VoIP Phone Scheduling Access via Intermediary Server
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Solution Overview
Problem
Professionals face challenges in accessing their scheduling information on the go due to the lack of synchronization between PC-based calendar applications and smartphones or PDAs, leading to wasted time and potential missed meetings.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that allows users to access their scheduling information through a VoIP phone by logging into a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phone system using their extension number and passcode, which retrieves and displays scheduling information from a message server, including meetings, appointments, and contacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If professionals use PC-based calendar applications, then scheduling information is stored and managed, but they must return to their desk and login to access it, resulting in time loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a messaging system as an intermediary between the PC-based calendar application and the professional. The calendar information is pushed to the professional's mobile device through this messaging intermediary, allowing access without returning to the desk. The system retrieves calendar data from the PC application and delivers it via text message or email to the professional's mobile device.
2Adaptability or versatility
If companies provide smartphones or PDAs to employees, then mobile access is enabled, but these devices are not synced with work PC-based calendar applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system continuously monitors the PC-based calendar application for changes and automatically pushes updated scheduling information to the mobile device. When a calendar event is created, modified, or deleted on the PC, the system detects this change and sends an updated message to the professional's mobile device, ensuring real-time synchronization without requiring manual updates or complex sync protocols.
3Loss of information
If professionals manually copy meetings to a paper agenda, then they have a physical record, but electronic changes cannot be reflected in real-time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical process of manually copying calendar information to a paper agenda with an automated electronic messaging system. Instead of physically transcribing meeting details, the system electronically retrieves data from the PC calendar application and delivers it via text message or email to the mobile device. This substitution eliminates manual copying while maintaining real-time update capability through automated electronic communication.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for accessing scheduling information. In one illustrative embodiment, a user can log into a phone system by entering their extension number and passcode, which allows the phone to assume their profile. The user then enters the credentials required to access their PC based calendar information, which is stored by a server application. The server application can look up the scheduling information that is stored in the user's PC based calendar application on a message server. The information can then be provided to the phone by the server application where it is displayed. Application programming interfaces can facilitate communications between the phone and the server application and the server application and the message server. Other information located on the message server can also be retrieved through the server application and is not limited to scheduling information.