Multi-Mode Device Network-Specific Call Waiting Alerts

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Multi-mode devices struggle to provide network-specific call waiting alerts, leading to difficulties in distinguishing between business and personal calls when active on both mobile and Wi-Fi networks, often resulting in interruptions or missed calls due to lack of caller identification.

Innovation Solution

A multi-mode device that injects network-specific alerts, such as unique tones or vibrations, to identify incoming calls from different networks, allowing users to decide whether to interrupt ongoing calls without viewing the screen, even when caller identification is not provided by the network.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the device provides network-specific call waiting alerts, then call management capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecall management capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the call waiting alert mechanism by network type. Different alert patterns (tones, vibrations, display messages) are assigned to different networks (mobile network, Wi-Fi network). This segmentation allows the device to provide network-specific call management while maintaining a unified alert framework, resolving the contradiction between enhanced adaptability and increased complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Measurement precision

If the device displays caller identification, then call identification accuracy is improved, but user interruption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecall identification accuracyVSAvoiduser interruption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by providing network-specific alert patterns before the user needs to view caller identification. The distinctive alert (different tone, vibration pattern, or display message) gives the user advance information about the call's origin network. This allows the user to make an informed decision about whether to interrupt the current call without immediately viewing the screen, thus maintaining call identification accuracy while reducing unnecessary interruptions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of information

If the device provides distinctive alerts for different networks, then information delivery is improved, but ease of operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation deliveryVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by providing different alert characteristics for different networks. Each network (mobile, Wi-Fi) has its own distinctive alert pattern (tone type, vibration pattern, display message). This allows the user to quickly identify the call origin without complex interactions. The system automatically selects the appropriate alert type based on the network, maintaining ease of operation while improving information delivery about call origin.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2635012B1Call waiting in a multi-mode device
Publication Date: 2019.12.04 MITEL CORP
  • EP2635012B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2635012B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP2635012B1 patent drawingFigure 4~6

AI summary

A multi-mode device for providing call waiting network identification. The device can establish a first call through a first network. While communicating through the first network, a second call can be received from a second network. The first network is independent of the second network and operate separately on the multi-mode device. The multi-mode device injects an alert specific to the second network into the call through the first network signalling the call through the second network. By providing the distinctive alert tone, the user of the multi-mode device can determine if the call waiting tone is for business or personal giving the user the chance to ignore the call and continue talking without having to take the handset away from their face, activate the screen and view the caller identification information to decide whether or not to take the call.