WO2023129060A2

WO2023129060A2 - System and method of making and receiving calls by hiding the number

Info

Publication number: WO2023129060A2
Application number: PCT/TR2022/051628
Authority: WO
Inventors: Esra Ozlem OZUMUZTOPRAK; Volkan USTUN; Koray VATANSEVER
Original assignee: Turkcell Teknoloji Arastirma Ve Gelistirme Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2021-12-27
Filing date: 2022-12-27
Publication date: 2023-07-06
Also published as: TR2021021279A2; WO2023129060A3

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system (1) and method (100) for making and receiving calls by hiding the number which enables users of the application (3) to make calls with a nickname without revealing their telephone number (MSISDN- GSM number) whereby they are registered to the application (3) in OTT (over-the-top)-based messaging and/or calling applications (3).

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD OF MAKING AND RECEIVING CALLS BY HIDING THE NUMBER

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a system and method for making and receiving calls by hiding the number which enables users of the application to make calls with a nickname without revealing their telephone number (MSISDN-GSM number) whereby they are registered to the application in OTT (over-the-top)-based messaging and/or calling applications.

Background of the Invention

Currently, users can establish voice and video communication over GSM technologies or OTT-based applications. However, users use their GSM numbers for this purpose and the called party is provided with the GSM number of the calling party. But, in some cases, providing the said GSM number to the other party causes discomfort among users.

Therefore, there is a need for systems and methods which enable to make a voice and video call wherein the GSM number information of users is hidden, over OTT- based messaging and/or calling applications.

The Turkish patent document no. 2011/06505, an application in the state of the art, discloses a number hiding system. The system comprises at least two mobile devices wherein voice communication will be established between each other, at least one network which enables mobile devices to exchange data, at least one processor which enables to fulfil user requests and allow one mobile device to call another one with a nickname without knowing its number, at least one data bus which enables to send data from the mobile devices to the processor, at least one database wherein the information of user mobile device and nickname are kept, at least one SMS transmission unit which is connected to the processor and ensures that notification messages are sent to mobile devices via SMS, at least one call origination unit which is connected to the processor and ensures that voice communication is established between mobile devices. However, a system and method for making and receiving calls over OTT-based messaging and/or calling applications with a nickname by hiding the phone number of users is not mentioned.

Summary of the Invention

The object of the present invention is to realize a system and method for making and receiving calls by hiding the number which enables users of the application to make calls with a nickname without revealing their telephone number (MSISDN- GSM number) whereby they are registered to the application in OTT (over-the- top)-based messaging and/or calling applications.

Detailed Description of Invention

The “system and method of making and receiving calls by hiding the number” realized to fulfil the objective of the present invention is shown in the figures attached, in which:

Figure l is a schematic view of the inventive system.

Figure l is a flow diagram of the steps of the inventive system.

The components illustrated in the figures are individually numbered, where the numbers refer to the following:

1. System

2. Electronic device 3. Application

4. Database

5. Server

100. Method

The inventive system (1) which enables to make and receive a call over OTT-based messaging and/or calling applications with a nickname by hiding the number comprises: at least one electronic device (2) which can run at least one application on itself and establish communication with remote servers by using any remote communication protocol; at least one OTT-based application (3) which is run on the electronic device (2) and configured to make voice and video calls with a nickname by hiding the GSM number; at least one database (4) which is configured to keep the user’s GSM number, ID information and customized nickname intended to be displayed in calls, under record; and at least one server (5) which is configured to create authorization for the user to make/receive a call by hiding his/her number upon the GSM number, ID information and customized nickname information input are received over the OTT-based messaging and/or calling applications (3); to initiate a voice and video call over the OTT applications (3) without using GSM technology to another user who is authorized to make/receive a call by hiding his/her number with the created authorization and to receive a call from these users; to transmit a call to the other party with a nickname without displaying the number information in the initiated or received calls.

The electronic device (2) included in the inventive system (1) is a device such as smartphone, smartwatch, tablet computer, desktop computer or mobile computer having at least one microphone, at least one speaker, and at least one camera. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the electronic device (2) is configured to run at least one application that enables to make a voice and video call without using GSM technologies with a nickname of the user by hiding the GSM number, on itself. The said electronic device (2) is configured to establish connection with the server (5) by using any remote communication protocol included in the state of the art and to realize data exchange between the application (3) and the server (5) over this connection established. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the electronic device (2) is configured to realize data exchange with the server (5) by using Internet as a data bus. In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the electronic device (2) is configured to realize data exchange with the server (5) by using SIP signalling protocol as a data bus. In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the electronic device (2) is configured to realize data exchange with the server (5) by using REST and/or SOAP interfaces over HTTP and/or HTTPS as a data bus.

