Call Tones Routing via Intermediary Service Provider
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current call tones systems face limitations in inter-working with multiple content providers, restricting users to a single provider's catalog and content set, and lack dynamic control over ringback media playback.
Innovation Solution
A method for routing incoming calls to specific ringback media servers based on subscriber preferences, time, day, content, and carrier policies, allowing dynamic control by both callers and carriers over the playback of ringback media.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If call tones content is provided by multiple independent content providers, then content diversity and user choice are improved, but system complexity and inter-working requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a service provider as an intermediary layer between multiple content providers and the network switch. This service provider manages content from multiple providers, handles billing, and coordinates content delivery, thereby reducing the complexity that would otherwise exist between independent content providers and the network infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The service provider performs multiple functions including content aggregation from different providers, billing management, content delivery coordination, and network switching. This multi-functional approach consolidates complexity into a single entity that can handle diverse content sources uniformly.
2Ease of operation
If call tones are statically provisioned by contracted content providers, then system operation is simplified, but user access flexibility and content availability are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static content provisioning to dynamic content delivery. Content is not permanently stored in the network but is temporarily delivered during call setup based on real-time user requests, carrier policies, and content provider availability. This allows the system to adapt content delivery dynamically while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The service provider pre-establishes agreements and content libraries with multiple content providers before needing to deliver content. This preliminary preparation allows the system to respond dynamically to user requests without complex real-time negotiations or content acquisition processes.
3Ease of operation
If call tones service is network-based rather than end-device-based, then user convenience is improved, but control complexity and routing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the control logic for content selection and delivery from the network switch and places it in the service provider's domain. The service provider handles content catalog management, user preferences, carrier policies, and content routing decisions, allowing the network switch to focus solely on call routing while reducing overall control complexity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If users can access multiple content providers, then content selection is improved, but routing complexity and server coordination increase
Solution Approach 1:
The service provider acts as a mediator that receives user content requests and determines which content provider's server should fulfill the request. It considers user preferences, carrier policies, and content availability to route requests appropriately, thereby managing the complexity of coordinating multiple content providers without requiring the network switch to handle this logic.
Data Source
AI summary
A carrier providing wireless services provides ringback media such as call tones via one or more call tones content providers. In one aspect, a service entity (e.g., SCP or application server) is provisioned with data unique to ringback media service subscribed to by the subscriber. The service entity provides routing instructions to a mobile switching center identifying a ringback media server (e.g., content provider platform) to render ringback media to the caller. In another aspect, a caller can exercise control over the play of ringback media, e.g., by inputting DTMF tones, which responsively cause a ringback media server to change the play of ringback media, e.g., stop it or play a different selection. In another aspect, when a subscriber initiates a call to called party that subscribes to a competitor carrier, the carrier limits exposure of the subscriber to the ringback media of the competitor carrier. In one possible configuration, the carrier inserts its own ringback media.