Polled Geofencing Ring-Back Tone Location Alert
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Solution Overview
Problem
Geofencing technologies are complex and not suitable for casual usage, while ring-back tones are primarily used for personalization and not effective in indicating location-based information to calling parties.
Innovation Solution
A polled geofencing system that uses specialized ring-back tones to alert a designated calling party about the location of a called party relative to a predetermined boundary during a call setup, by determining the location of the called party and playing relevant tones based on geofencing conditions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If geofencing technology is used to track location, then location-based information can be obtained, but the system complexity increases making it unsuitable for casual usage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines geofencing technology with ring-back tone service to create a unified system. The location tracking functionality is merged with the existing telecommunication infrastructure, allowing users to receive location information through familiar ring-back tones without requiring separate tracking devices or complex setups.
Solution Approach 2:
The ring-back tone server acts as an intermediary between the location tracking system and the user. Instead of directly presenting complex geofencing data to users, the system uses the ring-back tone mechanism as a mediator to convey location-based information in a simple, intuitive audio format that users can easily understand.
2Ease of operation
If ring-back tone service is used for personalization, then calling parties can enjoy customized tones, but the service cannot effectively indicate location-based information
Solution Approach 1:
The ring-back tone service is enhanced to perform multiple functions: it maintains its original personalization capability while simultaneously conveying location-based information. The system can play different tones based on both user preferences and the called party's location relative to geofence boundaries, making the service universally applicable for both entertainment and information delivery purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The ring-back tone service is enhanced with location-aware functionality. Different ring-back tones are played depending on the called party's location relative to geofence boundaries. This allows the service to provide localized information delivery while maintaining its personalization features, creating a multi-functional service that adapts to different spatial contexts.
Data Source
AI summary
The apparatus may have: a telecommunication network having a tracking calling terminal and a tracked called terminal; a polled geofencing system associated with at least one predetermined area having a predetermined boundary, the tracked called terminal having a location relative to the predetermined boundary; and at least first and second predetermined ring-back tones having a functional relationship with the at least one predetermined boundary, the first predetermined ring-back tone being utilized when the tracked called terminal is within the predetermined boundary, and the second predetermined ring-back tone being utilized when the tracked called terminal is outside of the predetermined boundary; wherein the at least first and second predetermined ring-back tones alert the tracking calling terminal to a location, relative to the predetermined boundary as determined by the polled geofencing system, of tracked called terminal during a call setup between the designated tracked called terminal and the tracking calling terminal.