Connection Manager Call Routing Across Multiple Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication systems are inconvenient for managing calls between multiple user devices, often resulting in delays or dropped calls when a user cannot answer an incoming call on their smartphone and wishes to transfer or route it to another device.
Innovation Solution
A connection manager system that allows for automated or user-triggered management of calls between multiple associated user devices, routing connections based on device activity, detecting changes in device status, and sending silencing commands to prevent simultaneous alerts across devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a user has multiple electronic devices for communication, then communication versatility and availability are improved, but call management complexity and inconvenience increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple communication devices (smartphone, tablet, computer, headset) into a unified communication ecosystem managed by a single account. The call management system merges device status monitoring, call routing decisions, and alert coordination into an integrated system that automatically manages calls across all devices without requiring manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service call management by automatically detecting which device the user is actively using and routing incoming calls to that device without user intervention. The system monitors device status, determines user presence, and makes intelligent routing decisions autonomously, eliminating the need for manual call transfer operations.
2Ease of operation
If call routing between multiple devices is enabled, then user convenience is improved, but system complexity and potential for errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a central call management system that acts as an intermediary between the external network and multiple user devices. This mediator receives incoming calls, determines the user's active device based on monitored status information, and routes calls appropriately. It also coordinates alert silencing across devices to prevent confusion from simultaneous notifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by continuously monitoring device status and pre-determining the optimal routing destination before a call arrives. Device activity levels, location information, and usage patterns are assessed in advance, allowing the system to automatically route calls to the most appropriate device without requiring real-time user input or complex runtime decisions.
3Productivity
If automated call management is implemented, then call handling efficiency is improved, but risk of dropped calls due to system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous feedback loops where the system monitors device status, call acceptance states, and user interactions in real-time. When a call is answered on one device, the system receives feedback and immediately coordinates with other devices to silence their alerts. The system also monitors for call drops or connection issues and can initiate corrective routing actions to maintain reliable call handling.
Data Source
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AI summary
A connection manager manages connections for associated user devices by determining whether an incoming connection has been answered at a user device, and if so then generating and transmitting silencing commands to associated user devices using first and second wireless communication modes, with one mode being faster. Connections can comprise phone calls, and modes can comprise push and Bluetooth® messaging. The connection manager can instruct device outputs to provide connection alerts, limited to visual alerts when an associated user device is active, listen for associated user device communications, and instruct device outputs to stop providing alerts when a silencing command is received. Further, a connection manager can receive a signal regarding a headset status, route an outside connection from a phone to the headset when the headset is active or to another device when the headset is not active, detect a change in headset status, and reroute the connection accordingly.