Multi-Device Call Control for Stable Ongoing Conversations

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face inconveniences in making multi-party calls using a single device, as operations like answering or dialing affect current calls, and they cannot handle multiple incoming calls simultaneously.

Innovation Solution

A communication system and method that allows users to perform multi-party calls using multiple devices, synchronizing call information between devices and enabling operations like answering or dialing on one device while maintaining the current call on another, facilitated by a trust relationship established through system authentication accounts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a user performs dialing or answering operations on a single device during a call, then the user can control the call, but the current call is affected and user experience deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecall control convenienceVSAvoidcurrent call stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the call control function across multiple devices. The first device (e.g., mobile phone) maintains the current call, while the second device (e.g., tablet) handles dialing or answering operations for other calls. This segmentation allows independent operation on each device without interfering with the current call, resolving the contradiction between operational convenience and call stability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If a user uses a single device for multi-party calls, then the device complexity is low, but the user cannot handle multiple incoming calls simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulti-call handling capabilityVSAvoidsystem configuration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the call handling capabilities of multiple devices into a unified system. Devices within the same communication system (established through trust relationships via authentication accounts) can cooperate to handle multiple calls simultaneously. The first device maintains current calls while the second device handles incoming calls, achieving high adaptability without requiring each individual device to be overly complex.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If multiple devices are used for call operations, then the impact on current calls is reduced, but the system authentication and trust relationship complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulti-device operation smoothnessVSAvoidauthentication system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a communication system as an intermediary that manages authentication and trust relationships between devices. By establishing trust relationships through authentication accounts at the system level, the complexity of device-to-device authentication is abstracted away. This intermediary layer enables smooth multi-device operation without requiring complex direct authentication mechanisms between each device pair.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4412190B1Call method and communication system
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 HONOR DEVICE CO LTD
  • EP4412190B1 patent drawingFigure 1(a)~1(c)
  • EP4412190B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP4412190B1 patent drawingFigure 2C

AI summary

Embodiments of the application provides a communication method and a communication system, relating to the field of terminal technologies. When making a call by using one device, a user may perform a dialing operation by using another device. This can avoid that the user answers a call and dials at the same time when using the same device, and can reduce influence of the dialing operation on the current call and improve user experience. The method includes the following steps: A second device displays a first interface, where the first interface includes an icon of a first application. The second device displays a second interface in response to an operation of the user on the icon of the first application. The second device sends a dialing instruction to the first device in response to an operation of the user of inputting a target number and dialing on the second interface, where the dialing instruction carries a target number. The first device sends a call request to a fourth device in response to the dialing instruction. After the fourth device answers the call, the second device can establish a second call with the fourth device through the first device.