Communication Rule Change Confirmation Scheduling

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Users face challenges in managing complex communication handling rules and policies in dynamic environments, often requiring expertise to configure and update rules, and existing systems like call handling presence servers can overwhelm users with screen pop-ups and lack effective means for implementing new rules when users are unavailable.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that determine a proposed change to communication handling rules, schedule a time for user confirmation, and if unavailable, delegate the confirmation to a suitable time within the delegate's schedule, using a computing device with a processor, communication interface, and database to analyze user activities and presence data to formulate and confirm rule changes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the system frequently requests confirmation of rule changes, then the implementation effectiveness is improved, but the user experiences overload and disruption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverule change implementation effectivenessVSAvoiduser overload and disruption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by analyzing user schedules and availability before requesting confirmation. It determines optimal times for confirmation requests based on previously stored schedule data, ensuring the user is available to respond without being disrupted during unavailable periods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts its behavior based on real-time availability information. It monitors user schedules and availability status, then adapts the timing of confirmation requests accordingly, transitioning from static frequent requests to dynamic scheduled requests that respect user availability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If the system requests confirmation at any time, then the responsiveness is improved, but it disrupts user availability and work flow

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem responsivenessVSAvoiduser availability time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system preliminarily determines the user's availability schedule and stores it for future reference. When a confirmation request needs to be made, the system retrieves the pre-stored schedule information to identify appropriate timing windows that do not disrupt user availability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses feedback from availability information to guide its confirmation request timing. It continuously monitors and incorporates availability data into its decision-making process, adjusting when confirmation requests are made based on real-time user availability status.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If the system implements rules automatically without confirmation, then the efficiency is improved, but the user loses control over their communication policies

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverule implementation efficiencyVSAvoiduser control over communication policies

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides self-service by automatically analyzing user patterns and generating proposed rule changes based on stored communication data. It presents these proposals for user confirmation, allowing the system to handle routine analysis and presentation while maintaining user authority over final policy decisions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback loops where proposed rule changes are presented to users for confirmation. This feedback mechanism ensures users maintain control over their communication policies while benefiting from the system's automated analysis and proposal generation capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Ease of operation

If the system waits for user availability to request confirmation, then the user experience is improved, but the rule change implementation is delayed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser experienceVSAvoidrule change implementation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary analysis of communication patterns and prepares proposed rule changes in advance. It also pre-determines optimal confirmation timing based on stored schedule data, so when the user becomes available, the system can immediately present relevant proposals without unnecessary delays.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically balances between user availability and implementation timing. It monitors user schedules in real-time and adjusts confirmation request timing to coincide with available periods, minimizing overall delay while respecting user availability preferences.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS8605879B2Method, system and apparatus for requesting confirmation of a communication handling rule change

Publication Date: 2013.12.10 MITEL CORP

AI summary

A method, system and apparatus of requesting confirmation of a communication handling rule change is provided. A proposed change to a set of communication handling rules is determined. A time within a schedule for requesting confirmation of the proposed change is determined. The confirmation of the proposed change requested, at the time.