Browser-Based Phone Number Detection and Display Configuration

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Communication systems, particularly peer-to-peer systems, face challenges in making communication-related data accessible and usable within familiar terminal functionalities, leading to user inefficiencies in interacting with communication features.

Innovation Solution

A method that interacts with a document-browser application to identify and modify the display of numeric or alphanumeric sequences, such as phone numbers, by selecting display configurations based on queries to a storage unit, enhancing user awareness and accessibility of communication options within the document itself.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If communication system features are integrated into familiar terminal functionalities (such as document-browser), then usability and accessibility are improved, but the complexity of the system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveusabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines communication system functionality with a document-browser application by integrating a communication client within the browser. The browser displays documents containing communication-related data (such as phone numbers or contact information), and the integrated communication client enables users to initiate communications directly from the displayed content. This merging eliminates the need for users to switch between separate applications, thereby improving usability while managing system complexity through unified architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The document-browser application is enhanced to perform multiple functions: it not only displays documents but also identifies communication-related data within them, queries storage units for additional information, selects appropriate display configurations, and initiates communications. This multi-functionality allows the same application to serve both document viewing and communication purposes, improving ease of operation without requiring entirely separate systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If communication-related data is displayed within the document-browser interface, then accessibility is improved, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring relevant data increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveaccessibilityVSAvoiddata detection difficulty
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary component within the communication client that automatically identifies and processes communication-related data within the document. This intermediary mechanism detects numeric or alphanumeric sequences, determines whether they represent communication data, and handles the querying and display configuration processes. By automating this detection through an intermediary layer, the system improves accessibility while reducing the manual effort required for data detection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system modifies the display of communication-related data by applying different display configurations selected based on query results. This may involve visual differentiation (such as highlighting, coloring, or formatting changes) to distinguish communication data from other document content. Such visual modifications make communication data more noticeable and accessible to users without requiring them to manually search through the document.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple display configurations are available for communication data, then adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedisplay adaptabilityVSAvoidconfiguration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic display configuration selection where the system automatically queries a storage unit based on the identified communication data and selects an appropriate display configuration from multiple available options. This dynamic adaptation allows the display to adjust based on the specific communication data type, user preferences, or context, thereby improving versatility. The complexity is managed through automated selection logic rather than requiring manual user configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The communication client automatically performs the tasks of querying the storage unit, selecting the appropriate display configuration, and modifying the display without requiring user intervention. This self-service approach allows the system to adapt to different communication data types autonomously, improving versatility while preventing the configuration complexity from burdening the user. The system serves itself by making intelligent selections based on predefined criteria and stored preferences.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2414969B1Communication system and method for browser-based phone number detection
Publication Date: 2018.05.23 SKYPE
  • EP2414969B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2414969B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2414969B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method, system and program for use in a communication system. The method comprises: interacting with a document-browser application executed on a first user terminal, the document-browser being configured to retrieve an electronic document from a first storage unit and display it on a screen, wherein the interaction comprises identifying a sequence of numeric or alphanumeric characters in the displayed document as being for use in initiating communication with a second user terminal over the communication system. The method further comprises: querying a second storage unit; and based on that query, selecting a display configuration for the identified sequence of characters from a plurality of available display configurations. The interaction further comprises modifying the display of a portion of the document so as to display the identified sequence of characters or information associated therewith in dependence on the determined display configuration.