The application (3) included in the inventive system (1) is run on the electronic device (2) and it is configured to realize data exchange with the server (5) over the communication established between the electronic device (2) and the server (5). The said application (3) is configured to enable the user to create a record with the GSM number, that is the mobile contact number (MSISDN) on the SIM card, in order to make voice and video calls with a nickname without using GSM technology. The application (3) is configured to provide at least one interface that enables to input customized and unique nickname information with additional ID information to the GSM number during the record created for making a call by using the nickname. The application (3) is configured to display the result about the transaction of creating record for the user with the information input. The application (3) is configured to initiate a voice and video call to the other party and to respond to the call incoming from the other party by using a nickname and such that the GSM number is hidden.

The database (4) included in the inventive system (1) is in communication with the server (5) and is configured to be managed by the server (5). In one preferred arrangement of the invention, the database (4) is configured to keep the GSM number, ID information and nickname information -that are received over the application (3)- of the users under record such that they are matched with one another in OTT-based audio and video calls to be made with a nickname without using GSM technology. The database (4) is configured to keep the nickname, ID information and GSM number information -that are input by all users who want to have the authorization to make a call with a nickname over the OTT-based messaging and/or calling application (3) without using GSM technology- under record. The database (4) is configured to hide the GSM information in the records of the users who want to make a call with a nickname over OTT-based applications, and to keep them under record.

The server (5) included in the inventive system (1) is configured to establish communication with the electronic device (2) by using any remote communication protocol and to realize data exchange with the application (3) that is run on the electronic device (2) over this communication established. The server (5) is configured to manage the database (4) by means of transactions such as recording new data into the database (4), deleting the recorded data inside the database (4), or modifying the recorded data inside the database (4), and updating the recorded data inside the database (4). The said server (5) is configured to enable receive a request for creating a record over the OTT-based application (3) from users who want to initiate and/or receive voice and video calls only with a nickname by hiding the GSM number. The server (5) is configured to request users to input their GSM numbers, ID information, and customized nickname information included on their SIM cards, upon the request for creating record received. The server (5) is configured to enable the user to be provided with an information such that a record is created and s/he is authorized to make a call with a nickname over the OTT-based messaging and/or calling application (3), upon completion of the information input. The server (5) is configured to record all information of the user such that they are matched with one another upon the requested information are input and to transmit the data that an authorization to make a call with a nickname is available so as to store it therein, when it is requested to make a voice and video call by means of these information, to the database (4). The server (5) is configured to request the user to input a nickname and ID information in order to make a voice and video call over the OTT-based messaging and/or calling application (3) without using GSM technology. The server (5) is configured to check whether the nickname and ID information of the user who intends to make a call are authorized to make a call with a nickname over the OTT-based messaging and/or calling application (3) without using GSM technology, in accordance with the data being recorded in the database (4) and to grant permission to initiate a call in the event that a match is found as a result of the check. The server (5) is configured to deny the request of the user to initiate a call if the user is not authorized to make a call with a nickname over the OTT based messaging and/or calling application (3) without using GSM technology. The server (5) is configured to request the person who is authorized to make a call with a nickname over the OTT-based messaging and/or calling application (3) without using GSM technology, to input the user information and nickname of the user they want to call. The server (5) is configured to query the nickname and user information that the s/he wants to call, from the database (4) and to determine whether the user is authorized to make a call with the nickname of the information input. The server (5) is configured to transmit a voice and video call to the user intended to be called by hiding the GSM number of the user who wants to initiate a call such that the nickname information and ID information is displayed, when the nickname and ID information of the user intended to be called is available in the database (4) and it is determined that the user has the authorization to initiate/receive a call with the nickname. The server (5) is configured to enable a user, who is authorized to make a call with a nickname over the OTT-based application (3), to be called by another user who is also recorded to be authorized to make a call with the nickname without displaying the GSM number.

The inventive method (100) which enables to make and receive a call over OTT- based messaging and/or calling applications with a nickname by hiding the number comprises steps of - the users creating a record to the OTT-based messaging or calling application (3) included on their electronic devices (2), with their GSM numbers on their SIM cards (ioi);

- transmitting the GSM number information used to create the record to the database (4) by means of customized services by REST interfaces over HTTPS (102);

- generating a unique and customized ID information by using the GSM number information of the user and recording it in the database (4) (103);

- transmitting the customized and unique nickname information, in addition to the ID information, to the database (4) with the record information of the user (104);

- the users opening the application (3) following the record to initiate a call with a nickname over the application (3) (105);

- the user making a request to make a voice and/or video call towards another user who is registered to make a call with a nickname (106);

- transmitting the nickname and ID information of the called user to the application (3) of the calling user by the server (5) in order to initiate a call (107);

- transmitting the information regarding the GSM number and nickname match to the database (4) by means of the server (5) without displaying the GSM number of the called user to the calling user (108);

