Detection and prevention of unintentional pulse dialing
Methods, systems and apparatuses can be used to detect and prevent invalid or unwanted pulses. In various implementations, a series of dial pulses received from a telephony device can be counted to determine whether the series is valid. Based upon the count, a determination can be made whether the series of dial pulses is invalid.
1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:
receiving a series of dial pulses from a telephony device;
counting a number of the dial pulses;
comparing the number to a predetermined maximum number of dial pulses;
identifying the series of dial pulses as an autodialing event if the number exceeds the predetermined maximum.
2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the predetermined maximum is ten.
3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising storing the autodialing event to a data store for analysis.
4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising sending notification to a central server based upon identification of the autodialing event.
5. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the method is performed by a media terminal adapter.
6. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising suppressing autodialing events from being passed onto a network.
7. The computer-implemented method of claim 6 , wherein the network is a hybrid fiber-cable network or a public-switched telephone network.
8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising identifying dial pulses in the series of dial pulses as valid dial pulses if the associated pulse is between about 10 milliseconds and 100 milliseconds in duration.
9. The computer-implemented method of claim 1 , further comprising identifying dial pulses in the series of dial pulses as valid dial pulses as valid hook flashes if the associated pulse is between about 300 milliseconds and 700 milliseconds.
10. One or more computer-readable media having instructions stored thereon, the one or more computer readable media, when executed by a processor, causing the processor to perform operations comprising:
receiving a series of dial pulses from a telephony device;
counting a number of the dial pulses;
comparing the number to a predetermined maximum number of dial pulses;
identifying the series of dial pulses as an autodialing event if the number exceeds the predetermined maximum.
11. The one or more computer readable media of claim 10 , wherein the predetermined maximum is ten.
12. One or more computer readable media having instructions stored thereon, the one or more computer readable media, when executed by a processor, causing the processor to perform operations comprising:
receiving a series of dial pulses from a telephony device;
identifying offhook durations of time between the dial pulses in the series of dial pulses;
comparing the durations of time to an interdigit time; and
if the period of time is greater than the interdigit time, identifying a portion of the series of dial pulses as another digit;
if the period of time is less than the interdigit time, comparing the durations of time to a valid range of offhook times; and
if the durations of time are within the valid range of times, identifying the series of dial pulses as valid dial pulses within the same digit;
if the durations of time are not within the valid range of offhook times, signaling an autodialing event.
13. The computer readable media of claim 12 , further comprising identifying the valid range of offhook times based upon variability of offhook durations between valid dial pulses.
14. The computer readable media of claim 13 , wherein the valid range of offhook times is identified as a percentage variation from a function of previous valid offhook durations.
15. The computer-implemented method of claim 13 , further comprising identifying the valid range of offhook times based upon variability of offhook durations between valid dial pulses.
16. The computer-implemented method of claim 13 , wherein the valid range of offhook times is identified as a percentage variation from a function of previous valid offhook durations.
17. A system, comprising:
a communication interface operable to receive incoming communication signals and output outgoing communication signals;
a system data store capable of storing incoming and outgoing communications and instructions associated with one or more processing elements; and
a system processor in communication with the system data store and the communication interface, wherein the system processor is operable to execute instructions associated with the one or more processing elements to perform operations comprising:
receiving a series of dial pulses from a telephony device;
counting a number of the dial pulses;
comparing the number to a predetermined maximum number of dial pulses;
identifying the series of dial pulses as an autodialing event if the number exceeds the predetermined maximum.
18. A computer-implemented method, comprising:
receiving a series of dial pulses from a telephony device;
identifying offhook durations of time between the dial pulses in the series of dial pulses;
comparing the durations of time to an interdigit time; and
if the period of time is greater than the interdigit time, identifying a portion of the series of dial pulses as another digit;
if the period of time is less than the interdigit time, comparing the durations of time to a valid range of offhook times; and
if the durations of time are within the valid range of times, identifying the series of dial pulses as valid dial pulses within the same digit;
if the durations of time are not within the valid range of offhook times, signaling an autodialing event.