Audio Muting and Call Forwarding via Presence Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems lack an efficient mechanism to automatically forward telephone calls based on presence information and manage audio rendering during calls, leading to inconvenience and potential missed connections due to manual forwarding and audio interference.
Innovation Solution
A call forwarding system that subscribes to presence and telephone information to automatically forward calls to the device where the user is most likely present, and a muting system that automatically mutes audio during incoming calls and resumes it after the call ends, allowing users to configure specific actions for various call events.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If manual call forwarding is implemented, then calls can be redirected to secondary numbers, but user convenience deteriorates due to requiring manual intervention and memory of forwarding rules
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically determines call forwarding destinations based on real-time presence information without requiring manual user intervention. The presence server autonomously routes calls to the most appropriate device based on user availability status, eliminating the need for users to manually configure forwarding rules.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors presence information and uses this feedback to dynamically adjust call routing decisions. The presence server receives real-time updates about user availability and automatically modifies call forwarding behavior based on current conditions, creating a closed-loop control system.
2Reliability
If sequential call forwarding to multiple secondary numbers is implemented, then call delivery reliability improves, but time consumption increases due to sequential dialing
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-establishes multiple potential call routing paths based on presence information before an actual call needs to be delivered. By having backup routes prepared in advance, the system can quickly switch to alternative paths if the primary destination is unavailable, eliminating the need for sequential dialing during call delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The call forwarding system dynamically adjusts routing decisions based on real-time presence information. Instead of fixed sequential dialing, the system adaptively selects the most appropriate destination from multiple options based on current user availability, optimizing both reliability and speed.
3Speed
If simultaneous calls to multiple secondary numbers are implemented, then call delivery speed improves, but system complexity increases due to requiring multiple telephone lines
Solution Approach 1:
The presence server acts as an intermediary that manages call routing to multiple destinations without requiring simultaneous physical telephone lines. It receives a single incoming call and intelligently distributes it to appropriate secondary numbers based on presence information, reducing the need for multiple concurrent line connections.
4Reliability
If audio rendering continues during incoming calls, then media playback quality is maintained, but user experience deteriorates due to audio interference and difficulty in conducting telephone conversations
Solution Approach 1:
The system preemptively mutes audio output when detecting an incoming call event, preventing audio interference before the user needs to conduct the telephone conversation. This preliminary action avoids the need for users to manually mute audio during calls while ensuring clear communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The system periodically monitors for call events and adjusts audio rendering accordingly. Audio is muted during call periods and restored when calls end, creating a periodic on/off pattern that ensures clear telephone conversations while maintaining media playback quality during non-call periods.
Data Source
AI summary
A muting system that allows audio of a computing device to be automatically muted when a telephone call is received on a telephone number associated with the computing device is provided. When an incoming call event occurs for that telephone number, the computing device directs a software component to mute the audio. When the muting system subsequently receives a call event indicating that the call has terminated, it may automatically un-mute or resume the software components. The muting system may allow a user to manually specify to un-mute or resume the software components.