Voicemail Access via Busy-State Call Sequencing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solutions for accessing a recipient's voicemail are not universally applicable across different telephone operators due to hardware and software architecture differences, limiting their functionality.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a series of calls to a telephone line configured to forward calls to a voicemail, with predetermined delays to ensure the line is busy but not ringing, allowing direct access and automated message deposition on the voicemail without disturbing the recipient, using voice server software like Asterisk and Digium voice cards.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If computer means are used to directly access the storage space of voice messages through operator servers, then voicemail messages can be deposited for information or advertising, but the solution cannot work without adaptation for any telephone operator due to hardware and software architecture differences

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperator compatibilityVSAvoidsystem adaptation requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a intermediary system that uses standard telephone call protocols to access voicemail systems. Instead of directly connecting to operator-specific computer servers, the method uses a mediator approach where telephone calls are placed to the target number, and the system interacts with the voicemail through standard audio protocols. This intermediary layer abstracts away the underlying operator-specific hardware and software architectures, making the solution universally applicable across different telephone operators without requiring custom adaptation for each operator's system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If telephone calls are placed to the recipient's line to access voicemail, then direct access to the answering machine is achieved, but the recipient's telephone rings and disturbs them

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedirect voicemail accessVSAvoidrecipient disturbance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by first placing multiple calls to the target line to ensure the telephone is in a non-ringing state (either answered, on hold, or already busy). The system waits for a predetermined period to allow the telephone to transition to a state where it will not ring for incoming calls. Only after confirming the telephone is not going to ring does the system place the final call to access the voicemail. This preliminary preparation eliminates the harmful effect of disturbing the recipient while maintaining the ability to directly access the answering machine.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If multiple calls are placed with predetermined delays to ensure the line is busy, then direct access to answering machine is achieved, but the process requires precise timing control

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveanswering machine access successVSAvoidcall sequencing control
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs periodic action by placing a series of calls at predetermined time intervals. The system places multiple calls to the target line, waits for a specified delay period, and then places subsequent calls in a sequence. This periodic calling pattern increases the probability of successfully accessing the answering machine by ensuring the line is in the desired state (busy but not ringing). The predetermined delays and systematic sequencing provide reliable timing control that balances access success rates with manageable process complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP2355477B1Method for directly accessing a called party's voicemail and delivering a speech message on an answering machine
Publication Date: 2013.01.16 NEOCOM MULTIMEDIA
  • EP2355477B1 patent drawingFigure 1

AI summary

The invention avoids ringing the recipient's telephone and allows for the execution of voicemail messages. The method provides direct access to the voicemail of a telephone line configured to forward incoming calls to the voicemail system when the line is busy. It consists of executing the following steps: - a first group of calls is initiated to the target line, - a predetermined delay is waited, long enough to place the line in a busy state, - a new call is initiated to the line, - the calls of the first group are stopped after a second predetermined delay, longer than the first but short enough to prevent the telephone on the line from ringing. The computer program for implementing the method and the server hosting it are also protected.