Speed Dial Button Highlighting for Alternate Number Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of telephones face challenges in identifying the source of calls and voice mail messages, especially when callers or callees use alternate phone numbers, leading to uncertainty about the party associated with the call or voice mail.
Innovation Solution
A method is implemented where speed dial buttons on telephone devices are highlighted or illuminated when a call is received or made to a party associated with the button, even if the call is from an alternate number, and when a voice mail is left by such a party, allowing users to easily identify the source without listening to the message.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If caller ID services are used to identify the originator of a call, then the callee can identify the caller, but the system cannot identify calls when alternate phone numbers are used
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the identification process into multiple components: primary phone number matching, alternate number matching, and speed dial button association. Each component handles a specific aspect of identification, allowing the system to reliably identify callers even when alternate numbers are used by checking multiple segments of the identification hierarchy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces speed dial buttons as an intermediary element that bridges the gap between primary and alternate phone numbers. The speed dial button serves as a mediator that associates multiple phone numbers with a single contact, allowing the system to identify the intended recipient even when the call originates from or is routed through alternate numbers.
2Productivity
If speed dial buttons are used for quick dialing, then calling efficiency is improved, but users cannot easily identify which speed dial button corresponds to the current call
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs visual indication methods such as illuminating or highlighting the relevant speed dial button during an active call. This visual feedback mechanism allows users to quickly identify which speed dial button corresponds to the current call without requiring manual checking or additional operations, maintaining both efficiency and ease of identification.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides real-time feedback by illuminating the appropriate speed dial button during calls and voice mail messages. This feedback mechanism continuously informs users of the current call's association with a specific speed dial button, enabling easy identification of call sources while maintaining the quick dialing functionality.
3Adaptability or versatility
If alternate phone numbers are used for calls, then communication flexibility is improved, but call source identification becomes unreliable
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the speed dial button system universal by enabling each button to associate with multiple phone numbers, including primary and alternate numbers. This multi-functionality allows the system to handle various calling scenarios (direct calls, alternate number calls, forwarded calls) with a single unified mechanism, maintaining both flexibility and identification reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary association of multiple phone numbers with speed dial buttons during the setup phase. By pre-configuring the relationships between primary numbers, alternate numbers, and speed dial buttons, the system is prepared to reliably identify call sources regardless of which number is actually used, eliminating the need for complex real-time analysis.
4Ease of operation
If visual indicators are added to speed dial buttons for call identification, then user convenience is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the visual indication function with the existing speed dial button structure. Rather than adding separate complex indicator systems, the invention integrates illumination capabilities directly into the speed dial buttons themselves, combining the identification function with the existing dialing interface and minimizing additional system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a method includes obtaining information relating to a first telephone number, and determining whether the first telephone number corresponds to a first speed dial button on a device. The first speed dial button is highlighted if the first telephone number corresponds to the first speed dial button. If the first telephone number does not correspond to the first speed dial button, the method also includes determining whether the first telephone number is associated with a second telephone number, determining whether the second telephone number corresponds to the first speed dial button if the first telephone number is associated with the second telephone number, and highlighting the first speed dial button when it is determined that the second telephone number corresponds to the first speed dial button.