Caller-ID Based Telephone Message Selection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing telephone answering devices (ITADs) are limited in their ability to provide tailored messages to callers, often requiring users to record and switch between general and specific messages frequently, which is cumbersome and not suited for various calling parties.
Innovation Solution
An integrated telephone answering device system that allows users to store and select multiple outgoing messages based on caller IDs, enabling playback of specific messages tailored to individual callers without the need for complex hardware or user interfaces, by distributing message management between a handset and base unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a single general pre-recorded message is stored in the ITAD, then the device complexity remains low and the user interface remains simple, but the adaptability to different calling parties deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the message storage into multiple segments: a default message and multiple outgoing messages associated with specific calling parties. This segmentation allows the system to provide tailored messages to different callers while maintaining a simple overall structure. The base unit stores multiple messages in separate memory locations, each linked to specific calling party numbers, enabling selective playback without requiring complex hardware.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-storing multiple outgoing messages in the base unit memory before they are needed. Each message is pre-associated with specific calling party numbers in a data structure. When a call comes in, the system quickly retrieves the appropriate pre-stored message based on the calling party's number, avoiding the need for real-time message creation or complex user intervention.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple outgoing messages are stored and managed in the base unit, then the adaptability to different calling parties improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The base unit is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a traditional answering device and as a message management system. The same base unit memory and processor handle both default messages and outgoing messages associated with specific calling parties. This universal design allows the system to provide tailored messaging without adding separate dedicated hardware components.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by storing multiple copies of outgoing messages in the base unit memory, each associated with specific calling party numbers. Instead of requiring physical switches or complex routing hardware, the system creates logical copies of message data that can be selectively retrieved based on the incoming call's calling party number, simplifying the physical device structure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the user manually records and switches between messages frequently, then the adaptability to different calling parties improves, but the loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements self-service by automatically selecting and playing the appropriate outgoing message based on the incoming call's calling party number. The processor compares the calling party number with stored associations in the data structure and automatically retrieves the correct message without requiring user intervention. This eliminates the time users would otherwise spend manually switching between messages.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback by continuously monitoring incoming call information (calling party number) and using that feedback to automatically select the appropriate pre-stored message. The real-time comparison of calling party numbers with stored associations enables instantaneous message selection, eliminating manual intervention and reducing time loss.
4Adaptability or versatility
If a complex user interface is added to manage multiple messages, then the adaptability to different calling parties improves, but the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the complexity of message management from the user interface and places it in the base unit's data structure and processor. The user interface remains simple, requiring only basic interaction to record messages, while the complex association logic between messages and calling parties is handled automatically by the system's data structure and processor, not by complex user interface elements.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for managing telephone messages played by a telephone includes an integrated telephone answering device configured to playback a plurality of outgoing messages. The system further includes a first memory section to store a default outgoing message and a second memory section to store one or more custom outgoing messages. The system further includes a handset operable to send outgoing messages for storage in the base unit and to send information related to outgoing messages for storage in a database of the base unit, the information including an outgoing message identifier associated with each outgoing message and a list of calling numbers associated with each outgoing message identifier. The system further includes a processor operable to receive an indication of a playback outgoing message request, to determine a calling party number associated with the outgoing message identifier, to retrieve an outgoing message identifier associated with the calling party number, and to send a signal to the integrated telephone answering device to playback an outgoing message associated with the outgoing message identifier.