Directory Server Proactive Caller Context Aggregation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Caller ID systems provide limited contextual information to mobile phone users, failing to leverage rich data sources like social networks during calls, despite the capabilities of 'smart' phones to access such information.
Innovation Solution
A directory server proactively collects and provides recent contextual information associated with callers by connecting with social-service providers and data networks, enabling mobile devices to access identifying and social data, even before a call is answered.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If existing Caller ID systems are used, then basic caller identification is provided, but rich contextual information from social networks is not accessible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary component that mediates between the mobile device and multiple contextual information sources (social networks, search engines, news services). This server aggregates, processes, and delivers contextual information about callers without requiring the mobile device to directly access or manage these complex external systems, thus resolving the contradiction between information richness and system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The server is designed as a universal platform that can access and integrate information from multiple different sources including social networks, search engines, and news services. This multi-functional approach allows the system to provide comprehensive contextual information without requiring separate specialized systems for each information source, addressing the contradiction between information completeness and system complexity
2Loss of information
If smart phones access rich contextual data sources during calls, then comprehensive caller information is available, but the brief call setup time is insufficient for data retrieval
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by proactively collecting and caching contextual information about potential callers before actual calls are made. The server continuously monitors and stores information from social networks and other sources, so that when a call is initiated, the information is already prepared and can be delivered instantly, eliminating the time constraint during call setup
Solution Approach 2:
The server automatically and continuously gathers contextual information from multiple sources without requiring real-time requests during call setup. This self-service approach means the system proactively maintains updated information about callers, making it immediately available when needed without consuming call setup time
3Ease of operation
If Caller ID provides only basic information, then system simplicity is maintained, but user experience with rich contextual data is not enhanced
Solution Approach 1:
The server acts as an intermediary that handles the complexity of accessing and processing social network data, while presenting simplified, relevant information to the user during calls. This allows the user to benefit from rich contextual information without directly interacting with complex data sources, enhancing user experience while maintaining ease of operation
Data Source
AI summary
A directory server may proactively provide to a remote mobile phone (or similar device) recent contextual information associated with callers who are likely to call the remote mobile phone, such that the remote mobile phone is likely to have a local set of recent contextual data about a given caller when the caller places a call to the remote mobile phone (or visa versa). When an unknown caller calls the remote mobile phone, the directory server may use the caller's phone number to identify directory information and one or more social-network or similar accounts that are used as sources of contextual information about the caller.