Integrated Thin Client and Telephony Device for Foreground Voice
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The integration of thin-client and telephony devices poses challenges in collaboration environments due to the need for both devices to be associated and active, which is costly and error-prone, and softphones often get sent to the background, disrupting voice collaboration.
Innovation Solution
A telephony apparatus with an integrated thin client and telephone device, sharing connectors, circuitry, and processors, allowing both devices to communicate via a single network connection and be managed more efficiently, reducing equipment clutter and costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a softphone application is used on a thin client, then voice communication capability is provided, but the application may be sent to the background and disrupt voice collaboration
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the softphone application with a dedicated telephony device interface, creating an integrated system where the application runs within a telephony-oriented environment. This merging ensures the application maintains foreground availability and receives appropriate user attention, resolving the issue of the softphone being sent to the background during collaboration activities.
2Adaptability or versatility
If both a thin client device and a conventional telephone set are provided, then voice collaboration is supported, but management complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the thin client device with a conventional telephone set into a single integrated device. This combination maintains voice collaboration support while eliminating the need to manage two separate devices and their associations, thereby reducing management complexity and costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated device performs multiple functions - it operates as both a thin client for collaboration applications and as a conventional telephone set for voice calls. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate devices while maintaining all required capabilities.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a softphone application is used, then voice communication is enabled, but user attention and foreground visibility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the softphone application with a dedicated telephony device interface, the system creates an integrated experience where voice communication capabilities are prominently displayed and easily accessible. The telephony device provides a natural user interface that maintains user attention and makes the application feel like a native telephony tool rather than a background software application.
Data Source
AI summary
A telephony apparatus connectable to a communication network and printed circuit board are provided. The telephony apparatus includes a package having a telephone footprint and comprising at least one connector to the communication network; a thin client device housed within the package, the thin client device connectable to a thin client display and a thin client input device; a stimulus telephony device housed within the package, the stimulus telephony device comprising a telephony display and telephony input device, the stimulus telephony device connectable to an audio input device; and the thin client device and the stimulus telephony device are further connectable to the communication network via the at least one connector.