Call Urgency Interception via Mediator Messaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current call waiting systems lack the ability to provide users with sufficient information about incoming calls, making it difficult for users to determine the urgency or importance of the call, leading to potential mismanagement of ongoing calls.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that intercepts incoming calls, allows users to send a message to the caller asking if the call is urgent, and automatically generates a response based on the caller's selection, enabling users to make informed decisions about handling the call, including the option for an automatic callback after completing the current call.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If traditional call waiting is used, then the system is simple and easy to operate, but the user lacks sufficient information about the incoming call to make an informed decision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary messaging system that mediates between the incoming caller and the user currently on a call. The system sends a message to the incoming caller asking if the call is urgent, and relays the response back to the user, providing additional information without requiring complex changes to the core telephony infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary action by sending a message to the incoming caller before the user has to make a decision about answering the call. This advance communication allows the caller to indicate urgency in advance, giving the user valuable information before needing to respond.
2Reliability
If the user ignores the incoming call without additional information, then the operation is simple, but the user may miss an urgent call or end an important call unnecessarily
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by sending a message to the incoming caller and relaying their response (whether the call is urgent) back to the user. This feedback loop provides the user with information about the incoming call's importance, enabling a more reliable decision about whether to answer or ignore the call.
3Loss of information
If the system requests additional information from the caller, then the user gains better decision-making information, but the process becomes more complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies self-service by automatically sending the urgency inquiry message to the incoming caller and automatically relaying the response back to the user. The user does not need to manually compose or send messages; the system handles the information gathering automatically, maintaining ease of operation while still obtaining valuable information.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for providing informative incoming call alerts are provided herein. The method includes receiving an incoming call from a second device; transmitting, to the second device, a first message regarding the incoming call; receiving, from the second device, a second message responsive to the first message regarding the incoming call; receiving a selection of one of a plurality of options based on the received second message; and processing the selected option.