Browser-Based Softphone Control via Dynamic JavaScript Streams

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing computer telephone integration (CTI) systems require dedicated software on users' computers, leading to maintenance issues and security concerns due to the need for additional communication channels and support from browsers, which can result in insecure communications and firewall vulnerabilities.

Innovation Solution

A method that uses a web browser to control telephony equipment by sending two sections of code over a network: one for user commands and another as a dynamic stream for event notifications, allowing for real-time updates without additional software or open communication channels, utilizing a conventional web browser to access remote applications and receive unsolicited events.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If dedicated softphone software is installed on user computers, then telephony control functionality is achieved, but maintenance complexity and security risks increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetelephony control functionalityVSAvoidsoftware installation and maintenance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the web browser universal by enabling it to perform both traditional web browsing and telephony control functions. The browser is enhanced with JavaScript capabilities to send commands to the CTI server and receive event notifications, eliminating the need for separate dedicated softphone software while maintaining full telephony functionality through the existing browser interface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the telephony control functionality from dedicated softphone software and relocates it to the web browser environment. By sending JavaScript code sections to the browser and having it execute commands directly, the system removes the requirement for separate installed applications while preserving all necessary telephony control capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If additional communication channels are opened for CTI server access, then real-time event notification is achieved, but security vulnerabilities increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereal-time event notificationVSAvoidfirewall vulnerabilities and security risks

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the existing HTTP communication channel universal by enabling it to carry both web content and telephony event notifications. The browser receives JavaScript code sections through the normal web protocol and executes them locally, allowing the same communication channel to serve dual purposes without requiring additional open ports or specialized communication pathways

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces JavaScript code sections as an intermediary mechanism that bridges the CTI server and the user interface. The server sends event notifications encoded as JavaScript code through the web channel, the browser executes this code locally, and the results are displayed without requiring direct communication channels between the CTI server and telephony equipment, thus maintaining security while enabling real-time notifications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If browser components like ActiveX or Java Applets are used, then telephony control is enabled, but download time and security clearance requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetelephony control capabilityVSAvoidcomponent download and security clearance time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the telephony control functionality from heavy browser components like ActiveX controls and Java Applets, and implements it using lightweight JavaScript code sections. These code sections are sent directly to the browser through the web channel and executed without requiring separate component downloads, security clearances, or additional plugin installations, thereby eliminating the time delays associated with traditional component-based approaches

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS7571235B2Computer telephone integration over a network

Publication Date: 2009.08.04 PULSELINK SYSTEMS LLC

AI summary

A softphone telephony application is provided within a browser using a visible frame to provide event notifications and allow a user to issue commands and a hidden frame which receive asynchronous event notifications as a dynamic HTML stream. Outgoing control commands are implemented as web service behaviours. In this way, all of the functionality required to control a CTI application on a server and to receive event notifications from the CTI application can be provided using standard browser technology and without requiring the installation of any dedicated software or the provision of non-standard communication channels.