Invented by Shea; Bradford A., Hanson; Carrie Anne, Johnson; Aaron L., Nichols; Tambra

Phone scams are a big problem, especially for people who do not use technology a lot. A new patent application has come out with a method and system to stop these phone scams, focusing on helping older adults who still use landlines. In this article, we will break down what makes this invention special and how it can help keep vulnerable people safe from tricky scam calls.

Background and Market Context

Phone scams are everywhere. Every day, people get calls from strangers pretending to be someone they can trust. Sometimes it is someone pretending to be a family member in trouble. Other times, it is a fake bank worker trying to get secret information. These scams are not new, but they have gotten smarter and harder to spot. Sadly, older adults are often the main targets. They might not have a mobile phone or use the internet much. Instead, they depend on their old landline phones for talking with friends and family.

Landline phones are simple, but that is why scammers like them. There are not many tools to block bad calls or warn about scams. Most tools made for stopping scam calls work on smartphones or computers. This leaves a big gap for people who only use regular phones at home. Many families worry about their parents or grandparents getting tricked by a clever phone scam, but they do not have a good way to help them from far away.

There is a clear need for a simple device that connects to home phone lines and gives strong protection. It must be easy to use, with large buttons and clear screens, so even people who do not like gadgets can use it. Families also want a way to check in, set up safe contact lists, and get alerts if something seems wrong. The market for this kind of device is huge, as millions of homes still use landlines, especially among older adults.

With more scams happening every year, and with scammers getting better at tricking people, the demand for an easy, home-based fraud prevention tool has never been higher. Companies and inventors have tried different ways to solve this problem, but none have made a big difference for people who just want to use their simple home phone safely.

Scientific Rationale and Prior Art

To understand why this patent is important, let’s look at what has been tried before. Many anti-fraud tools use caller ID, spam filters, or call blocking apps. These work well on smartphones, but not on regular phones. Some phone companies offer services to block known scam numbers, but these are often limited and not very flexible. They also do not help if the scammer uses a new number or tricks caller ID systems.

Some devices can be added to phone lines to block calls or screen them. These are often hard to set up, with small buttons or confusing menus. Many older adults find them too hard to use. These devices also do not look at what is actually being said during the call. They just block based on the caller’s number, which is not always enough.

There are also phone systems that let family members set up contact lists or get alerts about calls. But these are usually part of smart-home setups, which require internet, Wi-Fi, or other tech that many older adults do not have. Plus, these systems do not always show clear warnings or make it easy for the person using the phone to get help.

The main gap in all these older solutions is that they do not look at the content of the phone call. They do not know if the person on the other end is trying to trick the user into giving out private information like a social security number or a bank account. They also do not provide a simple, colorful warning that is easy to see and understand during the call. Most importantly, they are not made with the needs of older, non-technical users in mind.

The patent we are looking at brings together several new ideas: it listens to the call, checks for patterns that might mean a scam, and shows a clear warning on a big screen. Family members can also help set up and manage the device from far away. This is a big step forward compared to what has been done before.

Invention Description and Key Innovations

This new invention is a special device that connects to a home phone line. It works with regular phones that are not mobile phones. The device does several important things that make it stand out:

1. It listens to calls and checks for danger.
When a call comes in, the device gets the caller’s number. Then, it lets the call go through to the regular phone, so the user can answer as usual. While the call is happening, the device listens to what is being said. It turns the spoken words into text and looks for patterns that could be risky. For example, if someone says a string of numbers that could be a social security number, or words like “bank account” or “password,” the device spots this and knows there might be a problem.

2. It uses color and clear messages to warn the user.

The device has a big screen with simple colors. If the call is from a trusted person—like a family member on a safe list—the screen turns green and shows their picture (if there is one). If the call is from a number known to be bad, the screen goes red and shows a clear warning to not answer the call. If the call is unknown, the screen might go yellow, telling the user to be careful. During the call, if the device thinks private information is being shared, it shows a message to warn the user to be careful.

3. It shows a map of scam activity in the area.
When the phone is not in use, the device can show a map with colors to show how much scam activity is happening nearby. For example, red might mean a lot of scams, yellow is some, and green is little or none. This helps the user stay aware of what is going on in their neighborhood or city.

4. It is easy for families to help from far away.
Family members or trusted friends can log in from their own phones or computers to update the safe contact list, change settings, or check alerts. This way, if a scammer starts calling, the family can block the number or change the warnings quickly—even if they are not in the same house or city.

5. It is made for people who do not like or use gadgets.
The device uses large buttons and big text. There are only a few choices on the screen at a time, so it is not confusing. The design is made for older adults or anyone who wants things to be simple. The device can also send warnings to other smart devices in the house, like a TV, so the user can see the warning even if they are not near the phone.

6. It keeps information safe and private.
All the checking and listening can happen in the device itself, so nothing private needs to leave the house unless the user or family wants it to. This keeps personal information safe and does not send recordings or texts out to the internet unless it is needed for updates or help from family.

7. It can work even if there is no internet in the house.
The device can use a cellular connection if needed, so it does not depend on the user having Wi-Fi or broadband. This is important for people who just use a phone line and do not have other technology at home.

The patent also covers different ways to set up the device, methods for updating the safe and block lists, and ways for the system to learn and improve over time. The big idea is to make a smart, but very simple, guard for the home phone line that anyone can use, with help from family if needed.

Conclusion

This new patent offers a real solution for a real problem. It brings together smart technology and simple design to protect people who are most at risk from phone scams. The device can listen for trouble, show clear warnings, and let families help from anywhere. It does all this while being easy to use and keeping private information safe. As phone scams keep growing, this kind of invention could make a big difference for millions of homes. If you have a loved one who still uses a landline, or if you worry about scam calls, keep an eye out for devices like this coming to the market. They could be the shield your family needs.

Click here https://ppubs.uspto.gov/pubwebapp/ and search 20250337834.