Web-Based Phone System for Social Network Telephony
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing Internet telephony systems lack a universal, user-friendly method for making real-time phone calls across different platforms without requiring phone numbers and do not effectively integrate with social networking features, such as presence functionality and voicemail capabilities.
Innovation Solution
The Universal Internet Telephone System (UITS) enables real-time phone calls via a Web-based phone application on a Java-enabled device, allowing users to connect with social network friends without publishing phone numbers, with features like auto-populated phonebooks, presence indicators, and voicemail capabilities, using Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) for call setup and a proprietary VoIP network for call management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a Web-based phone application is used for Internet telephony, then ease of operation and accessibility across platforms is improved, but device complexity and integration with existing telephony systems worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses a universal Web-based phone application that can operate across multiple platforms (desktop computers, laptops, mobile devices) without requiring platform-specific software installations. The application provides unified telephony functionality including voice calls, video calls, messaging, and conferencing through a single Web interface, making it universally accessible while simplifying user operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a Session Border Controller (SBC) as an intermediary component that mediates between the Web-based phone application and existing telephony networks (PSTN, IP networks). The SBC handles protocol conversion, signal routing, and network management, thereby isolating the complexity from both the user interface and existing systems while enabling seamless integration.
2Adaptability or versatility
If social networking integration is added to the telephone system, then adaptability and user experience are improved, but device complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges social networking functionalities (friend connections, presence information, messaging) with telephony features into a unified platform. Users can initiate calls directly from their social network contacts, see real-time presence status, and integrate social interactions with voice/video communications, thereby enhancing adaptability without requiring separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The Web-based phone application serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a social networking platform for connecting with friends, a communication tool for voice and video calls, a messaging system, and a conferencing platform. This multi-functionality increases adaptability while maintaining a single unified interface rather than requiring multiple separate applications.
3Productivity
If real-time communication features are implemented, then productivity and user experience are improved, but use of energy and system resources worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic presence status updates rather than continuous real-time monitoring. The Web-based phone application checks for user availability, online status, and device state at scheduled intervals, allowing real-time communication capabilities while reducing the continuous energy consumption associated with constant system monitoring and active connections.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses software-based virtual phone interfaces and simulated telephony environments rather than requiring dedicated hardware for each function. The Web application creates virtual call sessions, messages, and conferencing environments through software emulation, reducing the physical energy consumption of dedicated communication hardware while maintaining full real-time functionality.
4Adaptability or versatility
If voicemail and non-real-time communication features are added, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The same Web-based phone application handles both real-time communications (voice calls, video calls) and non-real-time features (voicemail, asynchronous messaging) through a unified interface. Users can access voicemail boxes, leave messages, and check communications regardless of real-time availability, all through the single Web application without requiring separate systems for different communication modes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces a message routing intermediary that manages different communication modes (real-time and non-real-time) and directs them appropriately. The intermediary handles voicemail message storage, retrieval, and notification, as well as routing real-time calls to appropriate users based on their availability status, thereby managing complexity centrally rather than at each user endpoint.
Data Source
AI summary
There is described a method for setting up a call over the Internet between a Web-based phone and a phone device. The Web-based phone is loaded on a Java-enabled computing device. The call involves a Web application hosted on an external server capable of communication with a SIP Server on which the Web-based phone is pre-registered. Upon request from the computing device, the external server sends an HTTP message to a SIP Switch which in turn forwards a SIP NOTIFY message to the computing device through the SIP Server. The Web-based phone then pops up on the computing device and the call initiation can be confirmed. There is also described a platform independent Web-based phone as well as a Web application for auto-populating a contact directory from contacts on a social networking Web site.