VoIP Device Guest User Profile Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is no convenient solution for a VoIP subscriber to initiate calls from a different user's terminal device while maintaining billing to their own account, especially when away from their fixed location.
Innovation Solution
A VoIP device is configured to support both a primary and a guest user, with dynamic registration and management of the guest user's parameters, allowing the guest user to make calls while being billed to their own account, using separate sets of VoIP parameters and access codes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a VoIP device is registered and provisioned with a single subscriber's parameters, then the device can be used by that subscriber at their fixed location, but the subscriber cannot conveniently initiate calls from a different user's terminal device while maintaining billing to their own account
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the VoIP parameters into distinct sets (first set for primary user, second set for guest user) that can be independently selected and applied. The system divides the parameter space by user type, allowing the device to store multiple parameter sets and switch between them based on authentication results, thereby enabling multi-user functionality without overwhelming complexity in parameter management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring multiple sets of VoIP parameters in the device before actual use. The device is provisioned with both the primary user's parameters and guest user parameters in advance, so that when a guest needs to use the device, the appropriate parameters are already available and can be quickly activated through authentication, eliminating the need for real-time parameter provisioning or complex runtime configuration.
2Ease of operation
If call forwarding is used to forward calls to a terminal device where the subscriber can be reached, then the subscriber can receive calls while away from their fixed location, but there is no solution for allowing the subscriber to initiate calls from another user's terminal device with billing going to the traveling subscriber
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism in the form of an access code system that mediates between the guest user, the device owner, and the network. The access code acts as a credential that enables the guest user to authenticate and initiate calls from the device while ensuring that the network can correctly identify and bill the guest user's account, thus maintaining billing accuracy while enabling convenient call initiation from another user's device.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes parameter changes by dynamically switching between different sets of VoIP parameters based on authentication. When a guest user successfully authenticates with the correct access code, the system changes the active parameters from the primary user's set to the guest user's set, allowing the device to function with the guest's billing identity while maintaining all necessary technical parameters for call establishment.
Data Source
AI summary
A VoIP device stores a first set of VoIP parameters downloaded from a VoIP network to support call signaling associated with a primary user. The primary user enables a guest set-up mode by storing a guest access code to be associated with the guest user. The guest user enters a code on the VoIP device which the VoIP device compares to the stored guest access code and activates a guest profile if a match is detected. A second set of VoIP parameters is downloaded from the VoIP network and stored as part of the guest profile on the VoIP device to support call signaling associated with the guest user. SIP signaling is initiated between the VoIP device and the VoIP network including the directory number of the guest user, whereby the directory number of the guest user is mapped by the VoIP network to the VoIP device of the primary user. When the primary user initiates a call from the VoIP device, then the call is initiated using the first set of VoIP parameters. When the guest user initiates a call from the VoIP device, then the call is initiated using the second set of VoIP parameters.