PBX Call Management via External Application Server

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current PBX systems lack efficient and reliable external call management capabilities, as they require a gateway server that introduces overhead and bottlenecks, limiting users' ability to manage calls from outside the PBX system.

Innovation Solution

A call management server external to the PBX, utilizing SIP protocols, provides real-time notification and control over incoming calls, allowing users to direct call handling through a client interface, eliminating the need for a gateway server and enhancing call management functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a gateway server is used to enable external call management access to PBX, then call management functionality is provided, but system overhead and complexity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexternal call management accessVSAvoidgateway server architecture

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the call management functionality from the traditional gateway server architecture and relocates it directly to the application server. This eliminates the intermediary gateway server component, allowing the application server to communicate directly with the PBX using SIP protocols, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining external access capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates an asymmetric communication architecture where the application server can initiate calls and send commands directly to the PBX without requiring symmetric bidirectional communication through a gateway server. This asymmetric direct connection reduces overhead while enabling comprehensive call management control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

2Adaptability or versatility

If a gateway server is used for external call management, then call control functionality is achieved, but call routing efficiency deteriorates due to hairpin routing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecall control functionalityVSAvoidcall routing efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the gateway server from the call path, extracting it as a separate intermediary component. This allows calls to route directly between the application server and PBX without the inefficient hairpin routing pattern where calls would travel through the gateway server twice, significantly improving routing efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of having calls route through the gateway server as an intermediary (traditional approach), the patent inverts the architecture so that the application server directly interfaces with the PBX. This inversion eliminates the hairpin routing inefficiency while maintaining full call control functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a gateway server is deployed for external access, then call management is enabled, but system reliability decreases due to single point of failure

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexternal access capabilityVSAvoidsystem reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the gateway server component from the architecture entirely, removing the single point of failure that it represented. By allowing the application server to communicate directly with the PBX, the system eliminates the gateway server's vulnerability while preserving external access capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The application server performs its own call management functions directly without requiring the gateway server as an intermediary. This self-service capability eliminates the single point of failure, as the application server can independently manage calls without relying on the gateway server's availability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

4Adaptability or versatility

If PRI circuits are used for gateway communication, then external access is provided, but PBX capacity is consumed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveexternal accessVSAvoidPBX capacity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the traditional PRI circuit-based communication mechanism with SIP protocol over IP networks. This substitution eliminates the need for dedicated PRI circuits between the gateway server and PBX, freeing up PBX capacity while maintaining external access capability through network-based signaling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS8737385B2PBX call management

Publication Date: 2014.05.27 VERIZON PATENT & LICENSING INC

AI summary

Enhanced call management services to users receiving incoming calls on extensions on a private branch exchange (PBX) is provided by an application server configured to provide call management services to at least one of the users and a protocol proxy configured to receive call information from the PBX according to a protocol for establishing call sessions. The application server is further configured to receive the call information from the protocol proxy.