Unified Call Management in Collaboration Sessions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional collaboration systems do not enable users to manage calls, such as telephone calls, conveniently within a collaboration session, often requiring users to leave the session and use separate devices or applications.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method and system that receive a call into a collaboration session, identify the relevant user based on contextual information, and provide an interface on their device to handle the call within the session, allowing users to instruct their device to manage the call without leaving the collaboration environment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If users leave the collaboration session to handle calls using separate devices or applications, then call management capability is improved, but user convenience and system integration are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecall management capabilityVSAvoiduser convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges call management functionality directly into the collaboration session interface. The system integrates telephony capabilities with the existing collaboration environment, allowing users to receive, answer, and manage calls without switching applications or leaving the session. This is achieved by implementing a unified interface that displays both collaboration content and call controls together.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The collaboration session system is enhanced to perform multiple functions simultaneously - it maintains collaboration capabilities while also providing call management features. The system acts as both a collaboration platform and a telephony interface, eliminating the need for separate dedicated call handling applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If users leave the collaboration session to handle calls, then call handling functionality is improved, but productivity and time efficiency are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecall handling functionalityVSAvoidtime efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system prepares call management interfaces and controls within the collaboration session before calls arrive. By having the call management infrastructure pre-integrated into the session environment, users can immediately handle calls without needing to transition to other applications, thus saving time and maintaining productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

By combining collaboration and call handling into a single integrated interface, the system eliminates the time loss associated with switching between applications. Users remain in the same environment for both collaboration activities and call management, maintaining workflow continuity and improving overall productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If separate devices or applications are used for call management, then call management capability is improved, but device complexity and operational cost are worsened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecall management capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The collaboration session system is designed to serve multiple purposes - it functions as both a collaboration platform and a call management system. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated devices or applications, thereby simplifying the overall system architecture and reducing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines previously separate functions (collaboration and call management) into a single integrated system. This merging eliminates the need for multiple separate applications or devices, reducing system complexity while maintaining full call management capabilities within the unified interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS11677869B2System and method for managing calls

Publication Date: 2023.06.13 RINGCENTRAL INC

AI summary

A computer-implemented method for managing calls in a collaboration environment is provided. The method includes receiving, by a processor, a call into a collaboration session of the collaboration environment. The method also includes identifying, by the processor, a user from a plurality of users associated with the collaboration session, based on at least one of contextual information regarding the call and information regarding the plurality of users. The method further includes providing, by the processor, an interface on a device associated with the identified user, wherein the interface enables the identified user to instruct the device to handle the call within the collaboration session.