Urgent Call Lockout Mechanism for Communication Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
In a world where communication devices are increasingly used for multiple tasks and mobility, there is a challenge in ensuring that urgent calls are prioritized and non-urgent calls are effectively blocked, leading to missed opportunities for communication, especially in situations where the called party is unavailable.
Innovation Solution
A method and computer program product that allow users to identify urgent calls by inputting an alert code or using voice commands, which blocks non-urgent incoming calls and provides distinct ring tones for urgent calls, ensuring that urgent communications are prioritized.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a user places multiple calls to different contacts when a called party is unavailable, then the calling party can obtain needed information or assistance, but the calling party may miss incoming return calls from the called party
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by establishing an urgent call status before the called party becomes unavailable. When a call is placed to a contacted party and they are unavailable, the system automatically sets the call status as urgent and configures the calling device to block non-urgent incoming calls. This preliminary setup ensures that when the called party becomes available, their return call will be immediately recognized and allowed through, preventing the calling party from missing important communications while they are occupied with other tasks.
2Ease of operation
If voicemail is used to handle missed calls, then the calling party can leave a message, but the communication remains one-way and does not satisfy the need to talk
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by automatically detecting when a called party becomes available and initiating a return call to the calling party. The calling device monitors the call status and, upon detecting availability, automatically places a return call without requiring manual intervention. This feedback mechanism transforms the one-way voicemail communication into a two-way conversation, ensuring that both parties can speak directly and that no important information is lost.
3Productivity
If a user spends increasing time on multiple tasks on their telephone, then productivity increases, but the user is more likely to miss incoming calls
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides self-service by automatically managing call prioritization without requiring manual user intervention. The calling device autonomously determines which incoming calls are urgent based on the called party's availability status and automatically blocks non-urgent calls. This self-service mechanism allows the user to focus on multiple tasks with increased productivity while the system independently ensures that important calls are not missed, maintaining high call answer reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer program product includes computer readable program code embodied on a computer readable storage medium. The computer program product include computer readable program code for receiving input from a user of a first communication device identifying a second communication device and initiating a call to the second communication device, computer readable program code for receiving further input from the user of the first communication device indicating that an incoming call from the identified second communication device is an urgent call, and computer readable program code for, in response to receiving the further input from the user of the first communication device, blocking any incoming call that is not identified as an urgent call.