Mobile Call Forwarding with White List Filtering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current mobile telephone networks lack the flexibility and usability of manager/assistant call forwarding services available on fixed networks, as they only allow unconditional call forwarding without features to transfer calls or contact the manager directly, limiting their effectiveness and requiring manual deactivation.
Innovation Solution
A method for mobile networks that allows call forwarding from a manager to an assistant, enabling the assistant to answer and transfer calls, with the option to use either mobile or fixed terminals, and includes a white list for direct routing of specific calls, allowing users to activate and deactivate the service autonomously and across different communication networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If unconditional call forwarding is activated on mobile networks, then all calls are diverted to the assistant, but the manager cannot receive calls directly and the service cannot be deactivated easily
Solution Approach 1:
The call forwarding service is made dynamic and adjustable rather than static and unconditional. The system allows the manager to activate/deactivate forwarding, add/remove numbers from the white list, and switch between different assistant numbers, enabling flexible adaptation to changing needs while maintaining ease of operation through automated management.
Solution Approach 2:
The white list acts as an intermediary mechanism that selectively intercepts calls before they reach the assistant. By introducing this intermediate filtering layer, the system resolves the contradiction by allowing most calls to be forwarded automatically while enabling direct manager access for important callers without requiring service deactivation.
2Reliability
If manager/assistant call forwarding is implemented on fixed networks with technical personnel configuration, then call transfer functionality is available, but the service requires specialized personnel and cannot be configured autonomously
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service configuration where the manager can autonomously activate/deactivate call forwarding, manage the white list, and switch assistants using automated procedures on their mobile device. This eliminates the need for technical personnel while maintaining reliable call transfer functionality through user-friendly interfaces and automated service management.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary configuration actions automatically, such as pre-setting up the white list structure, pre-configuring call routing rules, and pre-establishing assistant number associations. This preliminary automation reduces the complexity of service configuration while ensuring reliable call transfer functionality from the start.
3Ease of operation
If the assistant receives all calls through unconditional forwarding, then call filtering is possible, but the assistant cannot transfer calls back to the manager or contact the manager directly
Solution Approach 1:
The system establishes a feedback loop where the assistant can initiate calls to the manager and transfer incoming calls back to the manager. This feedback mechanism resolves the communication barrier by enabling two-way interaction while maintaining the call filtering benefit, as the assistant can now actively engage with the manager when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The call handling functionality is segmented into distinct capabilities: automatic forwarding for general calls, white list filtering for direct manager access, and assistant-initiated transfer for selective call routing. This segmentation allows the assistant to filter calls effectively while maintaining the ability to contact and transfer calls to the manager when appropriate.
Data Source
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AI summary
Method and apparatus for managing a manager / assistant call transfer system on mobile telephone communication networks, which may be advantageously implemented inside a mobile telephone communication network node, which is easily configured by means of the mobile communication device of the user and which allows to forward to a second user (the assistant), the calls directed to a first user (the manager) on the mobile network. Numerous additional services are further available such as the creation of white lists of calling numbers whose calls destined to the first user are transferred directly to the first user (the manager) without first being diverted to the second user (the assistant).