Originating Locator Service Automates Multi-Number Call Sequencing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for reaching a person with multiple telephone numbers are inefficient and costly, as callers often need to make multiple attempts across different numbers, which can be time-consuming and frustrating.
Innovation Solution
An originating locator service that allows a calling party to create profiles with sequences of telephone numbers, enabling automatic sequential calls to be made across multiple numbers, with options for handling 'no-answer' and 'busy' conditions, and connecting to the first answered destination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a calling party manually makes multiple calls to different telephone numbers to reach a called party, then the called party can be reached through various contact methods, but the process becomes time-consuming and frustrating for the calling party
Solution Approach 1:
The calling party pre-configures a profile containing multiple telephone numbers and call handling preferences before needing to make calls. This preliminary setup includes defining the sequence of numbers to call and instructions for handling busy or no-answer conditions, eliminating the need to manually manage multiple call attempts in the moment
Solution Approach 2:
A network entity (such as a service control point or application server) acts as an intermediary between the calling and called parties. This intermediary automatically executes the pre-configured calling sequence, managing multiple call attempts across different numbers and conditions without requiring the calling party's direct intervention for each attempt
2Reliability
If a calling party makes multiple manual call attempts across different numbers, then the called party can be reached, but the process becomes costly for the calling party
Solution Approach 1:
The cost-effective solution is achieved through the same preliminary profile configuration, where the calling party defines their preferred calling sequence and parameters in advance. This allows the system to automatically execute the most efficient calling pattern, avoiding unnecessary call attempts and associated costs
Solution Approach 2:
The network intermediary optimizes call routing by automatically executing the pre-configured sequence, selecting the most efficient path to reach the called party and minimizing the total number of call attempts required, thereby reducing cost
3Extent of automation
If terminating services are used to handle call routing based on answer status, then calls can be automatically forwarded to alternative numbers, but such services are only available for call recipients not initiators
Solution Approach 1:
The invention inverts the traditional approach by enabling the calling party (originator) to control and configure call routing behavior, rather than only the called party (terminator). The calling party creates profiles that define how calls should be routed based on answer status, busy conditions, and other parameters, giving originators the same automated control that terminating services provided to recipients
Data Source
AI summary
A device receives information associated with a calling party, validates the calling party for an originating locator service based on the calling party information, and sends an instruction to play an announcement requesting information associated with a called party. The device also receives the called party information from the calling party in response to the announcement, and retrieves called party destination information based on the called party information. The device then sends an instruction to originate a sequence of calls to the called party based on the called party destination information.