SIM Toolkit Applet for Call-Completion Initiation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing Call-Completion solutions in mobile communications lack user-friendly initiation mechanisms for services like 'Call-Me' SMS and 'Collect Call', and SMS-based alerts are less effective due to inferior alerting power compared to incoming calls, especially with the decline in SMS urgency and complexity in initiating call-backs.

Innovation Solution

A software application installed on the SIM card (SIM ToolKit Applet) that automatically triggers a menu for Call-Completion options upon specific call failure conditions, allowing easy initiation of 'Call-Me' SMS or 'Collect Call' without manual USSD code entry, and enhances alerting power by converting SMS notifications to IVR calls with automatic call-back prompts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If SMS-based notification is used for Call-Completion, then the service can be implemented, but the alerting power is inferior compared to incoming calls

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvealerting powerVSAvoiduser response urgency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the notification parameter from SMS to voice call, transforming the alerting mechanism to match traditional telephony habits and improve alerting power. The system converts Call-Me SMS requests into incoming voice calls that can be answered to initiate call-back, leveraging the superior alerting capability of voice communications over SMS.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of operation

If manual USSD code entry is required to initiate Call-Completion services, then service initiation is possible, but the complexity increases and user-friendliness decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice initiation simplicityVSAvoidinitiation procedure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service by automatically converting Call-Me SMS requests into incoming voice calls without requiring manual USSD code entry. The network automatically processes the SMS request and initiates the appropriate call-back mechanism, eliminating the need for users to remember or enter complex codes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism where the network acts as a mediator between the SMS request and the call-back initiation. The system receives the Call-Me SMS, processes it through the network, and automatically converts it into an incoming voice call, simplifying the user interaction while maintaining service functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If Call-Me SMS service is implemented, then insolvent subscribers can request call-back, but the alerting power is insufficient compared to incoming calls

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecall-back initiation effectivenessVSAvoiddecline in SMS urgency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the notification parameter from SMS to voice call for Call-Me requests, transforming the alerting mechanism to improve effectiveness. By converting the SMS request into an incoming voice call that the subscriber can answer to initiate call-back, the system leverages the superior alerting capability of voice communications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3560222B1A method for augmenting existing call-completion solutions
Publication Date: 2022.06.15 MAHDI ALI
  • EP3560222B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3560222B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3560222B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A Software application installed on the Subscriber Identity Module (SIM; using Sim ToolKit) complemented with a method consisting of simple modifications made to the Mobile Network Operator's (MNO) standard configurations, to enhance the functionality, effectiveness, and overall user experience with existing Call-Completion solutions by a) Detecting a failed outgoing call-attempt in order to present the subscriber with a simple, one-touch mechanism for initiating the MNO's Call-Completion products, b) triggering an outbound IVR call instead of a Call-Completion SMS delivering superior alerting power and a higher sense of urgency, and c) prompting the subscriber with an automatic call-back mechanism in response to the receipt of Call-Completion Alerts delivered via an IVR call.