Contact Management via Centralized Database Sync

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional contact management systems require manual updates across multiple individual databases, leading to inefficiencies in data synchronization and lost opportunities for tracking and reporting call data across different devices and platforms.

Innovation Solution

An integrated contact management system that allows users to access and update contact information through both desktop and mobile devices, featuring a centralized database for synchronization, automated two-way data syncing, and a call sheet module for tracking call results and status, enabling unified management across web and mobile applications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If contact information is stored in multiple individual databases, then data can be accessed locally on each device, but manual updates are required across all databases leading to synchronization inefficiency

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata synchronization efficiencyVSAvoidtime for manual updates
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple individual databases into a single centralized database that can be accessed by multiple users and devices. This consolidation eliminates the need for manual data entry across separate databases, as all contact information is stored in one location that automatically synchronizes across the network, directly resolving the contradiction between data accessibility and synchronization efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a network server as an intermediary between users and the centralized database. This mediator handles data synchronization automatically, receiving updates from any user and distributing them to all other users without requiring manual intervention, thus eliminating time loss while maintaining productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of information

If call management is handled with individual databases and spreadsheets, then call data can be tracked locally, but opportunities for centralized tracking and reporting are lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecall data tracking capabilityVSAvoidsystem integration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines call management functionality with the contact management system in a single integrated database. Call data is stored and tracked alongside contact information, enabling centralized reporting and analysis without requiring separate complex systems, thus preventing information loss while avoiding excessive device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal database system that handles multiple functions including contact storage, call tracking, and reporting within a single platform. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate spreadsheets and databases, capturing all call data centrally without adding significant complexity to the system architecture.

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

3Reliability

If manual updates are used across multiple databases, then data can be maintained on each device, but inefficiencies and errors in data synchronization occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata synchronization accuracyVSAvoiddata update efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements an automated synchronization system where the centralized database automatically updates itself when changes are made by any user. The system self-manages data distribution across the network without requiring manual intervention from users, thereby maintaining high data accuracy while maximizing update efficiency through automation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent establishes a feedback mechanism where the centralized database continuously monitors for changes and automatically redistributes updated information to all connected devices. This real-time feedback loop ensures data accuracy is maintained across the system while eliminating the productivity losses associated with manual synchronization processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS9473930B2Contact management
Publication Date: 2016.10.18 SONY GROUP CORP
  • US9473930B2 patent drawing
  • US9473930B2 patent drawing
  • US9473930B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Contact management using a callsheet record, including: enabling a user to make entries and selections to the callsheet record, wherein the entries and selections to the callsheet record creates call scripts and tracks results and status of calls made by the user; and storing the entries and selections made to the callsheet record for future reference and modification.