Mobile Calendar Integrating Social Network Synchronization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional calendar applications on mobile devices do not fully synchronize with social networks, requiring users to launch separate applications to interact with or post reminders and events, leading to inefficiencies in managing personal and others' calendars.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that synchronizes an electronic calendar with external data storage to generate and display events, allowing users to respond and transmit responses, including birthday greetings, directly to social networking websites without launching the social network application, and automatically creates events or reminders on social networking websites.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If calendar application synchronizes with social networks to obtain personal information, then the calendar function is enhanced with social data, but users still need to launch separate social network applications to interact with or post events

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecalendar function integrationVSAvoiduser interaction convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the social network interaction functions with the calendar application by integrating a web browser within the calendar app. This allows users to view and interact with social network events, post birthday greetings, and manage calendar events without leaving the calendar application, thus merging multiple functions into a single interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a web browser as an intermediary component within the calendar application. This browser enables the calendar app to access and interact with social network websites directly, serving as a mediator between the calendar system and external social networks, eliminating the need to launch separate applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If users launch separate social network applications to post birthday greetings, then social interaction is enabled, but time and operational steps are increased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesocial interaction capabilityVSAvoidoperational time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges social interaction capabilities directly into the calendar application through an integrated web browser. Users can post birthday greetings, view social events, and interact with social networks all within the calendar app interface, eliminating the need to switch between applications and reducing operational time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-loading and displaying social network event data within the calendar application. Birthday greetings and social events are prepared and accessible in advance within the calendar interface, allowing users to interact with social networks without the delay of launching separate applications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of information

If calendar application displays event details, then information is provided, but user interaction with social networks requires additional application launches

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveevent information displayVSAvoidapplication switching
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the web browser functionality with the calendar application display. Event details are displayed within the calendar interface, and the integrated browser allows direct interaction with social network websites from the same display interface, eliminating the need to switch to separate applications and reducing device operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2632137B1Method for using an electronic calendar and a handheld mobile electronic device using the same
Publication Date: 2016.04.20 HTC CORP
  • EP2632137B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2632137B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2632137B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure provides a calendar application or widget for use on a handheld electronic mobile device. This calendar application is able to post birthday greets on a web page of a social network without having to launch the application of the social network. The calendar application is able to synchronize with external data storages from the cloud storage. Upon synchronizing the data, a user is able to obtain information regarding events and be reminded by the event. When a reminder is triggered, a user is able to respond by sending greetings to personal contacts or to invite contacts to the event, and the response can be synchronized with external servers.