Method and system device for deterring spam over internet protocol telephony and spam instant messaging

• US 20070039040A1
• Filed: 08/12/2005
• Published: 02/15/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 08/12/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc. (Cisco Systems, Inc.)
• Inventors: McRae, Matthew, Harrington, Kendra, Huotari, Allen
• Granted Patent: US 7,992,205 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 726/4
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/04 Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/212 using filtering or selective blocking
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1079 of unsolicited session attempts, e.g. SPIT
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1108 Web based protocols, e.g. webRTC
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/663 Preventing unauthorised calls to a telephone set
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/74 with voice recognition means voice activated dialling H04M1/271; voice recognition algorithms G10L15/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/436 Arrangements for screening incoming calls , i.e. evaluating the characteristics of a call before deciding whether to answer it based on the calling party profile H04M3/42059; based on location H04M3/42348; based on presence H04M3/42365; diversion H04M3/54

Abstract

A method, system and device for deterring spam on a communication medium are disclosed. The method includes detecting a call with a device for accessing the communication medium, wherein calls thereon include Internet Protocol traffic. The device includes an interface for allowing a user of to flag the call as a spam call (e.g., SPIT, SPIM, etc). Upon the flag, a signaling message associated with the call is accessed. The signaling message is stored as information relating to spam call sources. Upon detecting a subsequent call, a signaling message associated with the subsequent call is compared with the information relating to spam call sources. Upon a match between the signaling message associated with the subsequent call and the information relating to spam call sources, the subsequent call is blocked.

Claims

1. A method for deterring spam on a communication medium, comprising:

detecting a call with a device for accessing said communication medium, wherein call traffic thereon comprises information substantially conforming with an internet protocol and wherein said device includes an interface for allowing a user of said device to flag said call as a spam call;

upon said flag, accessing a signaling message associated with said call;

storing said signaling message as information relating to spam call sources;

upon detecting a subsequent call, comparing a signaling message associated with said subsequent call with said information relating to spam call sources; and

upon a match between said signaling message associated with said subsequent call and said information relating to spam call sources, blocking said subsequent call.

2. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said storing is associated locally with one or more of said device and a portion of said communication medium.

3. The method as recited in claim 1 further comprising reporting said spam call signaling message to an entity associated locally, with respect to said device, with the operation of said communication medium.

4. The method as recited in claim 3 wherein said comparing further comprises:

accessing spam call source identity information stored with said entity; and

further comparing said signaling message associated with said subsequent call with said spam call source identity information stored therewith.

5. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said interface comprises one or more hardware based key type components associated with said device.

6. The method as recited in claim 5 wherein said flag comprises a sequence of actuations of said key type components.

7. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said interface comprises a graphical user interface.

8. The method as recited in claim 7 wherein said flag comprises a user action with an interactive soft key accessed with said graphical user interface.

9. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said user interface comprises a voice activated interface.

10. The method as recited in claim 1 wherein said device comprises a telephonic device.

11. The method as recited in claim 10 wherein said telephonic device comprises a cellular telephone.

12. The method as recited in claim 10 wherein said telephonic device comprises a Voice over Internet Protocol capable telephone.

13. The method as recited in claim 10 wherein said telephonic device comprises:

an analog telephone; and

an analog telephone adapter coupled to said analog telephone, for communicatively coupling said analog telephone to said communication medium.

14. The device as recited in claim 1 wherein said device comprises a computer.

15. A system for deterring spam calls over a communication medium, said system comprising:

means for detecting a call with a device for accessing said communication medium, wherein call traffic thereon comprises information substantially conforming with an internet protocol and wherein said device comprises means for allowing a user of said device to flag said call as a spam call;

means for, upon said flag, accessing a signaling message associated with said call;

means for storing said signaling message as information relating to spam call sources;

means for, upon detecting a subsequent call, comparing a signaling message associated with said subsequent call with said information relating to spam call sources; and

means for, upon a match between said signaling message associated with said subsequent call and said information relating to spam call sources, blocking said subsequent call.

16. A method for managing a communication medium, comprising:

providing access to said communication medium in exchange for valuable consideration;

detecting a call with a device for accessing said communication medium, wherein call traffic thereon comprises information substantially conforming with an internet protocol and wherein said device includes an interface for allowing a user of said device to flag said call as a spam call;

upon said flag, accessing a signaling message associated with said call;

storing said signaling message as information relating to spam call sources;

upon detecting a subsequent call, comparing a signaling message associated with said subsequent call with said information relating to spam call sources; and

upon a match between said signaling message associated with said subsequent call and said information relating to spam call sources, blocking said subsequent call.

17. A method for deterring spam on a communication medium, comprising:

detecting a call with a device for accessing said communication medium, wherein call traffic thereon comprises information substantially conforming with an internet protocol and wherein said device includes an interface for allowing a user of said device to flag said call as a spam call;

upon said flag, accessing a signaling message associated with said call;

storing said signaling message as information relating to spam call sources wherein said storing is performed with a portion of said communication medium and wherein said portion of said communication medium comprises a portion of said communication system associated locally, with respect to said device, with the operation of said communication medium;

upon detecting a subsequent call, comparing a signaling message associated with said subsequent call with said information relating to spam call sources; and

upon a match between said signaling message associated with said subsequent call and said information relating to spam call sources, blocking said subsequent call.

18. The method as recited in claim 17 wherein said portion of said communication medium comprises one or more of a private branch exchange and a call manager.

19. The method as recited in claim 17 further comprising reporting said spam call signaling message to an entity locally associated, with respect to said device, with the operation of said portion of said communication medium.

20. The method as recited in claim 19 wherein said comparing further comprises:

accessing spam call source identity information stored with said entity; and

further comparing said signaling message associated with said subsequent call with said spam call source identity information stored therewith.

21. The method as recited in claim 17 wherein said device performs one or more of a communicating function and a computing function.

22. The method as recited in claim 21 wherein said device comprises one or more of an internet protocol telephone, a cellular telephone, a legacy telephone, a desktop telephone, a WiFi™

telephone, a dual mode telephone, an analog telephone coupled to said communication medium with an analog telephone adapter and a computer.