Caller Information Display

Oct 13, 2025 by talynt.org 96 views

Feature Request: Call Lookup - Enhancing User Experience with Reverse Phone Lookup

Introduction

In today's digital age, unknown phone calls can be a source of anxiety and uncertainty. With the rise of spam calls and telemarketing, it's becoming increasingly difficult for users to distinguish between legitimate and unwanted calls. To address this issue, we propose the implementation of a reverse phone lookup feature, allowing users to perform a lookup on unknown phone numbers and retrieve relevant caller information directly on the call screen.

Problem Statement

Unknown phone calls can be a significant source of stress and frustration for users. With the proliferation of spam calls and telemarketing, it's becoming increasingly challenging for users to determine whether a call is legitimate or not. Current solutions often rely on manual research or third-party apps, which can be time-consuming and inconvenient.

Proposed Solution

To address this issue, we propose the implementation of a reverse phone lookup feature, which integrates with a reverse phone lookup API (e.g., Whitepages or an alternative). This feature will allow users to perform a lookup on unknown phone numbers and retrieve relevant caller information directly on the call screen.

Design Requirements

To design an effective reverse phone lookup feature, we need to consider the following requirements:

UI Component: Design a UI component (e.g., a phone icon or info button) that triggers the lookup.
API Integration: Integrate with a reverse lookup API, handling network calls and caching results.
Caller Information Display: Display retrieved caller information (name, location, potential spam flag) in an accessible format.

Designing the UI Component

The UI component should be intuitive and easily accessible. We propose designing a phone icon or info button that appears on the call screen when an unknown call is received. When tapped, this button triggers the lookup process.

**Phone Icon Design**
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* **Icon Size**: 24x24 pixels
* **Icon Color**: #007bff (default) or #dc3545 (error)
* **Icon Shape**: Rounded rectangle
* **Icon Text**: "Lookup" or "Info"

Integrating with a Reverse Lookup API

To integrate with a reverse lookup API, we need to handle network calls and caching results. We propose using a caching mechanism to store recent lookup results, reducing the number of API calls and improving performance.

**API Integration**
-------------------

* **API Endpoint**: `https://api.whitepages.com/v1/phone/{phone_number}`
* **API Method**: GET
* **API Parameters**: `phone_number`, `api_key`
* **API Response**: JSON object containing caller information

Displaying Caller Information

To display retrieved caller information, we need to design an accessible format. We propose using a card-based layout to display caller information, including name, location, and potential spam flag.

**Caller Information Display**
---------------------------

* **Card Layout**: Card-based layout with rounded corners and shadows
* **Card Content**: Name, location, and potential spam flag
* **Card Color**: #f8f9fa (default) or #dc3545 (error)

Acceptance Criteria

To ensure the feature meets the required standards, we need to define acceptance criteria. We propose the following criteria:

Lookup Button: When an unknown call is received, tapping the lookup button retrieves and displays caller details.
API Failure Handling: The feature gracefully handles API failures and provides a fallback message.
Caching Mechanism: The feature uses a caching mechanism to store recent lookup results, reducing the number of API calls and improving performance.

Conclusion

The proposed reverse phone lookup feature will enhance user experience by providing a convenient and accessible way to retrieve caller information. By integrating with a reverse lookup API and designing an intuitive UI component, we can provide users with a seamless and stress-free experience when dealing with unknown phone calls.

Future Work

To further enhance the feature, we propose the following future work:

Integration with Multiple APIs: Integrate with multiple reverse lookup APIs to provide a more comprehensive and accurate caller information.
Advanced Filtering: Implement advanced filtering options to allow users to filter caller information based on specific criteria (e.g., location, name).
Caller Information Sharing: Allow users to share caller information with friends and family, improving community awareness and reducing spam calls.

References

Whitepages API Documentation: https://api.whitepages.com/docs
Reverse Phone Lookup API Comparison: https://www.g2.com/products/reverse-phone-lookup/api

Change Log

2023-02-20: Initial feature proposal
2023-03-01: Revised feature proposal based on feedback
2023-03-15: Finalized feature design and implementation plan
Call Lookup Feature: Q&A

Introduction

The Call Lookup feature is a proposed enhancement to the existing phone app, designed to provide users with a convenient and accessible way to retrieve caller information. In this Q&A article, we'll address common questions and concerns related to the feature.

Q: What is the Call Lookup feature?

A: The Call Lookup feature is a reverse phone lookup service that allows users to perform a lookup on unknown phone numbers and retrieve relevant caller information directly on the call screen.

Q: How does the Call Lookup feature work?

A: The feature integrates with a reverse lookup API, handling network calls and caching results. When a user taps the lookup button, the feature sends a request to the API, which returns caller information in a JSON object. The feature then displays this information in an accessible format on the call screen.

Q: What information is displayed in the Call Lookup feature?

A: The feature displays the following caller information:

Name
Location
Potential spam flag

Q: How does the feature handle API failures?

A: The feature gracefully handles API failures and provides a fallback message to the user. If the API request fails, the feature will display an error message indicating that the lookup was unsuccessful.

Q: Is the Call Lookup feature secure?

A: Yes, the feature is designed with security in mind. The feature uses HTTPS to encrypt API requests and responses, ensuring that sensitive information is protected.

Q: Can I customize the Call Lookup feature?

A: Yes, the feature can be customized to meet specific requirements. For example, users can choose to display or hide certain caller information fields.

Q: How does the feature handle caching?

A: The feature uses a caching mechanism to store recent lookup results, reducing the number of API calls and improving performance.

Q: Can I integrate the Call Lookup feature with other services?

A: Yes, the feature can be integrated with other services, such as CRM systems or customer support platforms.

Q: What are the benefits of the Call Lookup feature?

A: The feature provides several benefits, including:

Improved user experience: Users can quickly and easily retrieve caller information, reducing stress and anxiety.
Enhanced security: The feature helps users identify potential spam calls and avoid unwanted interactions.
Increased productivity: The feature saves users time and effort by providing quick access to caller information.

Q: What are the potential drawbacks of the Call Lookup feature?

A: The feature may have some potential drawbacks, including:

Increased data usage: The feature may require additional data usage, depending on the frequency of lookups.
API limitations: The feature may be limited by the capabilities of the reverse lookup API, such as the availability of caller information.

Q: How can I get started with the Call Lookup feature?

A: To get started with the feature, follow these steps:

Integrate the feature with your existing phone app.
Configure the feature to meet your specific requirements.
Test the feature to ensure it is working as expected.

Conclusion

The Call Lookup feature is a powerful tool that can enhance user experience and improve security. By addressing common questions and concerns, we hope to provide a better understanding of the feature and its benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the cost of implementing the Call Lookup feature? A: The cost of implementing the feature will depend on the specific requirements and complexity of the integration.
Q: Can I use the Call Lookup feature with my existing CRM system? A: Yes, the feature can be integrated with your existing CRM system.
Q: How does the Call Lookup feature handle international calls? A: The feature can handle international calls, but may require additional configuration and API support.

References

Whitepages API Documentation: https://api.whitepages.com/docs
Reverse Phone Lookup API Comparison: https://www.g2.com/products/reverse-phone-lookup/api

Change Log

2023-02-20: Initial feature proposal
2023-03-01: Revised feature proposal based on feedback
2023-03-15: Finalized feature design and implementation plan