Web Platform Select-to-Call Context Preservation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face inconvenience when trying to place calls from web platforms, as they need to switch contexts from web content to separate calling applications, disrupting their browsing experience and lacking integrated functionality for call management.
Innovation Solution
Implementing select-to-call functionality within web platforms, such as web browsers, through integrated features or plug-ins, which allows users to initiate calls directly from web content while maintaining their browsing context, and retrieving additional information about called numbers from databases for enhanced experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If users leave the web platform to place calls on a telephone or cell phone, then call functionality is achieved, but user context is completely switched from web content to a different application
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines call functionality with the web platform by integrating a telephony application within the browser environment. This merging allows users to place calls directly from web content without switching to a separate telephone application, thereby maintaining web context and eliminating context switching time while preserving ease of operation for call placement
2Adaptability or versatility
If users launch a separate application to place peer-to-peer calls, then call functionality is achieved, but user context is completely switched from web content to an entirely different application
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal calling system within the web platform that can handle multiple calling scenarios (peer-to-peer calls, calls to traditional phone numbers) through a single integrated interface. This multi-functionality provides calling versatility while maintaining seamless workflow integration with web content, eliminating the need to switch between different applications
3Adaptability or versatility
If select-to-call functionality is implemented through a web plug-in, then integrated call functionality is achieved, but additional software download and installation is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the browser's existing plug-in architecture as an intermediary layer between the web content and the telephony functionality. This approach enables integrated call functionality by leveraging the browser's ability to load and execute plug-ins, thereby achieving adaptability without requiring direct modification of the browser core or complex system-level integration
Data Source
AI summary
Web content is formatted to show an icon adjacent identified phone numbers to enable select-to-call, e.g., click-to-call functionality from within a web platform. The web platform can include various web browsers, web applications, and the like. The select-to call functionality can comprise an integral part of the web platform, such as comprising part of the web platform's binary. Alternately, the select-to call functionality can be provided through a web plug-in that is downloaded and incorporated into the web platform. The select-to-call functionality can enable the user's web platform context to be maintained during the call.