Contact-Centric Interface for Unified Communication Initiation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current computing devices, especially small form-factor devices like cellular phones, face challenges in providing intuitive and efficient communication interfaces, as they often require manual input for selecting communication methods and numbers, which can be cumbersome in dynamic environments.
Innovation Solution
A contact-centric user-interface feature that displays and allows selection of multiple communication identifiers (e.g., phone numbers, email addresses, instant message identifiers) from a contact record, enabling users to initiate various communication types with a single action, and incorporates image data for a more personalized experience.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple communication identifiers are displayed from contact records, then communication initiation is simplified and user interactions are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple communication identifiers (phone numbers, email addresses, instant message identifiers) from contact records into a single unified interface. Users can access and select from all communication methods for a contact through one interaction, eliminating the need to navigate through separate interfaces for each communication type and thereby reducing the number of user interactions required.
Solution Approach 2:
The user-interface feature serves multiple functions by displaying and enabling selection of various communication identifiers from contact records. A single interface element performs both the display of contact information and the initiation of different communication types, making the system more versatile without requiring separate dedicated interfaces for each communication method.
2Productivity
If contact-centric interface with multiple communication identifiers is implemented, then communication efficiency is improved, but interface complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-organizing and displaying multiple communication identifiers from contact records before the user needs to initiate communication. The interface proactively presents sorted and categorized communication options (e.g., grouping phone numbers by type, organizing email addresses by domain) so that users can quickly select the appropriate communication method without having to search or navigate through complex menus.
3Ease of operation
If image data is incorporated for personalization, then user experience is enhanced, but data processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by incorporating image data selectively and contextually within the contact record interface. Images are displayed only when relevant and appropriate for the specific contact and communication context, rather than universally for all contacts. This selective application enhances personalization for users who value visual information while minimizing unnecessary data processing and energy consumption for contacts where images are not applicable or useful.
Data Source
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AI summary
Embodiments described herein provide a system, method and technique for operating a communication device. According to an embodiment, information contained in a contact record is displayed, where the information includes a plurality of entries. Each entry is associated with one of a plurality of communication types and includes an identifier for use with an application of the associated communication type. An input is detected corresponding to a user's selection of one of the plurality of entries. In response to the user's selection, the application of the communication type associated with the selected entry is automatically executed by initiating a communication using the identifier included in the selected entry.