Message Response Intermediary for Incoming Call Handling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face inconvenience when handling incoming phone calls, as they must either answer or forward calls to voicemail, which can be time-consuming and inconvenient for both the caller and recipient, especially with the increasing number of SMS messages received on mobile devices.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that allow users to respond to incoming calls with a message instead of answering or forwarding to voicemail, using computing devices to identify the caller's message identifier and initiate a message reply, which can be in the form of text, image, or audio, enabling communication without accepting the call.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If users answer or forward calls to voicemail, then the call is handled, but it consumes time and is inconvenient for both caller and recipient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecall handling convenienceVSAvoidtime spent on call response

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the essential communication function from the call handling process by allowing users to send pre-configured message templates (voicemail alternatives, out-of-office responses, etc.) instead of actually answering or forwarding calls. This removes the time-consuming aspects of traditional call handling while preserving the ability to communicate with callers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-configures message templates and response options before calls arrive. When a call comes in, users can quickly select from pre-prepared responses rather than composing messages in real-time, significantly reducing the time required to respond while maintaining personalized communication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If users send message responses to incoming calls, then communication efficiency improves, but the device must support both voice and data capabilities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication efficiencyVSAvoiddevice capability requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal call response system that works across multiple device types and network configurations. The message response framework is designed to function on devices with varying capabilities, allowing the same core functionality to operate whether the device supports only SMS, MMS, or full data messaging capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces a message response intermediary layer that sits between the call handling system and the messaging system. This intermediary manages the complexity by handling message composition, selection, and transmission, while presenting a simple interface to users regardless of the underlying device capabilities or network conditions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP1922849B1Method and device for enabling message responses to incoming phone calls

Publication Date: 2016.09.14 QUALCOMM INC

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AI summary

A computing device is configured to receive an incoming communication from another computing device. The incoming communication may be for purpose of initiating a voice-exchange session. In response to receiving the incoming call, the computing device may identify or determine a message identifier of the other computing device. The message identifier is determined based at least in part on data provided with the incoming communication. The computing device may programmatically address a message to the other computing device using the message identifier detepnined from the incoming communication.