Automatic Line Selection in Mobile Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mobile devices require manual selection of alternate communication lines for calls, which is inconvenient and prone to errors, as users must navigate menus to choose the correct line for work or personal use, leading to potential misselection.

Innovation Solution

A method that monitors call initiation and automatically determines the most frequently used communication line for outgoing calls, allowing the device to place calls on that line without user intervention, based on stored line selection information and usage patterns.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual line selection through menu is used, then user can choose specific communication line, but operation convenience deteriorates and time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveline selection accuracyVSAvoidoperation convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically selects the communication line based on stored usage patterns and call history, eliminating the need for manual user selection. The device serves itself by determining the most appropriate line without user intervention, thus improving both convenience and reducing errors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-stores communication line selection information and usage patterns in advance. When a call is initiated, the pre-stored data is immediately retrieved and used to automatically select the appropriate line, eliminating the need for real-time manual selection and improving operational speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If manual line selection through menu is used, then user can choose specific communication line, but time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveline selection accuracyVSAvoidcall configuration time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically selects the communication line based on stored usage patterns and call history, eliminating the need for manual user selection. The device serves itself by determining the most appropriate line without user intervention, thus improving both convenience and reducing errors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system pre-stores communication line selection information and usage patterns in advance. When a call is initiated, the pre-stored data is immediately retrieved and used to automatically select the appropriate line, eliminating the need for real-time manual selection and improving operational speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If manual line selection is used, then user has control over line choice, but error rate increases due to accidental selection

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser controlVSAvoidline selection accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically selects the communication line based on stored usage patterns and call history, eliminating the need for manual user selection. The device serves itself by determining the most appropriate line without user intervention, thus improving both convenience and reducing errors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses stored line selection information and call history as feedback to automatically determine the most appropriate communication line. This feedback mechanism ensures accurate line selection based on actual usage patterns, reducing accidental selections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2104396B1Methods and apparatus for line selection in a communication device
Publication Date: 2011.10.19 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP2104396B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2104396B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2104396B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4A

AI summary

Embodiments of an apparatus and methods for selecting a communication line from two or more lines on a communication device are described herein. The communication device comprises a display module, an input module, a line selection module, and a communication module for making a call over a network to a target recipient. In one broad aspect, upon detecting initiation of the call to the target recipient, a determination of which of the communication lines is a communication line most frequently used on the mobile device is made in the selection of a communication line accessible at the communication device on which an outgoing call may be placed.