Unified Call Control Across VoIP, PSTN, and Mobile Interfaces
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Users face inconvenience in managing multiple incoming calls across different telephone interfaces, such as VoIP, PSTN, and mobile devices, as they must physically switch devices or end current calls to answer new calls, especially when receiving simultaneous calls.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for round robin call control across multiple interfaces, allowing users to manage calls on VoIP, PSTN, and mobile devices with a single button press, enabling calls to be placed on hold and switched between in a circular manner using a headset, utilizing a loosely coupled call state machine and call control application to monitor and manage incoming calls across multiple interfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If users physically switch devices to answer incoming calls, then they can answer calls on different interfaces, but the operation becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple call interfaces (VoIP, PSTN, mobile) into a unified call management system. The call control application consolidates call handling across all interfaces, allowing users to answer calls on any interface from a single device without physically switching between multiple devices. This integration eliminates the need for users to manually switch devices while maintaining the ability to handle calls across different network types.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements a universal call control mechanism that works across multiple interfaces and device types. The call state machine and control application provide unified functionality for managing VoIP, PSTN, and mobile calls, allowing a single device to perform the function of multiple specialized devices. This multi-functional approach simplifies operation while maintaining comprehensive call handling capabilities.
2Productivity
If users end current calls to answer new incoming calls, then they can switch between calls, but call management becomes inefficient and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by maintaining call states and preparing incoming calls for rapid activation. When a user is on an active call and receives a new incoming call, the system already has the new call ready in its call state machine, waiting for user activation. This eliminates the need to terminate the current call before answering the new one, as both calls can coexist in the system's call management structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The call state machine dynamically manages multiple call states simultaneously, allowing transitions between different call conditions without requiring call termination. The system can dynamically switch between active and incoming calls based on user input, enabling efficient call management where users can answer incoming calls while maintaining existing calls without time loss.
3Ease of operation
If users ignore incoming calls to answer other calls, then they can manage multiple calls, but call control becomes inconvenient and calls may be forwarded to voicemail
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides continuous feedback to users about incoming calls through visual indicators on the device interface. When an incoming call arrives, the system notifies the user through the call control application, allowing them to see and understand the call status before acting. This feedback mechanism ensures users are aware of incoming calls and can deliberately choose how to handle them, preventing accidental call ignores and maintaining reliable call delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The call control system provides self-service functionality by automatically managing call states and presenting users with clear options for handling incoming calls. The system independently tracks call statuses, maintains call queues, and presents appropriate interfaces for users to answer or manage calls without requiring manual intervention or risking call loss. This automated self-service approach improves both ease of operation and call delivery reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatuses for call control are disclosed. In one example, methods and apparatuses for receiving communications associated with a monitoring of a first interface, a second interface, and a third interface for an incoming call. A current active call is placed in a bold queue, the hold queue configured to contain calls placed on hold received over the first interface, the second interface, and the third interface. Notification of a second user action to place the incoming call on a hold status is received. The incoming call is placed in the hold queue, a next call from the hold queue is retrieved, and the next call is activated.