. At a stronger preferred embodiment instead, the part of the voice message that has taken place until being switched through recorded and the complete Voice message is delayed to a terminal transmitted at the local loop. In this way receives the user the full Message. The caller hears a wait request during this time. Again, of course, there is the possibility the modification of the specifications by the user. It means that the further treatment of the part made until the passage through the voice message according to preset settings on the subscriber line can be done.

Generally expressed can assign the incoming telephone calls to the group i) on the basis of the selection criterion, that the call is from a machine or a voice computer. Accordingly, according to a embodiment the invention of the incoming phone call automatically to a system switched on, the first analyzes whether the incoming telephone call from a human or a machine comes and the incoming telephone call accordingly on the terminal of the called subscriber line.

If the review shows that the caller known to the owner of the local loop Person is, if - can desired - an additional Be fine tuned,

Checking if the caller is a person or a machine, can also be done in a more sophisticated way using a voice computer occur. This embodiment offers the advantage of dividing into the mentioned groups of calls with elevated reliability can be done. The inventive method becomes hereby for the user more comfortable. For example, the check in step a) can be realized by making an automatic prompt for an entry, upon receiving an input within a predetermined period of time incoming telephone call of the group i) and after expiration of the given Duration without receiving an input of the incoming telephone call Group ii). It thus finds an interactive review of the Incoming call instead, whether a human reaction on an instruction. On the other hand finds the call of an automatic Call system instead of, as it is often used for advertising purposes, so is these often already by such a review to Task brought.

at this embodiment is preferably evaluated as input a voice input or signal sequence. Such interactive communication with a caller on machine Basis already exists today in many fields, e.g. in the transfer of customer calls to mail order companies or other services. The known techniques can from Person skilled in the readily described embodiments be adapted and should therefore not be further explained here.

at a variation of the embodiment described above the caller can be prompted by a voice computer a computer-readable or known number or word combination within the given time period. Also, the Callers are asked to do a certain combination task to solve. This combination task can be the same for all callers or for each incoming call will be issued specifically. In addition, can also for the reaction available Duration can be varied.

One in the inventive method used detector device for the verification can be provided either on the subscriber line side or even on the service provider side. The latter opens up the possibility for the provider to make this service available to its customers in addition and, if necessary, to develop a new business field.

The Invention relates - according to a another embodiment - also a Detector device for use in the application of the method according to the invention.

in this connection In particular, a computer device is used which, according to the above-described Conditions is programmed. If the device is an interactive Analyze incoming phone calls (as stated above it includes a voice computer for dialogue with the caller, which is separate from the rest Components of the detector device may be present.

Out The following description of exemplary embodiments will be apparent Further advantages and possible applications of the present invention. In the description, in the claims, in the abstract and in the drawings will be the ones in the am End quoted List of reference symbols used terms and associated reference numerals used.

The Drawings show in

1 a flowchart of an embodiment of the inventive method for the defense against unwanted and transmitted over the Internet phone calls, especially phone calls for advertising purposes;

2 the case that the inventive method is technically implemented at the network provider;

3 the case that the inventive method is technically implemented at the subscriber line; and

4 the case that the inventive method is technically realized by the network provider on behalf of the owner of the subscriber line.

1 Figure 12 shows a flow diagram of a software implementing the inventive method for repelling unwanted telephone calls transmitted over the Internet. The software can be implemented, for example, in a server at a VoIP provider or in a VoIP router of an end customer. The software may also be implemented in a device operating system as additional functionality. To activate and deactivate the software, for example, a function "filtering unwanted calls via VoIP" can be provided, which can be accessed via a web interface, via which the server at the VoIP provider or the VoIP router can be accessed Essentially, the software implemented method performs the steps described in detail below: Firstly, a telephone call incoming to a subscriber line for which the function "filtering unwanted calls via VoIP" is activated is accepted by an automated detector device on the basis of preset criteria for switching through the Phone call checks (step S1). In a subsequent step S2, the incoming telephone call is classified into a group i) of unwanted telephone calls or into a group ii) of desired telephone calls on the basis of the check made in the previous step S1. In a branching step S3, it is checked whether the telephone call has been assigned to group i). If so, then proceed to step S5, where the telephone call is either rejected as an unwanted call or accepted by an automatic answering machine (AB) system and answered with a standard announcement. If the telephone call has not been placed in group i), it is checked in a step S4 whether it has been classified in group ii). If not, the procedure continues with step S5. If so, in a step S6 the telephone call is switched through to the called subscriber line.

In 2 In the upper part, the area of the caller is shown which, in the examples shown, is a sender of so-called "SPIT" messages, that is to say unwanted advertising calls via Internet telephone The sender of the SPITs is generally designated by the reference number 1a characterized. 1b and 1d represent other possible call sources.

The service provider is the SIP server 2 (SIP = Session Initiation Protocol (specified in RFC 3261) to which the SPIT sender refers 1 accesses. In the embodiment shown, the SPIT detector device according to the invention is 3 used on the service provider side. In the embodiment shown, the SPIT detector device comprises 3 a positive list 3a , a negative list 3b , An institution 3c for the speech analysis as well as a signature memory 3d ,

There are several ways to fill signature storage and negative list with data such as a Endteilnehmerbeschwerde by reporting the terminal and / or call to the service provider's hotline. As described above, not all of this device at ei ner SPIT detector device according to the invention 3 to be available. In the simplest case, it is sufficient to have a positive or negative list based on which the integrated computer of the SPIT detector device 3 decides to which group an incoming telephone call is to be assigned. The signature store 3d serves to store known identifiers (codes, voices, etc.) and make them available to the computer for comparison.

