Mobile Call Setup Using Data Channel Supplemental Information
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile devices incur unnecessary charges and user experience delays when establishing a voice channel for incoming calls from a PBX, as they are tariffed from the moment the audio channel is started, even if the user hasn't accepted the call yet, and there's a time lag between call acceptance and voice channel availability.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a system where supplemental information about the incoming call is provided over a data channel before the audio channel is established, allowing the user to accept the call and receive contextual information visually or audibly, while the voice channel is being set up, using a third-party call control server to manage the setup process and reduce user confusion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the mobile device starts setting up the voice channel immediately upon receiving the call notification, then the call setup time is reduced, but the mobile device incurs unnecessary charges when the user does not accept the call
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile device performs preliminary actions by starting the voice channel setup process immediately upon receiving call notification, before user acceptance. This preliminary action reduces call setup time while the system is designed to terminate the setup if the user doesn't accept, avoiding wasted charges.
Solution Approach 2:
The network infrastructure acts as an intermediary between the mobile device and the charging system. It enables the device to initiate voice channel setup without immediate charge commitment, and can terminate the setup process if the user doesn't accept the call, thus mediating between fast setup and cost avoidance.
2Loss of energy
If the mobile device waits for user acceptance before establishing the voice channel, then unnecessary charges are avoided, but the user experience is negatively impacted due to time delay
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary voice channel setup actions before user acceptance is confirmed. This allows the network to prepare the call path in advance, so that when the user accepts, the connection is established quickly without perceived delay, while maintaining cost efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the network monitors user acceptance status and dynamically adjusts the voice channel setup process. If the user accepts, the pre-prepared channel is activated; if not, the setup is terminated, providing feedback-driven cost optimization.
3Loss of time
If the mobile device establishes the voice channel quickly, then call setup is faster, but the user may perceive call failure due to the time lag between acceptance and channel availability
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements comprehensive feedback mechanisms that continuously update the user on call setup status. The network provides real-time information about channel establishment progress, so users understand the delay is due to technical setup rather than call failure, maintaining trust and reducing perceived problems.
Data Source
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AI summary
Availability of a call for a mobile device can be signaled over a data channel; to avoid unnecessary airtime charges, an audio channel for the voice call is setup only if a user of the mobile device accepts the call. Responsive to the user accepting the call, the mobile device can signal to a network to establish the audio channel. Establishing the audio channel takes some time. The time in which the audio channel is established is used to output, at the mobile device, supplemental information received over the data channel, such as information about a calling party, such as directory information, organization information, and call history. The outputting of such information during this time period makes a user experience better, because the user is less likely to think that a call has failed by observing an unfilled delay between when the call was accepted through the user interface and when the audio channel is actually available to service the call.