Visual Telephony via PSTN Number Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication systems, particularly the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), lack the ability to seamlessly integrate visual information and interactive content during voice calls, leading to a frustrating experience for consumers who need to navigate websites or describe products over the phone, as existing solutions require specialized equipment and bypass the PSTN.
Innovation Solution
The Telex apparatus enables visual telephony by detecting predefined visual content associated with dialed numbers at the access network level, allowing any phone to initiate a visual telephony session without specialized equipment, using a hosted toll-free number to preserve telephony identifiers and provide synchronized visual content on standard display devices like computers or phones.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If IP-based video services are used to provide visual interaction, then visual content can be displayed, but the system bypasses the PSTN and requires specialized equipment and Internet access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables standard telephones to perform both traditional voice communication and visual content delivery by integrating with existing PSTN infrastructure. The system allows any phone to initiate a visual telephony session without specialized equipment by detecting predefined visual content associated with dialed numbers at the access network level
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary system that sits between the PSTN and visual content delivery infrastructure. This intermediary detects telephony identifiers preserved in the PSTN network and automatically retrieves and displays associated visual content, bridging the gap between traditional telephony and modern visual services without requiring end-user equipment changes
2Reliability
If consumers use the Internet to access visual information in real time, then visual content is robust, but the content is not synchronized to the automated telephone application nor visible to a sales agent
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the system continuously monitors the state of both the telephony application and visual content delivery. Telephony attributes detected in the network trigger corresponding visual content updates, ensuring synchronization between audio/visual streams and automated telephone applications. The system also enables agents to view the same visual content as customers, creating coordinated multi-party interaction
Solution Approach 2:
The patent pre-associates visual content with telephony identifiers (such as telephone numbers) before calls are initiated. When a call is placed, the system has already prepared the relevant visual content, enabling immediate synchronized display without requiring real-time processing or manual navigation during the conversation
3Loss of information
If a sales agent verbally instructs the consumer to click to the relevant section of the merchant's website, then the consumer can see the product, but the experience becomes frustrating and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the telephony system to automatically perform the function of navigating to and displaying relevant visual content without human intervention. The system detects the telephony identifier, automatically retrieves the associated visual content from predefined associations, and displays it to the consumer. This self-service capability eliminates the need for agents to verbally guide consumers through website navigation, as the system autonomously presents the relevant product information
Data Source
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AI summary
A visual telephony apparatus, system and method are provided. In one embodiment, the visual telephony method includes a method implemented using a processor, the method including the steps of: detecting at least one telephony attribute associated with a voice call directed from a voice communication device to a publicly switched telephone network number; identifying a visual content that has been preassociated with the at least one telephony attribute; initiating a request for the visual content in response to the detecting step; and receiving the visual content in response to the initiating step, the visual content being received at a display device.