Dynamic Communication Mode Selection Using Context Rules
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication systems often create 'islands' of users that cannot efficiently communicate with each other, as they require expensive pair-wise federation and are locked into static communication modes and devices, leading to suboptimal communication outcomes, especially when the called party is not available via the initial chosen medium.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that identify and select the most appropriate communication endpoints and applications for both parties based on predefined rules, allowing for dynamic switching between different communication modes and devices to ensure effective communication, such as rerouting a voice call to a text or video call if the recipient is unavailable via the initial medium.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a voice call is initiated to a called party's desktop telephone, then the communication session is established using a specific communication mode, but the called party cannot be reached if they are not available via voice, even though they may be available through a different communication medium
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically selects communication modes, applications, and devices based on real-time presence information and user availability. Instead of locking into a static communication mode at session initiation, the system can switch between voice, video, text, and virtual reality applications depending on the called party's current state, thereby improving communication success rate while maintaining adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes communication parameters (mode, application, device) based on presence information and policy rules. When initial communication attempts fail or presence indicates unavailability, the system automatically adjusts parameters by selecting alternative communication applications or devices from the contact information, resolving the contradiction between reliability and adaptability
2Adaptability or versatility
If communication applications require pair-wise federation among application providers, then communication sessions can be established between different providers, but the system complexity and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces a communication manager as an intermediary that handles cross-provider communication without requiring direct pair-wise federation between all application providers. The communication manager receives communication requests, determines presence information, and routes communications through appropriate applications, thereby enabling cross-provider communication while reducing system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The communication manager provides universal functionality that works across multiple communication providers and applications. Instead of requiring each provider to implement specific federation protocols with every other provider, the universal communication manager handles routing and presence determination for all providers, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining versatility
3Productivity
If the system dynamically selects communication endpoints and applications based on presence and policy, then communication efficiency is improved, but the selection process requires complex rule-based decision making
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-defining policy rules and contact information that map communication scenarios to appropriate endpoints and applications. These rules are established in advance and stored in the communication manager, allowing rapid automated decision-making during communication sessions without requiring complex real-time analysis, thereby improving efficiency while managing selection complexity
Data Source
AI summary
The system and method identify contact information for a first party. The contact information for the first party includes a plurality of communication endpoints of the first party and a plurality of communication applications for the plurality of communication endpoints of the first party. For example, the plurality of communication endpoints may be a home phone and a cell phone of the first party. The plurality of communication applications may be voice, video, text, and/or virtual reality applications of the first party. An electronic communication request is received from the first party to the second party. In response to receiving the electronic communication request from the first party to the second party, a first communication endpoint of the plurality of communication endpoints for the first party and a first communication application of the plurality of communication applications of the first party is selected based on a rule.