Distance-Triggered Call Transfer to User-Carried Terminals

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Solution Overview

Problem

When a device with a fixed position is used for a call, the user often needs to move in space, leading to reduced call quality due to distance from the device, and existing solutions like voice interaction software interrupt the call when adjusting volume, affecting the user experience.

Innovation Solution

A method that involves determining the distance and orientation of a user-carried device relative to a fixed device, adjusting volume and sound production direction accordingly, and transferring the call to a user-carried device or another nearby device to maintain continuous and smooth communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the user moves away from the fixed device to gain spatial freedom, then the user's mobility is improved, but the call quality deteriorates due to increased distance

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser mobilityVSAvoidcall quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a portable terminal as an intermediary device between the user and the fixed apparatus. The portable terminal receives call data from the fixed apparatus and plays it locally, allowing the user to move freely while maintaining call quality through the portable device's proximity to the user's ear.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The call system is segmented into two functional parts: the fixed apparatus that handles call establishment and data reception, and the portable terminal that handles local audio playback. This segmentation allows each component to optimize for its specific function, with the portable terminal ensuring call quality near the user's ear.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the volume is increased to maintain call quality when the user is far from the fixed device, then the call quality is improved, but the power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecall qualityVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The portable terminal acts as an intermediary that plays call audio locally at optimal volume near the user's ear, eliminating the need to increase the fixed apparatus's volume. This maintains call quality while avoiding excessive power consumption from the fixed device.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the sound production direction is adjusted to track the user's position, then the call quality is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecall qualityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of making the fixed apparatus track the user's position (which would increase its complexity), the solution inverts the approach: the portable terminal moves with the user and handles audio playback locally. This eliminates the need for complex tracking mechanisms in the fixed device while maintaining call quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentEP4191988B1Call method and terminal device
Publication Date: 2025.10.22 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP4191988B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4191988B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4191988B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A call method and a terminal device are provided, to transfer a call to a second apparatus currently carried by a user when the user is far away from a first apparatus that is currently in the call, so that the call continues on the second apparatus, thereby avoiding that call quality is reduced due to the user being far away from the first apparatus. The method includes: determining a first distance of the second apparatus relative to the first apparatus, where the first apparatus is currently in the call, the second apparatus is an apparatus currently carried by the user, and there is a communication connection between the first apparatus and the second apparatus; determining that the first distance is greater than a preset distance; and controlling the call on the first apparatus to be transferred to the second apparatus or a third apparatus, so that the call continues on the second apparatus or the third apparatus, where a second distance of the third apparatus relative to the second apparatus is less than a preset threshold.