Custom Ring-Back Tone Delivery in Wireline Networks
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional telephone networks lack the ability to provide customizable ring-back tones, which are available in wireless systems, limiting personalization options for wireline and VoIP users.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system and method that uses Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) architectures to allow users to select and play custom ring-back tones based on caller ID, time, and day, utilizing service control points, intelligent peripherals, and media servers to manage and deliver personalized audio content.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional circuit switch telephone network is used, then voice transfer is reliable and stable, but personalization features like custom ring-back tones are not available
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the traditional monolithic telephone network into modular components including service control points, service switching points, and intelligent peripherals. This segmentation enables independent deployment of personalization features like custom ring-back tones without redesigning the entire network architecture, thus improving adaptability while managing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces service control points as intermediary elements between the switching network and end users. These control points handle personalization logic and feature management, allowing custom ring-back tones and other value-added services to be implemented without modifying the core switching infrastructure, thereby enabling personalization while maintaining network stability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If wireless systems are used, then custom ring-back tones are available for personalization, but wireline and VoIP systems lack this capability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service mechanisms where users can independently select and configure their preferred ring-back tones through automated interfaces. The system provides catalogs of available tones and allows users to make selections without requiring complex manual configuration or technical assistance, thus improving ease of operation while maintaining personalization capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-configures service parameters and ring-back tone options during network setup and service activation. Users receive pre-packaged service profiles that include default personalization settings, which can be easily modified later if needed. This preliminary configuration reduces the operational complexity for end users while ensuring personalization features are immediately available.
3Productivity
If packet switching technology is adopted, then network efficiency and resource utilization improve, but traditional voice service characteristics may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal service architecture where service control points and intelligent peripherals can handle both traditional circuit-switched voice services and packet-switched data services through common infrastructure components. This multi-functionality allows the network to maintain reliable voice service characteristics while simultaneously achieving improved efficiency through packet switching, as the same network elements can adapt to different service types.
Data Source
AI summary
A method is provided for providing customized ring-back tones to callers on a wireline network such as a public switched telephone network having an advanced intelligent network or a VoIP network. When a call request is received from a calling party to connect to a called party through a wireline telephone network it is determined if the calling party is identified in a screening list for the called party. If so, then a customized audible ring-back tone is played to the calling party until the called party is connected to the calling party or until the call request is terminated.