Enterprise Switchboard Caller ID via Intermediary Information Device

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Solution Overview

Problem

In current enterprise communication systems, users of called terminals cannot identify the real calling user when a call is initiated through an enterprise switchboard, leading to poor user experience as they cannot call back or recognize the caller.

Innovation Solution

The system keeps a call record including the number of the calling terminal, allowing the called terminal to obtain and display the calling terminal's number, enabling users to identify and call back the caller.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If the enterprise switchboard displays the switchboard number as the calling number, then the call routing function is achieved, but the called terminal user cannot identify the real calling user

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecalling user identification informationVSAvoidcall record storage and query system
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an information device as an intermediary component between the enterprise switchboard and the called terminal. This information device stores call records containing real calling user information and provides this information to the called terminal upon request, thereby resolving the information loss without requiring fundamental changes to the existing switchboard architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary action by storing call record information in advance at the information device before the called terminal needs to identify the caller. When a call occurs, the information is already prepared and can be retrieved immediately, avoiding the need for complex real-time processing during the call.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If the called terminal displays the switchboard number, then the call can be routed correctly, but the user cannot call back the calling terminal

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecallback functionalityVSAvoidcalling terminal number
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The information device serves as a mediator that provides the called terminal with the real calling terminal number stored in call records. This enables the called terminal to display the correct number for callback while maintaining proper call routing through the enterprise switchboard.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback by having the called terminal query the information device for calling user information after receiving the call, then display this information to enable callback. This feedback loop restores the lost information and enables the desired operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Reliability

If the system stores and queries call records, then the calling user information can be provided, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser experienceVSAvoidinformation device and call record management
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By introducing an independent information device as an intermediary, the patent separates the call record storage function from the switchboard and terminal. This modular approach improves reliability for user experience while containing the complexity increase to a dedicated component rather than distributing it throughout the entire system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3432558B1Communication method, apparatus and system
Publication Date: 2022.05.11 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3432558B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2C
  • EP3432558B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3432558B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

The present invention provides a communication method, apparatus, and system. The system includes a first terminal, a second terminal, and an information device. The first terminal is configured to send a call request to the second terminal by using an enterprise switchboard in an enterprise network. The information device is configured to: keep a call record corresponding to the call request; obtain calling side information (including a number of the calling terminal) from the call record when receiving a query request sent by the second terminal; and send the calling side information to the second terminal. The second terminal is configured to: send the first query request after receiving the call request, and display the calling side information. According to embodiments of the present invention, when the calling terminal calls a called terminal by using the enterprise switchboard, the called terminal can obtain the number of the calling terminal corresponding to the current call and display the number of the calling terminal. Therefore, a user of the called terminal can identify a real calling user based on the number, and user experience is better.