Unified Presence Server for Shared Communication Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication systems lack the ability to determine the availability of users on shared communication devices, as they rely on presence applications that are primarily suited for personal devices and do not account for multiple users or devices without presence capabilities, such as landline telephones.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that retrieve and supply information on user availability by obtaining presence information from various communication devices, including those without presence applications, through a database that stores association data, allowing for determination of which users are available on a shared device and on which devices specific users can be reached.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If presence applications are used to determine user availability, then real-time presence information can be obtained, but the system becomes complex and cannot support shared communication devices without presence capabilities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary that collects presence information from multiple communication devices and provides unified presence data for shared devices. The server acts as a mediator between the caller and the shared communication device, consolidating presence information from multiple users without requiring each device to implement complex presence applications independently.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides a universal presence determination mechanism that works across different types of communication devices (mobile phones with presence capabilities and landline phones without presence capabilities). The solution makes the presence determination system multi-functional by supporting both presence-capable and non-presence-capable devices through a common architecture.
2Reliability
If personal communication devices with presence applications are used, then user availability can be determined, but shared communication devices cannot be supported
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal presence determination system that functions across both personal communication devices with presence applications and shared communication devices without presence capabilities. The server-based architecture provides multi-functionality by handling presence information from presence-capable devices while also supporting non-presence-capable devices through alternative presence determination methods.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a virtual presence representation for shared communication devices by collecting and consolidating presence information from multiple users. This copying approach allows the shared device to have a presence status that reflects the aggregated availability of its associated users, even though the shared device itself may not have native presence capabilities.
3Device complexity
If callers use personal knowledge to determine user availability, then no additional system complexity is introduced, but the accuracy and reliability of availability information is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where presence information is continuously collected from communication devices and updated on the server. This feedback loop ensures that availability information is current and accurate, allowing callers to make informed decisions about which users are available. The system automatically updates presence status based on real-time device states rather than relying on outdated personal knowledge.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of determining information relating to one or more users of one or more communication devices in a communication system comprising receiving a request for information, retrieving data relating to an association between communication devices and users identified in the request, obtaining presence information relating to communication devices in the communication system, and supplying the information, the information being determined in part on the obtained presence information and in part on the retrieved association data.