Telephony Client Managing Multiple Line Call Origination
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Users with multiple businesses or roles often need to carry multiple computing devices due to each device being associated with a different phone number, which is cumbersome and wasteful, especially when roaming and incurring long distance charges.
Innovation Solution
A telephony client software application that enables multiple line call origination and termination on a single computing device by allowing users to select and use additional phone numbers, switching between cellular and over-the-top (OTT) modes to avoid long distance charges, and modifying call records to appear as if calls are originating from a different number.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a user carries multiple computing devices for multiple phone numbers, then the user can terminate and originate calls for all lines, but the user incurs long distance charges and experiences device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple phone number capabilities into a single computing device by implementing a telephony client that manages multiple lines. This allows the device to terminate and originate calls for multiple phone numbers without requiring separate devices for each number, directly resolving the contradiction between versatility and device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The telephony client provides universal functionality by enabling a single computing device to handle multiple phone numbers and their associated call termination and origination. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for dedicated devices for each phone number while maintaining full call management capabilities
2Adaptability or versatility
If a user carries multiple computing devices for multiple phone numbers, then the user can terminate and originate calls for all lines, but the user incurs long distance charges when roaming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a network server as an intermediary that routes calls through the user's home network rather than directly through roaming networks. When a user travels, incoming calls are routed to the home network server which then forwards them to the user's device via available data connections, avoiding traditional roaming voice charges and long distance fees
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional voice call routing mechanisms with data network-based communication. By using internet data connections (WiFi, mobile data) instead of traditional cellular voice networks for call routing, the system avoids roaming voice charges and long distance fees while maintaining call functionality
Data Source
AI summary
In some implementations, a computing device may determine a location of the computing device. The computing device may have an associated first phone number. The computing device may determine that the location of the computing device is outside a geographic area in which a carrier associated with the first phone number provides service. The computing device may send a registration request to a local network indicating that the computing device is operating in an over the top mode. The computing device may originate an outgoing call from the computing device. The outgoing call appears to a called party to originate from a second phone number that is different from the first phone number.