Context-Sensitive Contact Broker for Automated Communication Initiation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing communication systems require multiple steps and manual intervention to initiate contacts, limiting user convenience and efficiency, especially when trying to transition between different communication methods or applications.
Innovation Solution
A context-sensitive broker system that receives user input, locates relevant contact information from various applications and directories, and initiates communications seamlessly, without requiring users to switch between applications or manually enter contact details.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If existing applications are used for automatic initiation of contacts, then limited automation functionality is provided, but the system complexity and number of required applications increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple separate applications (email client, contact manager, communication initiator) into a single integrated application. This unified application provides automatic contact initiation by searching the contact database and launching communication to the selected contact, eliminating the need for users to switch between multiple applications while maintaining comprehensive automation functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated application performs multiple functions within a single system: it manages contacts, searches for contact information, and initiates communications. This multi-functional approach reduces the overall number of applications needed while providing extensive automation capabilities for contact initiation across different communication channels.
2Extent of automation
If code modification within applications is required for automatic contact initiation, then automation functionality is achieved, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically performs contact initiation without requiring users to modify any code or configure complex settings. The application autonomously searches the contact database using the selected contact's information and automatically launches the appropriate communication channel, making the process accessible to users regardless of their technical expertise.
3Loss of information
If contact initiation requires switching between applications, then contact information can be located, but user convenience and productivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by maintaining a contact database with pre-stored contact information and by automatically searching this database when a user selects a contact. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for users to manually switch between applications to find contact information, significantly reducing the time required to initiate communication.
4Ease of operation
If manual intervention is required to initiate contacts, then control over the process is maintained, but user convenience and efficiency decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides feedback to users during the automatic contact initiation process, allowing users to review and confirm the selected contact before communication is launched. This feedback mechanism maintains user control and convenience while still providing extensive automation, as users can see what actions the system will take and approve or modify them as needed.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for initiating a contact, comprising a broker 236 operable (a) to receive a first type of information selected by a user, the first type of information being accessed through a first application; (b) locate a second type of information associated with the first type of information, the second type of information being stored by a second application different from the first application; and (c) initiate a communication to a communication device identified by the second type of information.