Camp-on Service Using Alternative Notification Channels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication systems face challenges in allowing callers to camp-on to parties who are unavailable, as they often require manual revocation of camp-on requests, leading to unsuccessful connections due to the caller's unavailability when the called party finishes their call.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that enable callers to camp-on to parties using one communication method while being notified via another method, such as instant messaging, when the called party becomes available, allowing seamless connection even if the caller is away from their primary endpoint.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the caller uses traditional camp-on service requiring the caller to remain at their phone endpoint, then the system can attempt connection when the called party becomes available, but the caller may be unavailable when the called party finishes their call leading to failed connections and wasted system resources
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by notifying the caller via alternative communication methods (email, IM, SMS) before attempting voice connection, allowing the caller to prepare and ensure availability when the called party becomes free
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces alternative communication channels (email, instant messaging, SMS) as intermediaries between the caller and the camp-on system, enabling notification and coordination without requiring the caller to remain at their phone endpoint
2Productivity
If the system continuously attempts to reach the caller using traditional voice calls, then connection can be established when available, but system resources are wasted when the caller is unavailable
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts its communication approach by switching between different notification methods (email, IM, SMS, voice calls) based on caller availability and preferences, optimizing resource usage rather than persisting with a single ineffective method
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where alternative communication channels confirm caller availability before initiating voice connection attempts, allowing the system to avoid wasting resources on unreachable callers
3Ease of operation
If the caller must manually revoke camp-on requests when going to meetings, then the caller has control over the request, but the process is cumbersome and may lead to unsuccessful connections
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides self-service functionality by automatically managing camp-on requests through alternative notification channels, eliminating the need for manual revocation and re-initiation by the caller
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the camp-on service multi-functional by supporting multiple communication methods (voice, email, IM, SMS) within a single unified service framework, allowing the same camp-on feature to operate across different communication paradigms
Data Source
AI summary
A method for providing a camp-on service includes receiving from a caller a request to communicate with a called party via a first communication method and notifying the caller that the called party is currently communicating on a first call via the first communication method. The method includes receiving from the caller a request to camp-on to the called party and an indication that the caller can be reached via a second communication method. The method also includes determining that the first call involving the called party has terminated.