Mobile Device Application Integration for Location-Based Routing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mobile devices operate independently for specific applications, lacking integration to provide users with seamless access to multiple functionalities, such as location-based information and routing, which limits the efficiency of using multiple applications simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for mobile devices that integrate email, address book, and map applications, allowing users to select an email address to retrieve contact information, including geographic location, and provide route information from the device's current location to the contact's location, using multi-touch-sensitive displays and services like navigation and directory services.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple applications operate independently in a mobile device, then each application can perform its specific function, but the device lacks integration to provide seamless access to multiple functionalities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges email, address book, and map applications into an integrated system where selecting an email address automatically retrieves contact information and displays geographic location on a map. This combining of previously separate functions allows seamless access to multiple functionalities through a unified interface, resolving the contradiction between versatility and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile device is designed with multi-functional capability where a single integrated system performs email communication, contact management, and geographic location display. The email application can trigger address book lookup and map display functions, making the system universal rather than dedicated to single purposes, thus improving adaptability while managing complexity through unified architecture.
2Ease of operation
If users manually access contact information and geographic location separately, then each piece of information can be retrieved accurately, but user effort and time are increased
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically retrieving and preparing contact information and geographic location data when an email address is selected. Instead of requiring users to manually search for contact details and then separately find location information, the system proactively gathers all necessary information in the background and presents it integrated on the map interface, significantly reducing user effort and time.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated system acts as an intermediary that automatically connects email addresses to contact information and geographic locations. When a user selects an email address, the system mediates between the email application, address book, and map services, automatically retrieving and coordinating the necessary information without requiring manual intervention at each step, thus easing operation and reducing time loss.
3Adaptability or versatility
If applications operate independently, then each application maintains its specific functionality, but seamless access to location-based information and routing is not provided
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines email, address book, and map applications into an integrated workflow where selecting an email address automatically triggers retrieval of contact information and display of geographic location on a map. This merging enables seamless access to location-based information without requiring users to manually switch between applications, thus improving adaptability while maintaining ease of operation through unified interface design.
Data Source
AI summary
A method includes receiving an electronic message at a mobile device; displaying the electronic message in an electronic message user interface, the electronic message including sender information; determining a contact entry of an address book application associated with the sender information of the electronic message, the contact entry including physical address information; determining a geographic location of the mobile device; and displaying the contact entry on an address book application user interface, the displayed contact entry including proximity information indicating a distance from the device to the physical address of the contact entry.