Automatic Callback Availability Precision via Presence Servers
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional automatic callback features in communication systems are inefficient due to coarse availability indications, leading to delayed or inappropriate call attempts, as they do not distinguish between urgent and routine calls and require constant monitoring of user availability.
Innovation Solution
Integration of presence and availability systems with PBX call processing, using SIP or IP telephony clients and SIMPLE presence servers, to evaluate user availability and feature compatibility before initiating a callback, ensuring calls are made only when the user is suitable to receive them.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional ACB feature is used with coarse availability indication (phone on-hook/off-hook status), then the system is simple to implement, but the call timing accuracy deteriorates and urgent calls may be delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the availability indication into multiple levels: basic phone status (on-hook/off-hook) and refined presence status (available, busy, away, in meeting). This segmentation allows the system to provide more precise availability information while maintaining a layered architecture where the basic segment remains simple and the refined segment adds precision only when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces presence servers as intermediaries between the telephone system and the availability monitoring function. These servers aggregate and refine raw phone status data into meaningful presence information, acting as a mediator that transforms coarse indications into precise availability status without requiring direct complexity in the calling system.
2Loss of time
If the system waits for coarse availability indication (phone going off and on hook), then the system requires minimal monitoring resources, but the call initiation time deteriorates and urgent calls are delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the presence server continuously monitor and pre-determine user availability status before a callback is requested. When a user goes off-hook, the system doesn't wait for the traditional ACB sequence but immediately queries the pre-established presence information to determine if the user is truly available, enabling faster call initiation without proportional increase in monitoring energy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes a feedback mechanism where presence servers continuously update availability status and notify the system of changes. This feedback loop allows the system to respond immediately to availability changes without continuous active monitoring, reducing energy consumption while maintaining rapid response capability for urgent calls.
3Reliability
If traditional ACB feature is used without context awareness, then the system is easy to operate, but the appropriateness of call timing deteriorates and calls may be made at inappropriate times
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the presence server a universal component that serves multiple functions: monitoring phone status, determining availability, providing context information, and supporting various call routing decisions. This multi-functionality enables context-aware call appropriateness assessment while maintaining a single operational interface for users, preserving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by having the presence server automatically determine and communicate availability status without requiring user intervention. Users simply need to indicate their presence state once, and the system automatically uses this information to determine appropriate call timing, eliminating the need for users to manually manage complex call appropriateness rules while improving reliability.
4Measurement precision
If presence services require constant monitoring of user availability, then the call timing accuracy is improved, but the operational complexity deteriorates and users must constantly monitor availability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service by having users set their presence status once (e.g., available, busy, away) and the presence server automatically maintains and updates this information continuously. Users do not need to constantly monitor or update their status; the system does it automatically based on their initial setting and contextual cues, maintaining high accuracy while eliminating user burden.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent establishes continuity of useful action by having the presence server continuously monitor and update availability status in the background without requiring user involvement. This continuous background operation maintains accurate real-time availability information while completely freeing users from monitoring tasks, as the server performs the continuous action autonomously.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method are provided for controlling execution of a call back to a called party, comprising determining availability status of the called party, evaluating compatibility of the availability status with initiating call back to the called party, and in the event the availability status is compatible with call back then initiating the call back to said called party.