Group Management Interface for Portable Communication Devices

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional mobile device applications are inadequate for managing, coordinating, and monitoring associated electronic devices within a group, lacking effective connectivity management and graphical user interfaces tailored for small-screen devices.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method and system for managing portable communication devices in a group, featuring modules for listing, selecting, locating, and presenting device information, including connectivity details, whitelists, blacklists, and credit management, to enable efficient group management and monitoring.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional mobile device applications are used for group management, then basic device functionality is maintained, but effective connectivity management and coordination capabilities are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegroup management capabilityVSAvoidconnectivity management effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments group management into distinct functional modules: device listing, selection, location determination, connectivity management, and monitoring. Each module handles specific aspects of device management independently, improving overall effectiveness while maintaining operational simplicity through structured organization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The application provides multi-functional capabilities within a single interface, enabling users to perform device listing, location tracking, connectivity management, and monitoring operations through one unified application, thereby enhancing group management versatility without requiring multiple separate applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If traditional connectivity management approaches are applied to mobile devices, then existing protocols are maintained, but effective coordination and monitoring of associated devices is not achieved

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice coordination efficiencyVSAvoidmonitoring system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges multiple management functions including device listing, location determination, connectivity management, and monitoring into a single integrated application interface, improving coordination efficiency while reducing the complexity that would arise from managing separate systems for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The application serves as an intermediary layer between users and the complex underlying mobile device management systems, abstracting complexity away while providing streamlined interfaces for efficient device coordination and monitoring operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If comprehensive group management features are implemented, then detailed device monitoring and control is enabled, but graphical user interface complexity for small-screen devices increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice monitoring accuracyVSAvoidgraphical user interface complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The graphical user interface segments comprehensive monitoring capabilities into organized sections: device listing, individual device selection, location display, connectivity information, and monitoring controls. This segmentation allows detailed monitoring functionality to be presented in a structured manner that is manageable on small screens without overwhelming the user.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The interface utilizes vertical scrolling and hierarchical organization to present comprehensive monitoring data that would be too extensive for a single screen, allowing users to access detailed device information through multi-page layouts and expandable sections that maintain reliability while adapting to small-screen constraints.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS9590862B2Group management and graphical user interface for associated electronic devices

Publication Date: 2017.03.07 ADEIA MEDIA HOLDINGS INC

AI summary

Methods and systems are provided for managing a group of portable communication devices. In accordance with one implementation, a computer-implemented method is provided for managing a group of portable communication devices on an individual basis or an aggregate basis, the method comprising the steps of providing a list of the portable communication devices in the group, selecting a target portable communication device, determining the location of the target portable communication device, and presenting the location of the target portable communication device. The method may further comprise the step of determining whether the group has sufficient credit for acquiring the location of the portable communication devices in the group.