Contact Management Software Relationship Association
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional contact management systems in electronic devices do not allow users to associate new contacts with existing contacts or group them based on how they were met or introduced, lacking a structured way to document relationships and connections.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a user interface and contact database that enables users to add new contacts with information about how they met the contact and associate them with existing contacts, using a contact card and known contacts screen to record and display relationships, with fields for names and modes of contact, allowing users to create groups or 'circles' of contacts introduced by a particular person.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional contact management systems are used, then the contacts database stores basic contact information, but users cannot associate new contacts with existing contacts or document relationships
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested data structure where contacts are organized in hierarchical groups and subgroups, allowing contacts to be nested within groups which can contain subgroups. This enables association of contacts with existing contacts through multiple levels of nesting, resolving the contradiction by providing versatile contact association while maintaining structured organization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the contacts database into distinct components including contacts, groups, subgroups, and relationship metadata. Each contact record is divided into separate fields for basic information, associated contacts, introduction events, and other relationship attributes. This segmentation enables enhanced contact association capabilities while keeping the database structure manageable through modular organization.
2Loss of information
If a contacts database with relationship fields is implemented, then users can document how they met contacts and associate them with existing contacts, but the user interface and data structure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal contacts database structure that can store multiple types of relationship information through a standardized schema. The same data structure fields (associated_contacts, introduction_event, meeting_location) serve multiple purposes: documenting relationships, tracking social connections, and organizing contacts into groups. This multi-functionality reduces information loss while avoiding redundant complex structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds new dimensions to the traditional contacts database by introducing relationship metadata fields that capture qualitative aspects of contacts (how they were met, where, introduction context). These new dimensions are integrated into the existing database structure rather than creating separate complex systems, allowing rich relationship information storage while maintaining data structure efficiency.
3Loss of information
If fields for recording how contacts are met and associated contacts are added, then users can better understand social connections, but the ease of adding new contacts decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-configuring the contacts database with relationship fields and metadata structures before users add contacts. The database schema is prepared in advance with fields for associated contacts, introduction events, and meeting contexts. When users add new contacts, these fields are automatically available, eliminating the need for users to manually configure complex relationship structures and simplifying the addition process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables self-service by allowing users to optionally populate relationship fields when adding contacts without requiring manual configuration of the entire relationship network. The system automatically creates the necessary data structures and associations based on user input, and users can enhance relationship information progressively over time without being burdened by complex upfront setup requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
Using an interface and contacts database according to the present technology, a user may add a new contact to their contacts database along with information about how the user met the new contact and/or information about other contacts who are known to or associated with the new contact.