Media Channel Management for Session Flexibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing telecommunications systems are platform-dependent and lack flexibility in switching between media channels during a communications session, limiting users' ability to change media types without losing context or terminating the session.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that enable platform-independent media channel flexibility by detecting dynamic constraints of communication appliances, providing toggle options through an IVR system, capturing and delivering context between media channels, and allowing users to switch media channels or devices during a session, with notification of availability and routing instructions for seamless transitions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Stability of the object's composition

If separate dedicated media channels are used for each media type, then media channel stability is improved, but media channel adaptability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemedia channel stabilityVSAvoidmedia channel adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal communications interface that can handle multiple media types (voice, text, video, data) through a single unified channel rather than requiring separate dedicated channels for each media type. This allows the system to adapt between different media channels while maintaining session continuity, resolving the contradiction between stability and adaptability.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically switches between different media channels during a communications session based on user needs and available resources. The unified interface enables flexible transitions between voice, text, video, and data channels without terminating the session, making the system adaptable while maintaining stable session management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Device complexity

If media type is chosen at the beginning of session, then session management simplicity is improved, but media channel adaptability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesession management simplicityVSAvoidmedia channel adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system allows dynamic media channel switching during the session lifecycle. Users can change media types (voice to text, text to video, etc.) without ending the session, and the unified interface manages these transitions automatically, maintaining simplicity while enabling adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The unified communications interface acts as an intermediary between the user and multiple media channels. It abstracts the complexity of media switching from the user, providing simple session management while enabling flexible adaptability between different media types through the intermediary layer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If users switch media channels during session, then media channel adaptability is improved, but context loss increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemedia channel adaptabilityVSAvoidcontext loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system maintains continuous session context across media channel transitions. The unified interface ensures that conversation history, session state, and contextual information are preserved when users switch between different media types, eliminating context loss while enabling adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides feedback mechanisms that maintain context awareness during media switching. The unified interface tracks and preserves session context, ensuring that users and the system remain aware of the ongoing conversation state regardless of which media channel is currently active, preventing information loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

4Adaptability or versatility

If platform-dependent applications are used, then application functionality is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication functionalityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal communications interface that works across multiple platforms and devices without requiring platform-specific applications. This single unified interface provides consistent functionality across different operating systems and devices, reducing device complexity while maintaining full application functionality.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The unified interface acts as an intermediary layer between the user and platform-specific implementations. It abstracts away platform dependencies, allowing the same application functionality to work across different platforms without increasing device complexity, as the intermediary handles platform-specific variations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3195576B1Media channel management apparatus for network communications sessions
Publication Date: 2020.04.08 GREENEDEN U S HLDG II LLC
  • EP3195576B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3195576B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3195576B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A system includes: a computerized appliance having a processor; and software executing on the computerized appliance from a non-transitory physical medium, the software providing: establishment of a communication session over a network between two or more end communications appliances; detection and recording of at least media channel capabilities on individual end communications appliances connected in the session; service of media channel toggle options to end communications appliances; detection of media channel toggle option selections made by users operating the end communications appliances; and implementation of the media channel toggle option or options selected for individual communications sessions.