Mobile Call Screen Line Selection Interface

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current mobile device applications require users to manually switch between communication lines for outgoing calls, which is inconvenient and involves navigating through multiple screens, lacking a seamless method to select and change the active line for placing calls.

Innovation Solution

A user interface method that displays a call screen with a line selection menu, allowing users to select a communication line for outgoing calls by moving a selection element into a display field and updating the active line display field with the chosen line, enabling direct selection and switching without leaving the call screen.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If users manually switch between communication lines using separate applications or screens, then the active line can be changed, but the operation becomes inconvenient and navigation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveline selection convenienceVSAvoidnavigation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the line selection functionality with the call screen by displaying multiple communication lines and their corresponding phone numbers directly on the call screen. Users can select different lines by interacting with the displayed options without needing to navigate to separate screens or applications, thereby merging what were previously separate functions into a single integrated interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The call screen is designed to serve multiple functions: it displays the current active line, shows alternative communication lines with their phone numbers, and enables line switching all in one location. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate applications or screens for line management, making the call screen a universal interface for both call initiation and line selection.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If users navigate through multiple screens to change communication lines, then line selection is possible, but time is lost due to additional navigation steps

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveline switching speedVSAvoidnavigation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent displays all available communication lines and their phone numbers in advance on the call screen, before the user needs to make a selection. This preliminary presentation of options allows users to immediately see and choose from available lines without needing to navigate through additional screens or wait for data loading, thereby eliminating navigation time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

By merging the line selection interface with the call screen, the patent eliminates the time required to transition between separate screens or applications. Users can switch lines and initiate calls within the same displayed interface, removing the temporal overhead of screen transitions and navigation steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If a simple call screen is displayed, then the interface remains clean, but line selection functionality is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinterface simplicityVSAvoidline selection capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enhances specific local areas of the call screen by displaying additional line information and selection options in targeted locations within the interface. Rather than complicating the entire screen, the additional functionality is integrated into specific zones, maintaining overall interface simplicity while providing enhanced line selection capability in the relevant areas.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The call screen is designed as a multi-functional interface that simultaneously provides call initiation capabilities and comprehensive line selection functionality. By making the call screen universal, the patent maintains interface simplicity (avoiding the need for separate line management screens) while enhancing versatility (enabling both calling and line selection in one place).

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP1976241B1System and method for providing a user interface that facilitates user selection of a communication line for an outgoing call on a mobile device
Publication Date: 2011.01.05 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP1976241B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1976241B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1976241B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A system and method for providing a user interface that allows users to change the active line on which an outgoing call may be placed. In example embodiments, a direction to display a line selection menu on the call screen is received from the user, where the line selection menu is comprised of data identifying one or more of the multiple communication lines accessible at the mobile device. In response to the direction received from the user, the line selection menu is displayed on the call screen, and an input identifying a user-selected communication line is received. A display field in which data identifying the active line is displayed is updated accordingly.