Coordinated Ringing for Multi-Device Call Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing devices associated with a single user identity, such as smartphones and smart TVs, often experience loud disruptions due to simultaneous ringing when multiple devices registered to the same phone number receive an incoming call, leading to redundant and disturbing audible alerts.
Innovation Solution
A coordinated ringing system that allows user devices to detect each other's presence and coordinate ringing, where only the actively or recently used device plays an audible alert, while others display visual indicators, thereby suppressing unnecessary noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If all devices registered to the same phone number ring simultaneously when receiving an incoming call, then the user can answer the call from any device, but loud disruptions and redundant audible alerts occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating the ringing behavior based on device characteristics and usage context. Each device determines its own ringing mode (audible or visual only) based on whether it is the most recently used device, creating localized quality differences in the ringing behavior across multiple devices while maintaining the overall call answering flexibility
2Ease of operation
If multiple devices ring audibly simultaneously, then the user has maximum flexibility to answer from any device, but the user experience is degraded by disruptive noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamics by making the ringing behavior adaptive rather than static. Devices dynamically adjust their ringing mode based on real-time information about which device was most recently used. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to maintain ease of operation while eliminating the harmful effect of disruptive simultaneous audible ringing
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes accessing, at a first user device, an application that coordinates ringing of multiple user devices registered to a smart phone number that are within a predetermined proximity of each other. The method includes broadcasting an identity and a ring state associated with the user device. A presence is to be detected within the predetermined proximity of at least one additional user device associated with the smart phone number. The method includes determining a ringing user device based on predetermined rules of selection between the at least one additional user device and the first user device. The method further includes determining activity to be performed by at least one other user device in event of an incoming call to the smart phone number. The method also includes receiving an incoming call at the smart phone number and ringing the ringing device.