Telephone System Single Number Active Standby Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication systems require multiple telephone numbers for each device, leading to user inconvenience and increased numbers, which can result in memory overload and inefficient call management, as well as lack of privacy in call forwarding and location services.
Innovation Solution
A system where a defined subgroup of inter-dependent telephone devices shares a single active calling number, allowing on-the-fly redirection between devices using a Personal Identification Number (PIN) or switch, enabling seamless call management and privacy by having only one device active at a time while others are in standby mode.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If each telephone device is assigned a separate telephone number, then call management and device identification are simplified, but the number of calling numbers increases substantially, leading to user memory overload and potential exhaustion of available numbers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple telephone devices under a single shared telephone number, allowing multiple devices (home phone, cell phone, work phone) to be associated with one common number. This eliminates the need for users to remember multiple separate numbers for different devices while maintaining the ability to identify and manage individual devices within the group.
2Adaptability or versatility
If call forwarding is used to locate a person across multiple devices, then reachability is improved, but the caller stays on the line for a long period and requires each phone to have call forwarding capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-establishing a group association between multiple telephone devices and a shared number before any call occurs. When a call is made to the shared number, the system automatically routes it to the appropriate device based on pre-configured availability settings, eliminating the need for real-time call forwarding and keeping-line waiting.
3Quantity of substance
If multiple telephone devices are assigned the same telephone number, then the number of calling numbers is reduced, but privacy on the communication line is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication system into two distinct layers: a public layer with a single shared telephone number for external calls, and a private layer with individual device identifiers and availability settings. This segmentation allows the system to maintain privacy by controlling which device is active or available at any given time while still using a single public number, thus protecting user privacy without requiring multiple public numbers.
Data Source
AI summary
A telephone communication system has at least two telephones and each telephone may be placed in activated mode or in the alternative, stand-by mode such that in stand-by mode a phone is incapable of making or receiving a call until or unless switched to active mode. The system includes a switch configured to activate one of the telephone to be an active mode telephone such that all remaining telephones are on standby mode prior to making an outgoing call or taking an incoming call. The system is configured such that a standby telephone may be switched to active mode during a telephone call on-the-fly.