The SPIT detector device 3 preferably includes input means (not shown) such as a keyboard and / or a microphone or the like through which the user can feed options and settings.

There is also an SPIT analyzer 4 present, which may be provided separately from the detector device and includes, for example, a voice computer.

The owner of the subscriber line or the user of the method according to the invention is in a known manner, for example via a softphone on the PC 5a or via a landline phone 5b connected to the server of the service provider. As in 2 shown, the entire hardware for implementing the method according to the invention on the side of the service provider and is integrated into the telephony infrastructure of the service provider.

This is called, that the SPIT filtering automatically for all participants of a network takes place.

According to the variant of 3 is the SPIT detector device 3 implemented on the user side. He sets them according to his own specifications and specifications.

Another solution offers the variant 4 in which the detector device is implemented at the service provider, but on behalf of the individual user or owner of a subscriber line. In contrast to the embodiment of 2 becomes the SPIT detector device according to the invention 3 used here user-specifically. In this case, the user or owner of the subscriber line transmits the desired settings and specifications for the desired type of SPIT suppression, and these are then implemented at the service provider.

By Use of the method according to the invention or let the device of the invention unwanted Recognize calls, especially automated advertising calls and repel or mark as such. Thereby stand for the user a variety of ways for the individual adjustment or adaptation of the invention accordingly his needs to disposal.

1a

SIP senders

1b

PSTN phone

1c

Media gateway

1d

IP Phone

2

SIP server

3

SPIT detection device

3a

positive list

3b

negative list

3c

language analysis

3d

signature memory

4

SPIT analyzer

5a

Softphone to PC

5b

Landline phone

S1-S6

steps

SIP

session Initiation Protocol (specified in RFC 3261)

PSTN

Public Switched Telephone Network

IP

Internet Protocol

SPIT

spam over internet telephony

Claims (18)

A method of defending against Internet Protocol-based Network transmitted undesirable Phone calls, with the following steps: a) analysis and review of a for one Subscriber line incoming telephone call through an automated Detector device based on preset criteria for switching the telephone call (S1); b) Classifying the incoming telephone call into a group i) unwanted Telephone calls or into a group ii) desired telephone calls on the basis the check made in step a) (S2); and c) different follow-up of the incoming telephone call dependent from the classification made in step b) (S3-S6). Method according to claim 1, characterized in that that in step c) a switching of the telephone call on the Subscriber connection takes place if it is in step b) of group ii) has been assigned (S6). Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized that the incoming telephone call in step c) rejected or from an automatic answering machine is accepted, if it has been assigned to group i) in step b) (S5). A method according to claim 1, characterized gekenn shows that in step c) the telephone calls of both groups are switched through to the subscriber line and the telephone calls from different groups are signaled differently at a terminal connected to the subscriber line. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that an incoming telephone call in step b) the group i) is assigned, if a label associated with it on a stored in the automated detection device Negative list is included. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that an incoming telephone call in step b) the group ii) is assigned, if a label associated with it on a stored in the automated analysis device Positive list is included. Method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized that the tag is the internet protocol address, the sender's phone number, a code number, or some other unique one Identification of the incoming telephone call. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that in step a) by evaluating a corresponding Statistics is checked, whether the incoming telephone call is simultaneous or consecutive several subscriber lines and, if so, the incoming one Telephone call of the group i) is assigned. Method according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized that in step a) by automatically examining extracts of the is checked with the incoming telephone call transmitted voice message, whether the incoming telephone call is a pre-recorded voice message and, if so, the group's incoming call i) is assigned. Method according to claim 9, characterized in that that review in Step a) by comparing the extracts of the transmitted voice message is performed with known and stored recordings and / or by similarity estimation. Method according to claim 10, characterized, that if in step c) the incoming call to the subscriber line is switched through - either who was not listening yet Transfer part of the voice message becomes; - or the portion of the voice message taken until the switchover is recorded and the full voice message Time Lag to a terminal transmitted at the local loop becomes; - or the further treatment of the part made until the passage through the voice message according to preset settings on the subscriber line he follows. Method according to claim 9, characterized in that that the incoming telephone call is automatically forwarded to a system will, at first analyzes whether the incoming telephone call from a human or a machine comes and the incoming telephone call accordingly on the terminal of the called subscriber line. Method according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized that the review in step a) takes place by an automatic request for an entry takes place when receiving an input within a given Duration of the incoming telephone call of the group i) and after expiration the predetermined period of time without receiving an input of the incoming Telephone call of group ii). Method according to claim 13, characterized in that that evaluated as input a voice input or signal sequence becomes. Method according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized a detector device for the check up the subscriber line side is provided. Method according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized a detector device for the check up the service provider side is provided. Detector device for the defense of unwanted transmitted over an Internet Protocol-based network Telephone calls, characterized in that they are responsible for the implementation of Method according to one of the claims 1 to 16 is designed. Detector device according to claim 17, characterized in that that they have a voice computer for has interactive communication with the caller.