Universal Call Management Platform Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication devices and platforms do not seamlessly integrate across different technologies, making it challenging for users to access and manage various internet and non-internet based communication services.

Innovation Solution

A universal platform is introduced that enables integration between multiple communication platforms using a service manager, allowing for call management capabilities, such as call forwarding, screening, and international calling, by processing requests across different platforms and protocols.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate communication platforms are used, then users can access various communication services, but users cannot seamlessly integrate and manage communications across different platforms

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveplatform integration capabilityVSAvoidsystem architecture
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a gateway as an intermediary component that mediates between different communication platforms and the core network. The gateway translates and adapts communication protocols and data formats, enabling seamless integration between platforms without requiring direct complex interconnections. This resolves the contradiction by providing platform integration capability through a mediating layer that handles the complexity internally.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The core network is designed with universal, multi-functional components that can handle multiple types of communication services (voice, data, messaging) across different platforms. The service manager and call handling rules provide platform-agnostic control mechanisms that work uniformly across diverse communication systems, achieving versatility without proportionally increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If a universal platform integrates multiple communication services, then seamless communication across platforms is achieved, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication managementVSAvoidsystem architecture
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system is segmented into distinct functional modules: gateway layer for platform-specific protocols, core network layer for universal service management, and application layer for user-facing services. This segmentation allows complexity to be distributed and managed independently in each layer, achieving ease of operation at the user interface while containing system complexity in modular, manageable segments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The gateway acts as an intermediary that shields the core network from platform-specific complexities. By handling protocol translation and adaptation at the gateway layer, the core network maintains a simplified, universal architecture that is easier to operate and manage, while still supporting multiple communication platforms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If call management capabilities are added across multiple platforms, then communication flexibility improves, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring system state increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecall management flexibilityVSAvoidcall state tracking
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where call state information is continuously reported back to the service manager through standardized interfaces. Call handling rules and gateway components provide feedback on call status, enabling the system to detect and measure call states automatically. This feedback loop maintains call management flexibility while reducing the difficulty of tracking system state through automated information collection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2508036B1Universal call management platform
Publication Date: 2019.03.06 RINGCENTRAL INC
  • EP2508036B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2508036B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2508036B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Systems, methods and computer program products for enabling integration between various internet- or non-internet based communication services (e.g., as provided by different communications platforms and service providers) using a universal platform are described. In some implementations, a service manager is provided that can integrate call management capabilities with multiple communications platforms using the universal platform to enable seamless communication between the various platforms. For example, interactions between individual users on one or more platforms can be tracked in a single conversation history as a threaded interface. The universal platform can integrate with various platforms and third party protocols and services to provide call features that include, for example, call forwarding, call handling, multiple greeting prompts, call screening rules, ring-out rules, international calling, caller ID rules, after hours, and announcement prompts.