PBX Contact Synchronization for Multi-Device DID Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication systems fail to synchronize contact information across multiple devices registered under the same DID, leading to incomplete caller information on some devices and requiring laborious user-driven database synchronization, which is inconvenient and often requires internet access, especially for low-budget devices without IP interfaces.

Innovation Solution

A method that transmits SETUP and ALERT messages between communication devices registered under the same DID within a communication system to share contact information, allowing devices to update and synchronize without a central database or internet connection, enabling all registered devices to display caller information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a centralized contact database in the cloud is used for synchronizing contact data, then contact synchronization is achieved, but internet access is required and integration with low-budget devices without IP interfaces is not possible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice compatibilityVSAvoidsystem requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The PBX acts as an intermediary that stores and manages contact information centrally within the telephony system. Instead of requiring cloud-based databases and internet connectivity, the PBX receives contact data from external networks and makes it available to all registered devices through the existing telephony infrastructure, enabling DECT and other low-budget devices to access contact information without IP interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables devices to automatically retrieve and display contact information from the PBX without requiring user intervention for synchronization. When a call is received, the calling device automatically queries the PBX for contact information and displays it, eliminating the need for manual database synchronization that plagues cloud-based approaches.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If manual synchronization of contact databases is implemented, then contact information can be updated, but the process is laborious and requires regular user updates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontact information accuracyVSAvoiduser effort
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically retrieves and displays contact information from the PBX without requiring user intervention. When a call is received, the device automatically queries the PBX for contact data and displays it, eliminating the need for manual synchronization and reducing user effort to zero while maintaining information accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The PBX pre-loads and stores contact information in its database before calls are received. This preliminary preparation ensures that when a call arrives, the contact information is already available and can be instantly retrieved and displayed, eliminating the need for real-time synchronization during call setup.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If contact information is stored only on individual devices, then each device has local access, but synchronization across multiple devices registered under the same DID fails

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecaller information availabilityVSAvoidcontact information consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The PBX serves as a central intermediary that all devices registered under the same DID can access. Instead of requiring complex peer-to-peer synchronization between devices, each device independently queries the PBX for contact information, ensuring all devices receive consistent and complete caller information without direct device-to-device communication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Adaptability or versatility

If DECT devices are used to reduce costs, then device affordability increases, but IP interface is missing preventing database integration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice accessibilityVSAvoidinterface requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The PBX acts as an intermediary that bridges the gap between DECT devices without IP interfaces and the contact database. The PBX handles all database queries and contact information retrieval through standard telephony interfaces, allowing DECT devices to access contact information without requiring IP capabilities, thus maintaining affordability while enabling database integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP4074016B1Method of synchronizing contact information for at least two communication devices in a communication system and to a communication system
Publication Date: 2024.03.20 UNIFY BETEILIGUNGSVERWALTUNG GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4074016B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4074016B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4074016B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method of synchronizing contact information for at least two communication devices (3, 4) in a communication system (1), wherein a first communication device (3) and a second communication device (4) of the at least two communication devices (3, 4) are registered at the communication system (1) with the same DID, the method comprising the steps of receiving, at the communication system (1), an external call of an external calling device (6); identifying the telephone number of the external calling device (6); transmitting a SETUP message to the first communication device (3) and another SETUP message to the second communication device (4); receiving, from either one of the first and second communication devices (3, 4), a message comprising contact information pertaining to the telephone number of the external calling device (6); sending a message comprising the contact information pertaining to the telephone number of the of the external calling device (6) to the other one of the first and second communication devices (3, 4) for being displayed and stored at the other one of the first and second communication devices (3, 4). Further, the present invention relates to a communication system (1), in particular, a PBX (2), which is adapted to carry out the method of s synchronizing contact information for at least two communication devices (3, 4) in the communication system (1).