Unified Communications Call Rerouting via Out-of-Band Transfer Server
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for rerouting communication in unified communications networks often require complex call forwarding rules or manual intervention, leading to inefficiencies and potential disruptions, and some endpoints lack the capability to redirect calls.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a transfer server that uses out-of-band signaling to reroute calls by determining a new destination number, dropping existing connections, and establishing new call legs, allowing seamless transfer without interrupting the communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If complex call forwarding rules are used for rerouting communication, then call routing capability is improved, but system complexity increases and manual intervention is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a transfer server as an intermediary component that handles call transfer operations. This server receives transfer requests from call destinations, determines new destination numbers, and sends out-of-band transfer requests to routing servers. By centralizing the transfer logic in this intermediary server, the system avoids distributing complex routing rules across multiple endpoints, thereby reducing overall system complexity while maintaining versatile call routing capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual intervention mechanisms with automated out-of-band signaling. Instead of requiring manual configuration of call forwarding rules at endpoints, the system uses automated transfer requests transmitted through the transfer server. This substitution of manual mechanical operations with automated signaling protocols reduces operational complexity and enables more flexible call routing decisions.
2Measurement precision
If manual intervention is used for call transfer, then control precision is improved, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service call transfer by enabling call destinations to automatically generate and send transfer requests to the transfer server without requiring manual intervention. The system autonomously processes the transfer by having the transfer server determine new destination numbers and transmit out-of-band transfer requests to routing servers. This self-service mechanism maintains precise control over call routing while dramatically reducing the time required compared to manual operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs preliminary action by having the transfer server determine the new destination number before executing the actual call transfer. The transfer server receives the transfer request, determines the appropriate new destination number in advance, and then transmits the out-of-band transfer request to the routing server. This preliminary determination of routing parameters enables faster execution of the transfer operation, reducing overall time consumption while maintaining control precision.
3Device complexity
If endpoints without transfer capability handle calls, then device simplicity is improved, but call rerouting capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the transfer server as an intermediary that compensates for the lack of transfer capability at simple endpoints. Endpoints remain simple without embedded transfer logic, but the transfer server mediates the transfer process by receiving transfer requests from these simple endpoints, determining new destination numbers, and coordinating the actual call rerouting through out-of-band signaling to routing servers. This mediator architecture enables call rerouting capability while maintaining endpoint simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universality by designing a system where the transfer server provides transfer functionality to all endpoints regardless of their individual capabilities. Both simple endpoints without transfer capability and complex endpoints with native transfer capability can utilize the same transfer server infrastructure. This multi-functional approach ensures that call rerouting capability is universally available while allowing endpoints to maintain their simplicity.
4Ease of operation
If in-band signaling is used for call transfer, then integration with call flow is improved, but disruption to communication increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the signaling process into two separate channels: in-band signaling for call setup and out-of-band signaling for call transfer. The in-band signaling maintains tight integration with the call flow by using standard SIP messages within the existing call path. The out-of-band transfer requests are sent separately through the transfer server to routing servers, allowing transfer operations to occur independently of the media flow. This segmentation enables both good integration and minimal disruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from two-dimensional in-band signaling (where control and media share the same path) to three-dimensional signaling architecture by adding an out-of-band dimension. The out-of-band transfer requests travel through a separate dimension (the transfer server) independent of the media flow path. This dimensional separation allows transfer operations to be performed without interrupting the ongoing media communication, thereby maintaining reliability while preserving integration through the out-of-band channel.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for rerouting communication in a unified communications network is disclosed. The method includes receiving an inbound call at a first session border controller and determining a redirect number mapped to the inbound call number. The inbound call can be routed to a first call destination based on the redirect number. During the inbound call, a transfer request may be received from a server associated with the first call destination, and a new destination number may be determined for transferring the inbound call. An out-of-band transfer request may be transmitted to one or more servers maintaining the inbound call, and one or more connections associated with the inbound call to the first call destination may be dropped based on the out-of-band transfer request. The inbound call may then be rerouted to a second call destination based on the new destination number identified in the out-of-band transfer request.