Real-Time Communication Delegation via Rules-Based Rerouting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Real-time communication attempts often fail when the intended recipient is unavailable, leaving the initiator with limited options such as retrying later or leaving a message, as existing communication techniques lack efficient rerouting mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

A software facility implements a rules-based delegation scheme that automatically reroutes incoming real-time communications to designated delegates based on presence information and predefined rules, applicable to various communication channels including instant messaging, telephone calls, and email, allowing for prioritization of important communications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If real-time communication is attempted when recipient is unavailable, then immediate contact is hoped for, but communication fails and initiator has limited options

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication success rateVSAvoidcommunication attempt simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a delegate as an intermediary who receives and handles communications when the primary recipient is unavailable. The delegate acts as a mediator between the communication initiator and the absent recipient, enabling continuous communication flow without failure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary action by pre-designating delegates and establishing delegation rules before communication failures occur. When a recipient becomes unavailable, the pre-configured delegate immediately steps in to handle communications, eliminating the need for retry attempts or message leaving.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If delegation scheme is implemented, then communication reliability improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication delivery assuranceVSAvoiddelegation scheme complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The delegate receives communications on behalf of multiple recipients and can handle various types of communications (calls, messages, emails) through a single interface. The system provides universal communication handling across different channels and recipient types, reducing overall system complexity despite the delegation capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9641423B2Communication using delegates, such as delegates specified in an email or scheduling application

Publication Date: 2017.05.02 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

A facility allows for automatic delegation of incoming real-time communications based on a delegation scheme. The delegation scheme may be rules-based and may be applied to a single real-time communication channel or multiple communication channels, including both real-time and non-real-time communication channels. The delegate information may include rules that indicate under what circumstances a communication should be rerouted, which delegate the communication should be rerouted to, and whether other associated actions should be taken in connection with the rerouting (or lack thereof). In some cases, the context of the incoming communication may play a role in how or whether a communication is rerouted to a delegate.