Mobile Conferencing System Enhancing Call Tracking Usability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current conferencing systems on mobile devices lack enhanced user interfaces and usability features for conference calls, making it difficult for users to track and manage conference calls effectively.

Innovation Solution

A mobile conferencing system that parses calendar events to extract conference details, classifies calls as conference calls, and provides enhanced graphical user interfaces to display these details, allowing users to join and manage teleconferences seamlessly, including automatic dialing and updating of call logs with conference icons.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If basic calendaring software is used to store dial-in information, then conference call tracking is enabled, but user interface usability and ease of operation deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconference call trackingVSAvoiduser interface usability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments conference call management into distinct functional modules: calendar event parsing, conference detail extraction, automatic dialer integration, and specialized UI components. This modular approach maintains reliable tracking while improving usability through dedicated controls for muting, leaving, and speaker management that are clearly separated and labeled.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary conferencing application layer between the basic calendar software and the user interface. This intermediary parses calendar events, extracts conference details, and presents them through an enhanced UI with specialized controls, thereby maintaining the reliability of conference tracking while dramatically improving ease of operation through intuitive controls and information display.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If manual conference call management is used, then device complexity is reduced, but loss of time increases due to manual tracking

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidtime for tracking conferences
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by automatically parsing calendar events for conference details before the conference call begins. It pre-configures dialer applications with conference numbers and access codes, and pre-loads conference information into the specialized UI, eliminating the need for manual setup and tracking during the actual conference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The conferencing system performs self-service by automatically extracting conference details from calendar events, populating dialer information, and maintaining conference state without user intervention. The system autonomously tracks conference calls, updates call logs with conference icons, and manages conference-specific controls, freeing users from manual tracking tasks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If basic dialer application is used, then device complexity is minimized, but information display completeness deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication structureVSAvoidconference details display
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the functionality of the basic dialer application with specialized conferencing features into an integrated conferencing interface. This combined interface displays complete conference information including dial-in numbers, access codes, participant lists, and conference-specific controls (mute, leave, speaker management) while maintaining a unified, cohesive user experience rather than separate fragmented interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The conferencing application implements multi-functionality by combining basic dialer capabilities with advanced conference management features in a single interface. It handles both standard calling functions and conference-specific tasks such as displaying multiple dial-in options, managing participant audio, and providing conference controls, thereby displaying complete information without requiring multiple separate applications.

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

Data Source

PatentEP2600599B1Method and mobile device for facilitating conference calls
Publication Date: 2017.05.03 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP2600599B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2600599B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2600599B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Presented are systems and methods for presenting conference call information using a mobile conferencing system. The mobile conferencing system classifies a call type parameter as a conference call based on conference details. The mobile conferencing system joins a mobile device to a teleconference using the conference details and the call type parameter. The mobile conferencing system then displays an active call graphical user interface, wherein the graphical user interface displays at least part of the conference details.