Interface Overlay for Contact List Visibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing messaging systems face difficulties in distinguishing and prioritizing contacts in a list, making it hard for users to identify frequently interacted contacts due to factors like display size and layout constraints.
Innovation Solution
A user interface overlay that displays a contact list with attributes such as interaction frequency, using semi-transparent or varying size elements to differentiate contacts, allowing easy identification and selection of frequently communicated contacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the messaging window size is reduced to fit mobile devices, then the device portability and usability are improved, but the contact list visibility and distinguishability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a two-dimensional flat contact list to a three-dimensional bubble chart where contacts are represented as circular elements positioned in spatial dimensions. This allows the contact list to be visualized in a compact space while maintaining distinguishability through position, size, and color variations of the bubbles.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses color encoding to represent different contact attributes such as interaction frequency, relationship type, or communication mode. This allows users to quickly distinguish between contacts without requiring larger text or more space, resolving the contradiction between small window size and contact distinguishability.
2Area of stationary object
If the contact list is restricted to a subportion of the messaging window to reserve space for messages, then the message display area is improved, but the contact list distinguishability and accessibility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the contact list from the traditional sidebar or top portion and represents it as floating bubble elements that can be overlaid on the message area. This allows the contact list to be accessed without permanently occupying fixed space, enabling dynamic allocation of screen real estate between contacts and messages.
Solution Approach 2:
The bubble chart contact list is designed to be dynamic and interactive, allowing users to hover over, click, or drag bubbles to select contacts. The bubbles can animate or respond to user interaction, making contact selection intuitive and easy within a limited space portion.
3Device complexity
If contacts are listed in sequential order without visual prioritization, then the system simplicity is maintained, but the identification of frequently interacted contacts becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different visual properties to different contacts based on their attributes. Bubble size, color, position, or transparency varies locally for each contact to encode information about interaction frequency, relationship importance, or communication type. This allows frequent contacts to be visually distinguished without complicating the overall system structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The bubble chart serves as an intermediary visualization layer between the raw contact data and the user. Instead of presenting plain text names, the system translates contact attributes into visual bubble properties, making interaction frequency and other metadata immediately perceptible without requiring complex data structures or additional interface elements.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for providing a user interface overlay. In one embodiment, a toolbar remains visible and can be selected at any time to activate the interface overlay. The interface overlay provides an easily visible list computing options, such as contacts, that overlays the entire display area. The background of the overlay may be semi-transparent so that underlying windows are still visible, but the list is highlighted. The list includes selectable display elements with display characteristics, such as size or color, that indicate one or more attributes associated with the corresponding computing options, such as a frequency of interaction with certain contacts. In one embodiment, groups of contacts can be sorted or filtered by the attributes before display. Each selectable display element identifies a contact and may indicate a current availability. A user selects a display element to initiate communication, such as an instant messaging chat session.