Distributed Call Pickup Group for VoIP Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing VoIP telephony systems face limitations in call group pickup features, including lack of fault tolerance, restricted endpoint inclusion, single-group assignment, and complex configuration, which hinder usability and availability.
Innovation Solution
A system with a call manager extension module that includes a group pickup module, backup module, and monitoring module, allowing any extension to be part of multiple pickup groups, providing fault tolerance and flexible configuration, enabling any extension to be added to a pickup group regardless of location and switch association.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a traditional switch-based call pickup group system is used, then calls can be answered within a designated group, but the system becomes non-operational if the switch fails and endpoints are restricted to specific locations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the call pickup functionality from the traditional switch-based architecture by implementing distributed call pickup modules at multiple network locations (gateways, proxies, edge devices). This segmentation allows the call pickup feature to operate independently from any single switch, enabling endpoints from different locations and switches to participate in pickup groups while maintaining availability even if one component fails.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates universal call pickup groups that can include endpoints from any location, switch, or network segment. The distributed architecture allows the same call pickup functionality to operate across multiple switches and network boundaries, making the system adaptable to various endpoint configurations without requiring switch-specific implementations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If call pickup groups are restricted to specific switches or locations, then system configuration is simpler, but the feature cannot support distributed endpoints across the network
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces intermediary components (distributed call pickup modules, gateways, proxies) that mediate between endpoints and the call pickup functionality. These intermediaries handle the complexity of distributed endpoint management, location registration, and group membership, allowing the system to support endpoints across multiple switches and locations while presenting a simplified interface to users for creating and managing pickup groups.
3Ease of operation
If an extension is assigned to a single pickup group, then group management is straightforward, but the extension cannot participate in multiple groups simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic group membership where extensions can be dynamically assigned to multiple pickup groups simultaneously. The distributed architecture allows an extension to register with multiple call pickup modules and participate in multiple groups without conflict, enabling flexible organizational structures where users can belong to different functional groups (e.g., sales team, support team, management) while maintaining simple group creation and management operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A distributed call pickup group system comprises a call manager having an extension module. The extension module further comprises a group pickup module, a group pickup call stack, a backup group pickup module and a monitoring group pickup module. The extension module controls and manages the functionality associated with the group pickup feature. The group pick module advantageously allows any extension regardless of its location in the system or the switch to which it is connected to be included within a pickup group. The backup group pickup module provides fault tolerance for the pickup functionality such that if a particular switch and its associated group pickup module fail, a backup group pickup module is identified and made operational. The present invention also includes a variety of methods including a method for creating a group pickup list, a method for performing through pickup and a method for backing up group picked up.