Gateway for Integrating Video Calls in Call Centers

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing call centers face challenges in integrating video calls due to differences in signaling protocols, infrastructure, and lack of native support for audio-video streams, requiring substantial modifications and additional resources, which are costly and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A system that allows transparent integration of video calls into traditional call centers using existing infrastructure by employing modular, easily configurable devices with multimedia units and routing centers that manage both voice and video calls concurrently, using protocols like SIP and XMPP, and applications like Jabber clients, without requiring significant changes to the call center structure.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If video call systems are integrated into traditional call centers, then service quality and customer satisfaction are improved, but device complexity and infrastructure requirements worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice qualityVSAvoidinfrastructure requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A gateway device is introduced as an intermediary between the video call system and the traditional call center infrastructure. The gateway translates video call protocols into traditional telephony protocols, enabling integration without requiring complex modifications to either system. This mediator handles protocol conversion, call routing, and coordination between the two different systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The gateway device is designed to handle multiple functions: it manages both voice and video calls, performs protocol translation between different standards, routes calls to appropriate operators, and provides call management capabilities. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise require separate specialized systems.

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If substantial modifications are made to existing call centers to support video calls, then video call management capability is improved, but cost and implementation difficulty worsen

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevideo call management capabilityVSAvoidcost and implementation difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The video call integration functionality is segmented into a separate gateway device rather than being built into the core call center infrastructure. This allows the call center to maintain its existing structure while adding video capability through a modular component that can be independently configured, deployed, and maintained.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The gateway acts as a mediator that enables video call management without requiring modifications to the existing call center system. It translates video call requests into formats that the traditional call center can handle, preserving the existing infrastructure while adding new functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If additional resources and staff are hired to manage video calls, then video call service capability is improved, but operational cost worsens

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevideo call service capabilityVSAvoidoperational cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The gateway device is designed to handle both voice and video calls with the same resource pool. Operators trained for voice calls can seamlessly handle video calls through the gateway, which manages the technical aspects of video streaming and protocol conversion. This eliminates the need for separate staff dedicated solely to video calls.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The gateway combines video call management functions with the existing call center operations. By merging video and voice call handling into a single integrated system, the call center can utilize existing staff, hardware, and procedures for both types of calls, maximizing resource utilization and minimizing additional costs.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS9516265B2System for integrating video calls in telephone call centers
Publication Date: 2016.12.06 XENIALAB SRL
  • US9516265B2 patent drawing
  • US9516265B2 patent drawing
  • US9516265B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A communication system particularly for managing voice, video and data services between the station of an operator and the station of a user, the system including at least one device controlled by the operator to receive telephone calls forwarded by a call routing center and at least one unit that is controlled by the user and provided with elements for entering and displaying information and generating telephone calls. The device further includes elements for disabling the audio component of a telephone call generated by the at least one unit and elements for establishing with the unit a video call associated with the telephone call.