Ring Back Tone Playback Control for Calling Party Customization

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Solution Overview

Problem

In existing Ring Back Tone systems, a calling terminal can only receive a called-party-customized Ring Back Tone when the called party has customized a called-party RBT service, preventing the calling party from hearing their own customized ring tone.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that determine whether the called party has customized a Ring Back Tone service, allowing the system to play a calling-party-customized RBT to the calling terminal, even if the called party has customized a called-party RBT service, by using a Mobile Switching Center (MSC) or Service Control Point (SCP) to route the call and manage ring tone playback.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the called party has customized a called-party RBT service, then the calling terminal receives a called-party-customized RBT, but the calling party cannot hear their own customized ring tone

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvering tone selection flexibilityVSAvoidcalling party's customized ring tone

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by differentiating the ring tone playback behavior based on the service type (calling-party RBT vs. called-party RBT). When the calling party has customized a calling-party RBT service, the system plays the calling party's customized ring tone to the calling terminal, regardless of whether the called party has customized a called-party RBT service. This localized customization approach allows both parties to have their own ring tone preferences simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a nested structure where the called-party RBT service is embedded within the overall RBT service framework. The system first determines whether the calling party has customized a calling-party RBT service, and if so, plays that ring tone. Only when the calling party has not customized such a service does the system proceed to play the called-party-customized ring tone. This nested determination logic ensures that the calling party's customization takes precedence while maintaining compatibility with the called-party's customization options.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the system plays called-party-customized RBT to the calling terminal, then the called party's customization is respected, but the calling party's customization is ignored

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecalled-party customization supportVSAvoidcalling party control

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing a determination step before playing the ring tone. The system first determines whether the calling party has customized a calling-party RBT service associated with the called terminal. Based on this preliminary determination, the system then decides which ring tone to play: if the calling party has customized a service, play their customized ring tone; otherwise, play the called-party-customized ring tone. This preliminary determination ensures that the calling party's control preference is established before the ring tone playback occurs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the system distinguishes between calling-party RBT and called-party RBT services, then customization options are expanded, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecustomization optionsVSAvoidRBT service management

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary determination mechanism that mediates between the calling-party RBT service and the called-party RBT service. The system uses a determination unit to assess whether the calling party has customized a calling-party RBT service, and based on this assessment, selects the appropriate ring tone to play. This intermediary determination layer simplifies the overall system logic by providing a clear decision-making framework that handles both service types without requiring complex interaction management between them.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP2046006B1Ring back tone playing method, device, and system

Publication Date: 2013.04.24 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD

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AI summary

A method, apparatus and system for playing a Ring Back Tone are provided, and the method includes: determining, according to a call request initiated by a calling party, whether a called party has customized a called-party Ring Back Tone service; further determining, if the called party has customized a called-party Ring Back Tone service, whether the calling party has customized a Ring Back Tone; and playing, if the calling party has customized a Ring Back Tone, a ring tone to the calling party according to the Ring Back Tone customized by the calling party. According to the above technical solution, the calling party can accurately receive the ring tone selected by the calling party himself in the case that the called party has customized a Ring Back Tone service.