Voice Call Audio Attachment via Code Trigger

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current voice communication services over circuit-based networks do not allow users to reuse information by adding attachments to voice calls, requiring repeated verbal transmission of information during multiple calls.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that enables users to add audio files as attachments to voice calls by entering a code, which triggers the playback of these files during active calls, utilizing a file server and switching system to manage and play the files over the circuit-based network.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If users speak information repeatedly during multiple voice calls, then the information can be conveyed to multiple called parties, but the time and effort required for transmission increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation transmission efficiencyVSAvoidtime spent repeating information

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system allows users to pre-record information once and store it in the network. During subsequent voice calls, users can reference this pre-recorded information by entering a code, and the network automatically plays the recorded file to the called party. This eliminates the need to re-speak the same information multiple times.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a digital copy of the user's spoken information and stores it as a file on the network. This copy can then be transmitted to multiple called parties during different calls without requiring the user to speak again, significantly reducing time and effort.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Adaptability or versatility

If the switching system plays files to the second station during an active voice call, then attachments can be added to the call, but communication between the first and second station is interrupted

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to add attachments to voice callsVSAvoidcontinuity of voice call communication

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The switching system has separate incoming and outgoing portions. The incoming portion receives codes from the first station, while the outgoing portion plays files to the second station. This segmentation allows file playback to occur without interfering with the incoming call signal path, maintaining call continuity while enabling attachment playback.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The switching system acts as an intermediary that manages multiple functions. It receives the code from the first station, retrieves the file from the file server, and plays it to the second station without interrupting the underlying voice call connection. The system mediates between the attachment playback function and the ongoing communication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS7835503B2Systems and methods of adding attachments to voice calls over a circuit-based network

Publication Date: 2010.11.16 WSOU INVESTMENTS LLC

AI summary

Systems and methods are disclosed for adding attachments to voice calls. A communication system for the invention includes a file server and a switching system of a circuit-based network. During a voice call connected between a first station and a second station over the circuit-based network, the switching system detects a code entered by the user of the first station. Responsive to detecting the code, the switching system transmits a query to the file server. The file server processes the query to locate one or more files stored in the file server. The file server then transmits the located file to the switching system. The switching system plays the file to the second station over the connection for the voice call.