Set-Top Box Voice Services Banner for Real-Time Call Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current cable services networks do not offer real-time management of telephone calls or notifications of incoming calls while subscribers are viewing television, leading to missed calls.
Innovation Solution
A method for managing and configuring real-time notification and disposition of voice services in a cable television services system, which includes generating a voice services banner for displaying options and receiving selections for managing incoming calls, and configuring voice services options on a display device connected to a set-top box based on a subscriber's profile.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If real-time notification and management of incoming calls is implemented, then call management capability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a set-top box as an intermediary device between the cable service network and the subscriber's television. The set-top box receives incoming call notifications from the network, processes them, and displays them on the television screen with call management options. This intermediary handles the complexity of real-time call management, keeping the subscriber interface simple while enabling sophisticated call control capabilities.
2Loss of information
If real-time call notification is provided during television viewing, then notification capability is improved, but user interface complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes the television screen as an additional display dimension for call notifications. Instead of using traditional telephone displays or separate devices, the system overlays call information and management options on the television screen that the subscriber is already viewing. This approach leverages an existing display interface, avoiding the need for additional complex user interfaces while maintaining notification capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If configuration options for voice services are made available, then service management flexibility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a configuration menu that allows subscribers to pre-configure their voice service preferences and call management options. During initial setup or through accessible menus, users can define how they want to receive and handle incoming calls before actual service use. This preliminary configuration reduces the need for complex real-time decisions and simplifies the user interface during actual call management.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods are provided for managing and configuring voice services the notification and disposition of voice services, such as telephone calls, in a cable television services system. In response to receiving a notification of an incoming voice service in the cable television services system, a voice services banner is generated for displaying options for managing the incoming voice service. Options for managing the incoming voice service are selected from the voice services banner. An on-screen user interface is generated for configuring voice services options on a display device in communication with a set-top box. The user interface receives selections for configuring the voice services options. In response to receiving a selection, a determination is made whether to display a menu for configuring the voice services options based on a subscriber profile. If it is determined that the configuration of voice services is authorized, then the menu is displayed for configuring the voice services options.