- displaying only the nickname information of the called user on the application (3) screen of the calling user (109);

- the application (3) of the calling user, which receives the nickname and ID information of the called user, transmitting a call request to the server (5) by standard methods specified in the SIP signalling protocol over the internet protocol by using these information (110);

- hiding the GSM number by using the ID information of the calling user instead of the headers regarding the GSM number from which the call will be made to which GSM number in the call request before the request is transmitted (111);

- hiding the information of called GSM number by using the ID information of the called user instead of the GSM number of the called user on the protocols whereby the call will be made (112); - adding the nicknames of the calling and called users and the related service types in a special SIP header (113);

- verifying the related user in the database (4) by using the ID information of the called user in the SIP call request and matching it with the GSM number, after the call request is transmitted and received by the server (5) (114);

- inserting the GSM information of the called user, that is obtained as a result of the verification, into the header within the new SIP call request to be sent to the application of the called user (115);

- inserting the information of user nickname and service type within the call request, that is transmitted from the application (3) of the calling user, into the newly generated call request without any change by the server (5) (116);

- transmitting the call request to the application of the called user by using the information inserted into the new call request (117);

- not providing the GSM number information of the calling user within the incoming call request to the called user (118);

- displaying the GSM number information of the called user in the call request header and the ID information of the called user in the header section that indicates to whom the call is made (119);

- accepting the call by responding to the SIP invitation wherefrom the call request is received, with the SIP 200 OK message (120);

- hiding the called GSM number by replacing the GSM information of the called user with the ID information of the called user via the SIP 200 OK message sent (121);

- bidirectional initiation of voice and/or video communication between applications, when the called user accepts the incoming call request (122); and

- the applications transmitting voice/video packets via signalling during call set-up either over the specified media server through signalling or directly so as to be in an end-to-end way (123).

Industrial Applicability of the Invention With the inventive system and method (1), it is possible for users to call the other party users with a nickname information by hiding the GSM number information over OTT-based messaging or calling applications (3) such as BIP, WhatsApp, Telegram, and Signal. Thereby, it is ensured that users can communicate with the other party with less concern when their GSM number is hidden and also data privacy is provided.

The electronic device (2), the application (3), the database (4) and the server (5) included in the inventive system (1) submit information and approval to the user in accordance with the principles of data privacy and they operate within the scope of the Law on Protection of Personal Data (KVKK).

Within these basic concepts; it is possible to develop a wide variety of embodiments of the inventive “system and method of making and receiving calls by hiding the number (1)”; the invention cannot be limited to examples disclosed herein and it is essentially according to claims.

Claims

CLAIMS A system (1) which enables to make and receive a call over OTT-based messaging and/or calling applications with a nickname by hiding the number; comprising at least one electronic device (2) which can run at least one application on itself and establish communication with remote servers by using any remote communication protocol; at least one OTT-based application (3) which is run on the electronic device (2) and configured to make voice and video calls with a nickname by hiding the GSM number; at least one database (4) which is configured to keep the user’s GSM number, ID information and customized nickname intended to be displayed in calls, under record; and characterized by at least one server (5) which is configured to create authorization for the user to make/receive a call by hiding his/her number upon the GSM number, ID information and customized nickname information input are received over the OTT-based messaging and/or calling applications (3); to initiate a voice and video call over the OTT applications (3) without using GSM technology to another user who is authorized to make/receive a call by hiding his/her number with the created authorization and to receive a call from these users; to transmit a call to the other party with a nickname without displaying the number information in the initiated or received calls. A system (1) according to Claim 1; characterized by the electronic device (2) which is a smartphone, smartwatch, tablet computer, desktop computer or mobile computer having at least one microphone, at least one speaker, and at least one camera.

3. A system (1) according to Claim 1 or 2; characterized by the electronic device (2) which is configured to run at least one application that enables to make a voice and video call without using GSM technologies with a nickname of the user by hiding the GSM number, on itself.

4. A system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the electronic device (2) which is configured to establish connection with the server (5) by using any remote communication protocol and to realize data exchange between the application (3) and the server (5) over this connection established.

5. A system (1) according to Claim 4; characterized by the electronic device (2) which is configured to realize data exchange with the server (5) by using Internet as a data bus.

6. A system (1) according to Claim 4; characterized by the electronic device (2) which is configured to realize data exchange with the server (5) by using SIP signalling protocol as a data bus.

7. A system (1) according to Claim 4; characterized by the electronic device (2) which is configured to realize data exchange with the server (5) by using REST and/or SOAP interfaces over HTTP and/or HTTPS as a data bus.

8. A system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the application (3) which is run on the electronic device (2) and is configured to realize data exchange with the server (5) over the communication established between the electronic device (2) and the server (5).

