Virtual Meeting Switching for Audio-Only Call Continuity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems fail to seamlessly transition audio-only callers in telephone calls to virtual meetings, leading to missed conversations during the switching process.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that detects a request to switch a telephone call to a virtual meeting, transmits a message to the audio-only caller's device, and connects it to the virtual meeting while maintaining the telephone call as an audio channel, using switching software to identify and authenticate the caller based on installed client applications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If audio-only callers are switched from telephone calls to virtual meetings using existing systems, then the callers can access virtual meeting functionalities, but the callers experience interrupted audio connection and missed conversations during switching

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to virtual meeting functionalitiesVSAvoidaudio connection continuity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the telephone call audio channel with the virtual meeting audio channel by maintaining the existing telephone call as an audio channel within the virtual meeting. This integration allows audio-only callers to remain on the telephone call while simultaneously participating in the virtual meeting without experiencing audio interruption or connection loss during the transition.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a switching software component that acts as an intermediary between the telephone call system and the virtual meeting system. This intermediary detects the request to switch, authenticates the audio-only caller, and facilitates the seamless transition by maintaining the telephone call as an audio channel while connecting the caller to the virtual meeting, thus preventing audio disruption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If switching software is implemented to detect and authenticate audio-only callers for seamless transition, then the audio connection continuity is maintained, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaudio connection continuityVSAvoidswitching software authentication mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service authentication by utilizing the existing telephone call infrastructure and caller identification mechanisms to authenticate audio-only callers. The switching software leverages the telephone network's inherent authentication capabilities rather than requiring separate complex authentication systems, thereby maintaining security while minimizing additional system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If audio-only callers are connected to virtual meetings while maintaining telephone call as audio channel, then the callers experience seamless transition without interruption, but the device complexity for implementing the connection increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseamless transition experienceVSAvoidconnection implementation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies multi-functionality by designing the switching software to handle multiple scenarios: detecting requests from audio-only callers, authenticating them using existing telephone infrastructure, maintaining the telephone call as an audio channel, and connecting callers to virtual meetings. This universal approach consolidates multiple functions into a single system component, reducing overall implementation complexity while ensuring seamless transitions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250358370A1Message-Based Device Connections To A Virtual Meeting

Publication Date: 2025.11.20 ZOOM COMMUNICATIONS INC

AI summary

A telephone call is elevated to a virtual meeting while maintaining the telephone call as an audio channel of the virtual meeting for an audio-only caller. During a telephone call, one of the participants of the telephone call requests to switch the telephone call to a virtual meeting. To enable an audio-only caller participating in the telephone call to switch to the virtual meeting, a message is transmitted to the phone device of the audio-only caller. Responsive to an interaction with the message at the phone device, the phone device is connected to the virtual meeting in which the telephone call is maintained as the audio channel at least for the audio-only caller. The specific form and content of the message is based on whether a client application associated with a web service used to implement the virtual meeting is installed on the phone device.