Communication Waiting During Call Setup

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Solution Overview

Problem

The Communication Waiting (CW) feature is not available during the setup of a communication, leading to missed incoming calls as third parties are blocked or routed to voicemail without the called party's consent, due to legacy circuit-switched call restrictions that have persisted in internet protocol communications.

Innovation Solution

An Application Server (AS) is configured to enable CW notifications during call setup and ring back phases by routing incoming communication notifications to the user's device, allowing them to choose between ongoing and incoming calls using SIP protocols and media servers for call progress tones and announcements.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If trunk blocking is used in legacy circuit-switched calls to prevent simultaneous calls, then call routing simplicity is improved, but Communication Waiting feature availability during call setup deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecall routing simplicityVSAvoidCommunication Waiting feature availability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the call handling process into distinct phases: call setup phase and active call phase. During call setup, the system permits Communication Waiting notifications to be delivered, while during active calls, traditional trunk blocking applies. This temporal segmentation allows CW functionality during setup without compromising call routing simplicity during active calls.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements dynamic call handling behavior that changes based on call state. The system transitions from a static trunk blocking approach to a dynamic approach where CW notifications are permitted during call setup (before answer) but blocked during active calls. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by applying different rules at different times.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Extent of automation

If trunk blocking is implemented to prevent simultaneous communications, then resource allocation control is improved, but user choice and call management flexibility deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource allocation controlVSAvoiduser choice and call management flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by delivering Communication Waiting notifications to the user during call setup, before the call is fully established. This allows the user to make an informed decision about which call to accept before resources are fully committed, thereby maintaining user choice while still controlling resource allocation through automated notification and selection mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If IP protocols permit near-concurrent notifications during call setup, then Communication Waiting feature availability is improved, but system complexity and protocol integration challenges increase

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveCommunication Waiting feature availabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity and protocol integration

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an Application Server as an intermediary component that mediates between SIP protocols and existing call handling infrastructure. The Application Server receives SIP notifications during call setup, processes them according to CW feature logic, and coordinates with the call management system. This intermediary approach enables CW functionality during setup without requiring complex modifications to core protocol stacks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11394826B1Handling incoming communication during communication set up

Publication Date: 2022.07.19 T MOBILE US INC

AI summary

Methods, a system, and computer readable media are disclosed to provide an enhanced Communication Waiting applications service. Enhancements include a method for handling an incoming communication received before an outgoing communication is acknowledged and a method to handle a second incoming communications to a user device before the first incoming communication is acknowledged by the user. Such methods remove limitations on existing techniques by allowing users to select between pending and new incoming calls. In some embodiments, calls not selected by the users are placed on hold or routed to voicemail.