Apple's recent patent on "communications system that provides user-selectable data when user in on-hold" reveals an advanced call hold feature that provides users with dynamic call holding and caller information on display, possibly making 'Please Hold' obsolete. The Patent No. 8,412,164 includes adaptive information, which according to Apple Insider, will cover a number of possibilities "automatically presented at times when the user may otherwise not expect to be presented with information".
This technology is pretty encompassing, and will revolutionize how we take calls altogether. For example, ad space will be sold to offset some of the costs associated with the call--presenting users with advertisements when they are on hold. The time of the day is also considered, as the data presented will call upon a user's schedule for an early morning call or news or weather forecasts for late night calls.
Adaptive information includes contextual data taken from the user's phone like events in a user's calendar, according to Apple Insider. Adaptive information by definition is different from static information because it can be changed, rather than remain the same or fixed. Unlike Static information which only includes the duration of the call or the caller ID, adaptive information will include data that is generated every time a new connection is made between two callers. The data will be customized based on the line, date, time, user's schedule, location, and other metrics, according to Apple Insider. Furthermore, the adaptive system will also be able to display information not necessarily stored in teh user's device like news, weather, music or other information.
According to information in the patent :
"Adaptive information can also be presented using graphical representations. Graphical representations of adaptive information can be used separately from or in combination with audio signals. For example, a device can display a picture of the person a user is communicating with while also providing important facts about that person through an audio signal."
This technology is pretty encompassing, and will revolutionize how we take calls altogether. For example, ad space will be sold to offset some of the costs associated with the call--presenting users with advertisements when they are on hold. The time of the day is also considered, as the data presented will call upon a user's schedule for an early morning call or news or weather forecasts for late night calls.
This patent seems a little broad to me, given that the "call waiting" screen on Android and other phones seems to be able to hold a variety of information regarding the call if one has customized the phone to the desired settings. I'd be curious as to the way that Google is reacting to this patent, given its obvious usefulness as a feature.
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