Visual Dial-Tone Indicator for IP Terminals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile and PC terminals in IP-based telecommunications systems do not provide audible dial tone information, making users unaware of conditions such as new voice-mail messages or active call forwarding rules, as these systems lack the traditional dial tone generation and network-provided dial-tone information.
Innovation Solution
A user terminal and Application Server configuration that displays a graphical user interface to indicate the current dial-tone condition, using dial-tone information from the PSTN Emulation Subsystem format, allowing users to register and receive updates on dial-tone status, including normal, special, and message-waiting conditions, even when no audible dial tone is generated.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If mobile terminals and PC clients are used in IP-based telecommunications systems, then device versatility and adaptability are improved, but the ability to provide audible dial tone information is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a graphical user interface as an intermediary between the network's dial tone information and the user. The GUI translates audible dial tone conditions into visual representations that can be displayed on mobile terminals and PC clients, which cannot generate traditional audible dial tones. This mediator preserves the information transfer while adapting to the capabilities of modern IP-based terminals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the acoustic/mechanical dial tone system with a visual electronic display system. Instead of using audible signals that require speakers and sound processing, the system uses graphical user interface elements to convey the same information about call conditions, message waiting status, and forwarding rules to users of mobile terminals and PC clients.
2Ease of operation
If dial tone information is provided only through audible signals, then information delivery is simple, but user awareness of special conditions is lost in terminals without audio output
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions the dial tone information from the auditory dimension to the visual dimension. By displaying graphical indicators on the screen, the system provides the same functional information about call conditions in a different sensory modality that is equally effective and accessible to all terminal types, including those without audio capabilities.
3Reliability
If traditional PSTN dial tone systems are used, then dial tone information is reliably conveyed, but the system cannot support modern IP-based terminals and PC soft clients
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal interface that works across multiple terminal types. The graphical user interface can be implemented on mobile terminals, PC clients, and softphone applications, providing consistent dial tone information display functionality regardless of the specific device. This multi-functional approach maintains reliability while extending compatibility to modern IP-based terminals.
Data Source
AI summary
In one aspect, a user terminal is configured to access an IMS network, and to obtain from the network an indication of a current dial-tone condition of the terminal. The terminal displays a graphical user-interface, GUI, that includes a visual indication of the current dial-tone condition of the terminal. In another aspect Application Server function in an IMS network is configured to provide information to a user terminal regarding a current dial-tone condition such that the user terminal is able to display an indication of the current dial-tone also known as call progress tone. Examples given in the application are dial-tone aka ring-back tone, message waiting tone and tones indicating that the user has activated call forwarding unconditional or call diversion. In another aspect a method of enabling a user of a user terminal accessing an IMS network to be informed of a current dial-tone condition of the user terminal includes: providing the user terminal with information regarding the current dial-tone condition; and, based on the obtained information, displaying the current dial-tone condition on a graphical user-interface on the user terminal.