Dynamic Address Book Sorting by Location

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing ranking methods in mobile terminal address books, such as alphabetical order by initial letters, are inconvenient for users to quickly find contact persons in a new location, leading to time-consuming searches for communication means.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that utilizes GPS to acquire the mobile terminal's location information, compares it with preset user locations, and prioritizes contact persons by placing those in the same location at the top of the address book, facilitating quicker access to local contacts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If contact persons are ranked in alphabetical order by initial letters, then the address book maintains a simple and standardized structure, but the user spends more time searching for contact persons in a new location

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconvenience of finding contact personsVSAvoidtime spent searching for contact persons
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The address book ranking is made dynamic by automatically adjusting the order of contact persons based on the terminal's current location. The system transitions from a static alphabetical ranking to a dynamic location-based ranking, where contacts are reordered according to their geographic proximity to the user's current position, thereby reducing search time when arriving at new locations

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The ranking parameter changes from alphabetical order to geographic proximity. The system uses location information (latitude and longitude) of both the terminal and contact persons to calculate distances and determine ranking order. This parameter change enables the address book to adapt to the user's physical context and prioritize locally relevant contacts

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If the address book uses a fixed ranking method, then the system structure remains simple, but the user cannot quickly access contact information in a new location

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeed of accessing contact informationVSAvoidcomplexity of the ranking system
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-storing location information of contact persons in the address book. When the user arrives at a new location, the system already has the necessary geographic data ready and can immediately begin calculating distances and reordering contacts without requiring real-time data collection or complex on-demand processing

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual searching mechanisms with automated location-based sorting. Instead of requiring users to manually search through an alphabetical list, the system automatically calculates geographic distances using location data and dynamically reorders the contact list, substituting mechanical browsing with automated intelligent sorting

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentEP2874380B1Address book sorting method and system of mobile terminal
Publication Date: 2019.03.13 ZTE CORP
  • EP2874380B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2

AI summary

A method and system for ranking an address book of a mobile terminal are provided. The method includes: acquiring location information of the terminal; comparing the location information of the terminal with places to which corresponding telephone numbers in the address book belong one by one, and selecting a corresponding telephone number that belongs to a place matched with the location information of the terminal; and placing information of a contact person to which the selected telephone number belongs at the top of the address book. With the method and the system, it is more convenient for a terminal user to acquire a means of communication of a contact person in a place where the user arrives.