Instant Messaging Voicemail Interface for Caller Ergonomics

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current voice messaging systems are ergonomically suboptimal for callers, requiring them to use DTMF commands to manage messages, and lack advanced features available to recipients, such as visual voicemail and personalized welcome announcements.

Innovation Solution

A method where a personalized message is sent to the caller's terminal via an instant messaging protocol, allowing local recording and sending of voice messages without needing a voice communication with a voice mail system, and providing alternative contact methods based on the recipient's reachability criteria, such as time, location, or presence status.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If traditional voicemail systems are used, then the recipient can receive messages, but the caller must use DTMF commands which is ergonomically suboptimal

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecaller ergonomicsVSAvoidmessage management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical DTMF keypad input system with a graphical user interface system. The calling terminal displays a graphical interface that allows users to interact with message management through visual elements rather than mechanical keypad entries, significantly improving ergonomics and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary graphical interface layer between the caller and the voicemail system. This interface mediates the interaction by providing user-friendly visual controls that translate user actions into appropriate message management commands, eliminating the need for direct DTMF code entry.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If visual voicemail is implemented for recipients, then access is improved, but callers still lack equivalent access options

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemessage access optionsVSAvoidcaller interaction capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements universality by providing the calling terminal with multiple functional capabilities: displaying incoming messages, recording voice messages, managing existing messages, and initiating calls. This multi-functional interface gives callers parity with recipients in terms of message access options, making the system adaptable to various user needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the message management functionality into distinct modular components within the calling terminal interface. Each function (displaying messages, recording, managing, calling) is separated into independent interface elements, allowing users to access specific capabilities as needed without overwhelming complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If callers must hang up or leave a message when recipient is unavailable, then the system is simple, but the caller has no choice and ergonomics are poor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecaller choiceVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic adaptability by allowing the calling terminal to automatically adjust its behavior based on recipient availability. The system can dynamically switch between different interaction modes (leaving a message, initiating a call, or displaying alternative contact methods) based on real-time status information, giving callers choices without requiring complex manual configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3688974B1Method for managing a failure to establish a communication between a first and a second terminal

Publication Date: 2023.01.11 ORANGE SA

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AI summary

The invention concerns a method for managing a communication between a calling terminal and a called terminal in the event that it is impossible to reach a called terminal during an attempt to establish a communication according to a first mode, the method comprising the steps of: receiving a message comprising an identifier associated with the called terminal and an indication according to which the communication cannot be established; obtaining, from identifiers associated with the calling terminal and the called terminal, a host card comprising at least one piece of information relating to the reachability of the user of the called terminal; transmitting, according to an instant messaging protocol, the obtained response message to the calling terminal, the host card being configured to allow the triggering of a communication according to a mode that is distinct from the first mode. The invention also concerns a device capable of implementing such a method.