Call Context Setting with Pre-Call Information
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Users of smartphones and other devices often miss out on enhanced phone experiences due to the lack of additional context provided for incoming calls, relying solely on caller ID or stored information, which limits their ability to decide how to respond and manage calls effectively.
Innovation Solution
The system allows callers to provide additional context information, such as text messages, photographs, or voice messages, which can be integrated with the call notification, enabling a more comprehensive understanding of the call's purpose or nature, thereby facilitating a seamless and informed response.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If only caller ID or stored information is provided for incoming calls, then the system maintains simplicity and quick notification, but the user lacks sufficient context to make informed decisions about answering the call
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by having the caller provide context information (text message, photograph, voice message) before the call is actually connected. This advance preparation allows the receiving user to see the context before answering, eliminating the need for post-call identification and enabling informed decisions about whether to answer the call.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary context message that mediates between the caller and the receiving user. This intermediary element (containing text, photos, or voice messages) carries the call context information separately from the voice call itself, allowing the receiving user to evaluate the call's purpose before engaging in the actual conversation.
2Loss of time
If the caller provides additional context information before the call, then the user receives comprehensive context for informed decision-making, but the call setup process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
By performing the context information provision as a preliminary action before the call connects, the system eliminates the need for post-connection identification time. The caller provides context information in advance, so when the call connects, both parties already understand the call's purpose, saving significant time during the actual call interaction.
Solution Approach 2:
The caller serves themselves by providing the context information about their own call purpose. This self-service approach eliminates the need for the receiving party to ask identification questions during the call, as the context is already provided in advance through the intermediary message.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the user receives only basic caller ID information, then the notification process remains simple and quick, but the user cannot effectively customize their response or switch mental tasks
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediary context message serves as a mediator that provides rich information about the caller's purpose, identity, and intent. This intermediary element enables the receiving user to customize their response appropriately (formal or informal) and mentally prepare for the specific task at hand, transforming basic notification into an informative preview.
Solution Approach 2:
The preliminary provision of context information allows the receiving user to perform mental task switching in advance. By knowing the call's purpose before answering, the user can prepare the appropriate mental state and response strategy, improving adaptability and reducing the need for mid-call adjustments.
Data Source
AI summary
Example apparatus and methods concern establishing additional context for a call using pre-call information. The additional context is provided by a caller and used to determine, for example, whether and how to answer a call. An apparatus (e.g., smart phone, VoIP device) may be configured to augment an outgoing call with first context setting information (e.g., short message, picture, voice clip). The first context setting information may be embedded in the outgoing call or may be provided separately as part of a distinct communication. The apparatus may also be configured to acquire second context setting information associated with an incoming call. The second context setting information may be retrieved from the incoming call or may be retrieved using a separate communication that is triggered by the incoming call. The second context setting information may be presented in an integrated display that produces a single user interruption.