Image-Based Contact Selection System for Mobile Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional contact lists on mobile devices are cumbersome and non-intuitive, particularly for elderly or handicapped users, as they require navigating through lengthy lists to initiate communications with individuals or entities depicted in images, leading to frustration and inefficiency.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system that allows users to initiate communications by selecting distinct areas within images, such as faces or logos, using facial recognition and image analysis to retrieve and display relevant contact information and communication options directly on the user interface, enabling seamless interaction without navigating through extensive contact lists.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If traditional contact lists are used to initiate communication, then comprehensive contact information is available, but navigation complexity and time required increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically detecting and recognizing objects (faces, logos) in images before user interaction. Contact information is pre-retrieved and associated with detected objects, so when a user selects an object in an image, the communication initiation is already prepared, eliminating the need to navigate through contact lists.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer between the user and contact information. Instead of directly accessing contact lists, users interact with image objects (faces, logos) which serve as intermediaries. The system automatically maps these image objects to corresponding contacts, simplifying the user's task to merely selecting the visual representation rather than navigating complex lists.
2Loss of information
If detailed contact information is displayed, then complete communication options are available, but interface complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The interface applies local quality by displaying different types of information in different locations and contexts. Contact information is selectively displayed based on the detected object type and user needs. The interface adapts its complexity locally - showing detailed contact options when needed, and simplified views when not necessary, rather than always presenting complete information uniformly.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact information and interface are segmented into distinct components associated with specific image objects. Each detected face or logo becomes an independent interactive element with its own contact information panel. This segmentation allows users to focus on individual contacts without being overwhelmed by the entire contact list, reducing perceived interface complexity while maintaining information completeness.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple communication channels are supported, then communication versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements universality by designing a unified interface that handles multiple communication channels (phone calls, text messages, emails, social media) through a single interaction paradigm. The same object selection mechanism in images triggers different communication actions based on the detected contact's preferences and available channels, eliminating the need for separate interfaces for each communication type.
Solution Approach 2:
The communication channel options are dynamic and adapt based on the detected contact information and user context. The system automatically determines which communication channels are appropriate and available, presenting only relevant options to the user. This dynamic adaptation reduces the apparent complexity by showing only necessary choices rather than all possible communication methods.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method includes receiving a selection of a distinct area within an image captured using a client device, and receiving, from the client device, (i) an indication of the selection and (ii) a set of technical capabilities of the client device indicating one or more available communication channels from a set of communication channels. The example method further includes responsive to receiving the indication, retrieving contact information indicating a plurality of contact methods for contacting the first entity represented by the image, and determining a first contact method for contacting the first entity based on the set of technical capabilities of the client device, the first contact method being one of the plurality of contact methods for contacting the first entity. The example method further includes causing the client device to display an interface allowing the user to contact the first entity according to the first contact method.