Local Voicemail Storage on Mobile Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Network-based voicemail systems limit user access, storage, and management of voicemails on mobile devices due to network dependency, storage restrictions, and cumbersome voice-driven menu systems.

Innovation Solution

Implementing local voicemail on a mobile device by enabling it to answer voice calls, record audio, and store voicemails on local computer-readable media, allowing for association with relevant data and manipulation through a user interface, independent of network access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If voicemail is stored on a network, then central化管理 and access control are improved, but user access flexibility and storage capacity are limited by network availability

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoicemail access reliabilityVSAvoidvoicemail access flexibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments voicemail storage into two locations: network-based central storage and local mobile device storage. This segmentation allows the system to maintain centralized management capabilities while simultaneously providing local access flexibility. The mobile device stores voicemail messages locally in its memory, enabling access independent of network availability, while the network server retains overall system coordination capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a message gateway as an intermediary component that coordinates between the network-based voicemail system and the mobile device's local storage. The gateway receives voicemail messages from the network, forwards them to the mobile device for local storage, and manages synchronization between the two storage locations. This intermediary enables seamless integration of centralized and local storage approaches.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If network-based voicemail systems are used, then centralized management is improved, but storage capacity and access speed are restricted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoicemail management reliabilityVSAvoidvoicemail storage capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides voicemail storage capacity between network servers and mobile device local memory. The mobile device's local storage provides additional capacity that is not constrained by network server limitations. Users can store larger volumes of voicemail messages locally on their devices, effectively increasing total storage capacity while the network server maintains centralized management for coordination and synchronization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Extent of automation

If voice-driven menu systems are employed, then automation is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to cumbersome navigation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevoicemail system automationVSAvoidvoicemail navigation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the voice-driven menu system with a graphical user interface (GUI) on the mobile device. Instead of requiring users to navigate through voice commands and menu selections, the system presents visual icons and buttons that users can interact with through touch. This substitution of voice-based mechanical navigation with visual graphical interaction significantly improves ease of operation while maintaining the automated voicemail management capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS8412163B2Local voicemail for mobile devices
Publication Date: 2013.04.02 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC
  • US8412163B2 patent drawing
  • US8412163B2 patent drawing
  • US8412163B2 patent drawing

AI summary

This document describes various techniques for implementing local voicemail on a mobile device. These techniques may include enabling the mobile device to answer a voice call, record audio of the voice call to provide a voicemail file, and store the voicemail file to local computer-readable media. A locally stored voicemail file may be associated with relevant data, exposed via the associated data for local processing, and/or manipulated through a user interface of the mobile device.