Call Manager Server for Multi-Line Telephony Routing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current telephony devices with multi-line support often fail to effectively manage multiple active lines, leading to inefficiencies in routing incoming calls, especially when multiple devices share the same telephone number.

Innovation Solution

A call manager server connected to a telephony network that maintains a list of associated telephones and sends queries to determine which device should receive an incoming call, routing it based on responses, with options to prioritize based on quality of service or device link characteristics.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple telephones share the same telephone number, then multi-line support capability is provided, but call routing efficiency deteriorates due to inability to determine which device should receive the incoming call

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulti-line support capabilityVSAvoidcall routing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a call manager server as an intermediary between the telephony network and multiple telephones sharing the same number. The call manager receives incoming calls, queries each telephone to determine which device should receive the call, and routes the call accordingly. This mediator resolves the routing inefficiency while preserving multi-line support capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements a feedback mechanism where the call manager sends queries to telephones and receives responses indicating which device should receive the incoming call. This feedback loop enables dynamic call routing decisions based on current device availability and user preferences, improving routing efficiency without sacrificing multi-line support.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Measurement precision

If a call manager queries multiple telephones to determine call routing, then call routing precision is improved, but system complexity increases due to additional query-response mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecall routing precisionVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The call manager server performs multiple functions: receiving incoming calls, maintaining lists of associated telephones, sending queries to determine routing, receiving responses, and executing call routing. By consolidating these functions in a single multi-functional server, the system achieves precise call routing while managing complexity through functional integration rather than proliferation of separate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP2149270B1Method, apparatus and system for call leg selection
Publication Date: 2019.08.14 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP2149270B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2149270B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2149270B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method, apparatus and system for call leg selection is provided. In an embodiment, a call manger is provided which is connected to telephones that have the same telephone number. When the call manager receives an incoming call identifying that telephone number, the call manager sends a query to each of the telephones inquiring as to which telephone should receive the call. Depending on the response, the call manager will route the call to the appropriate one of the telephones.