Connection Server for Cross-Region Call Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current telephone systems lack efficient methods for tracking and managing real-time communication connections, particularly in establishing and routing calls across different geographic regions, leading to inefficiencies in advertising and customer interaction.

Innovation Solution

A system that uses a connection server configured on a packet switched network to facilitate voice connections via local telephone numbers, allowing dynamic allocation and tracking of communication references embedded in advertisements, enabling efficient call routing and customer interaction management across various media channels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional land-line based telephone systems are used to connect users, then circuit switched network connectivity is provided, but the system lacks efficient call tracking and management capabilities across different geographic regions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecall tracking and managementVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A connection server is introduced as an intermediary component between traditional telephone systems and packet switched networks. This server manages call connections, tracks communication references, and coordinates routing across different geographic regions, thereby improving call tracking capabilities without requiring complete system replacement

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The connection server is designed to handle multiple functions including call routing, tracking, and management across both circuit switched and packet switched networks. This multi-functional approach consolidates complex operations into a single system component, improving reliability while managing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If packet switched network is used for Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), then voice information delivery efficiency is improved, but the system lacks effective methods for tracking and managing real-time communication connections

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoice information delivery efficiencyVSAvoidcall tracking and management
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The connection server implements feedback mechanisms that track communication references and monitor real-time communication connections across the packet switched network. This tracking capability provides visibility into VoIP connections, enabling effective management and routing decisions while maintaining the efficiency benefits of packet switched networking

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The connection server acts as a mediator between the packet switched network and traditional telephone systems, introducing tracking and management capabilities into the VoIP environment without compromising the underlying network efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of operation

If telephone numbers are provided in advertisements and directories, then customer contact information is made available, but the system lacks dynamic allocation and tracking of communication references across media channels

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecustomer contact accessibilityVSAvoidcall routing information
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

Communication references are pre-allocated and associated with specific advertisements and media channels before customer interactions occur. This preliminary setup enables automatic tracking and routing of calls based on the advertisement source, eliminating information loss during the customer contact process

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback loops that track communication references from advertisement exposure through to call completion. This continuous tracking ensures that routing information is maintained and utilized throughout the entire customer interaction journey across multiple media channels

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Adaptability or versatility

If call forwarding is used to forward incoming calls to another specified phone number, then basic call routing is provided, but the system lacks geographic targeting and efficient call handling across different regions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecall routing flexibilityVSAvoidcall tracking accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The call routing system is segmented into multiple components including geographic region identification, communication reference tracking, and connection management. This segmentation enables precise geographic targeting and accurate call tracking by handling each aspect as a separate, manageable function within the overall system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The connection server serves as an intermediary that enhances basic call forwarding by adding geographic targeting capabilities and communication reference tracking. This intermediary layer maintains the flexibility of call forwarding while improving reliability through systematic tracking and management

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS9401987B2Systems and methods to provide connections to users in different geographic regions
Publication Date: 2016.07.26 THRYV INC
  • US9401987B2 patent drawing
  • US9401987B2 patent drawing
  • US9401987B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Systems and methods to provide anonymous communication connections between customers in different countries/regions and service providers. Different call-in references are configured for customers residing in different regions and/or having different language preferences. Different prices are computed for foreign customers based on a single price of a service provider and the call-in references used by the customers to initiate the anonymous connections to take into account of the international/long distance call charges. Currency conversion is performed based on exchange rates in backend payment management. Location information of service providers and customers is provided in a configurable way, based on preference, service category, without compromising privacy. Comments, feedback, and/or ratings of the service providers can be filtered for presentation to the customers, based on the location information of the service providers and/or the customer, or based on the location selection of the customers, to increase relevancy to the respective customers.