Document Telephone Number Extraction for Direct Voice Call Initiation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current web search technologies do not easily facilitate the retrieval of telephone number information associated with search results, limiting users' ability to initiate calls directly from search results.

Innovation Solution

A method that retrieves and parses documents to extract embedded telephone numbers, allowing users to initiate voice calls to these numbers, either through direct document retrieval or search query results, using client-server architectures and network connections for VOIP or traditional calls.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If search engines return hyperlinks to web pages based on search queries, then users can access relevant information, but users cannot easily initiate telephone calls from search results

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of initiating callsVSAvoidfunctionality of search results
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent embeds multiple functionality within search result documents by incorporating telephone number tags (e.g., <tel:>) into HTML code. This allows search results to serve both traditional information delivery and direct telephone call initiation, making the search engine system multi-functional without requiring separate systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary component (telephone number extraction system) that bridges web search results and telephone network access. The system extracts telephone numbers from document code, validates them, and routes calls through appropriate protocols (VOIP or traditional telephony), acting as a mediator between these previously disconnected systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If telephone numbers are embedded in document code, then call initiation is facilitated, but document complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of initiating callsVSAvoiddocument code complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by embedding telephone number information only in specific locations within document code where it is needed (e.g., contact information sections), rather than throughout the entire document. This targeted approach provides call functionality where required without unnecessarily complicating the overall document structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses standardized telephone number tag formats (e.g., <tel:+1234567890>) that can be copied and reused across multiple documents. This standardization reduces complexity by providing a template that can be replicated rather than requiring custom implementation for each document.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Reliability

If the system analyzes multiple documents to find telephone numbers, then call accuracy improves, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of telephone number associationVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by pre-processing and indexing telephone number information during document crawling and storage. When a user searches, the system can quickly retrieve pre-identified telephone numbers associated with search results, rather than analyzing entire documents in real-time. This reduces processing time while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts telephone number information from documents during indexing, separating this data from the main document content. This extracted information is stored in a dedicated format that enables rapid retrieval and association with search results, improving both speed and accuracy of telephone number identification during user queries.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS9026511B1Call connection via document browsing
Publication Date: 2015.05.05 GOOGLE LLC
  • US9026511B1 patent drawing
  • US9026511B1 patent drawing
  • US9026511B1 patent drawing

AI summary

A system receives an indication of a document selected from a corpus of documents and determines a telephone number associated with the selected document. The system facilitates a voice call to the telephone number.