Alternate Number Voicemail Segregation via API Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile device systems fail to properly handle declined calls to alternate phone numbers, often directing them to the primary voicemail system instead of a designated alternate system, which can lead to undesirable voicemail greetings and unsegregated messages for work and personal calls.
Innovation Solution
The system uses application programming interfaces (APIs) and push notifications to detect user behavior during incoming calls, allowing declined calls to alternate numbers to be redirected to a different voicemail system by activating the app before the call is received, ensuring proper handling and segregation of voicemail messages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the device uses native calling functionality to handle calls to alternate numbers, then the normal voice calling functionality can be used without using large amounts of data, but declined calls are directed to the primary voicemail system instead of a designated alternate system
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-configures multiple voicemail system options and associations between alternate numbers and specific voicemail systems in advance. When a call is received, the system has already prepared the routing logic to direct declined calls to the appropriate pre-designated voicemail system based on which alternate number was called, rather than defaulting to the primary voicemail system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary layer (the application and server infrastructure) between the native calling functionality and the voicemail systems. This intermediary monitors incoming calls, identifies when they are declined, and routes them to the appropriate voicemail system based on the alternate number being called, thereby enabling versatile voicemail selection while still using native calling for data efficiency.
2Device complexity
If declined calls to alternate numbers are handled by the primary voicemail system, then call handling is simplified, but voicemail messages cannot be segregated by number type (work vs. personal)
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the voicemail handling by creating distinct routing paths for different alternate numbers. Each alternate number can be associated with a specific voicemail system, allowing work calls and personal calls to be segregated into separate voicemail systems. This segmentation enables message organization by number type while maintaining relatively simple handling through automated routing rules.
3Reliability
If the app is activated before call receipt to detect user behavior, then declined calls can be properly redirected to alternate voicemail systems, but system resources are consumed earlier than necessary
Solution Approach 1:
The system activates the application in advance of the actual call handling moment, allowing it to monitor and detect user behavior (such as declining a call) with high reliability. This preliminary activation ensures that the system can accurately determine when a call is declined and redirect it to the appropriate voicemail system, though it does consume system resources earlier than strictly necessary.
Data Source
AI summary
According to various embodiments, declined (or unanswered) calls to an alternate number on a mobile device can be handled differently than declined calls to the device's native phone number. For example, such declined (or unanswered) calls to an alternate number can be sent to a different voicemail system than the primary voicemail system associated with the device's native voice call functionality. The techniques described herein can be applied to any situation in which a call is declined or otherwise disposed of, including, for example: the recipient failing to answer the call; the device being in airplane mode; a “do not disturb” setting preventing acceptance of the call; or the like.