9. A system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the application (3) which is configured to enable the user to create a record with the GSM number, that is the mobile contact number (MSISDN) on the SIM card, in order to make a voice and video call with a nickname without using GSM technology.

10. A system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the application (3) which is configured to provide at least one interface that enables to input customized and unique nickname information with additional ID information to the GSM number during the record created for making a call by using the nickname.

11. A system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the application (3) which is configured to display the result about the transaction of creating record for the user with the information input.

12. A system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the application (3) which is configured to initiate a voice and video call to the other party and to respond to the call incoming from the other party by using a nickname and such that the GSM number is hidden.

13. A system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the database (4) which is in communication with the server (5) and configured to be managed by the server (5).

14. A system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the database (4) which is configured to keep the GSM number, ID information and nickname information -that are received over the application (3)- of the users under record such that they are matched with one another in OTT-based audio and video calls to be made with a nickname without using GSM technology. A system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the database (4) which is configured to keep the nickname, ID information and GSM number information -that are input by all users who want to have the authorization to make a call with a nickname over the OTT- based messaging and/or calling application (3) without using GSM technology- under record. A system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the database (4) which is configured to hide the GSM information in the records of the users who want to make a call with a nickname over OTT- based applications, and to keep them under record. A system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the server (5) which is configured to establish communication with the electronic device (2) by using any remote communication protocol and to realize data exchange with the application (3) that is run on the electronic device (2) over this communication established. A system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the server (5) which is configured to manage the database (4) by means of transactions such as recording new data into the database (4), deleting the recorded data inside the database (4), or modifying the recorded data inside the database (4), and updating the recorded data inside the database (4). A system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the server (5) which is configured to enable receive a request for creating a record over the OTT-based application (3) from users who want to initiate and/or receive voice and video calls only with a nickname by hiding the GSM number. A system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the server (5) which is configured to request users to input their GSM numbers, ID information, and customized nickname information included on their SIM cards, upon the request for creating record received. A system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the server (5) which is configured to enable the user to be provided with an information such that a record is created and s/he is authorized to make a call with a nickname over the OTT-based messaging and/or calling application (3), upon completion of the information input. A system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the server (5) which is configured to record all information of the user such that they are matched with one another upon the requested information are input and to transmit the data that an authorization to make a call with a nickname is available so as to store it therein, when it is requested to make a voice and video call by means of these information, to the database (4). A system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the server (5) which is configured to request the user to input a nickname and ID information in order to make a voice and video call over the OTT- based messaging and/or calling application (3) without using GSM technology. A system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the server (5) which is configured to check whether the nickname and ID information of the user who intends to make a call are authorized to make a call with a nickname over the OTT-based messaging and/or calling application (3) without using GSM technology, in accordance with the data being recorded in the database (4) and to grant permission to initiate a call in the event that a match is found as a result of the check.

25. A system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the server (5) which is configured to deny the request of the user to initiate a call if the user is not authorized to make a call with a nickname over the OTT based messaging and/or calling application (3) without using GSM technology.

26. A system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the server (5) which is configured to request the person who is authorized to make a call with a nickname over the OTT-based messaging and/or calling application (3) without using GSM technology, to input the user information and nickname of the user they want to call.

27. A system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the server (5) which is configured to query the nickname and user information that the s/he wants to call, from the database (4) and to determine whether the user is authorized to make a call with the nickname of the information input.

28. A system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the server (5) which is configured to transmit a voice and video call to the user intended to be called by hiding the GSM number of the user who wants to initiate a call such that the nickname information and ID information is displayed, when the nickname and ID information of the user intended to be called is available in the database (4) and it is determined that the user has the authorization to initiate/receive a call with the nickname.

29. A system (1) according to any one of the preceding claims; characterized by the server (5) which is configured to enable a user, who is authorized to make a call with a nickname over the OTT-based application (3), to be called by another user who is also recorded to be authorized to make a call with the nickname without displaying the GSM number. A method (100) which enables to make and receive a call over OTT-based messaging and/or calling applications with a nickname by hiding the number; characterized by steps of

- the users creating a record to the OTT-based messaging or calling application (3) included on their electronic devices (2), with their GSM numbers on their SIM cards (101);

- hiding the information of called GSM number by using the ID information of the called user instead of the GSM number of the called user on the protocols whereby the call will be made (112);

- adding the nicknames of the calling and called users and the related service types in a special SIP header (113);

- verifying the related user in the database (4) by using the ID information of the called user in the SIP call request and matching it with the GSM number, after the call request is transmitted and received by the server (5) (H4);

- accepting the call by responding to the SIP invitation wherefrom the call request is received, with the SIP 200 OK message (120); - hiding the called GSM number by replacing the GSM information of the called user with the ID information of the called user via the SIP 200 OK message sent (121);