Unified Mobile Communication Interface for Seamless Call and IM Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile telephone terminals require inconvenient navigation through separate menu structures to switch between telephone call and instant messaging functions, lacking seamless integration of these communication modes.
Innovation Solution
Integration of instant messaging and telephone functions in mobile terminals, allowing automatic association of telephone numbers with User-IDs and vice versa, enabling seamless switching between communication modes through a unified interface and database access.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If separate menu structures are used for telephone call and instant messaging functions, then each function can be independently implemented, but user navigation becomes inconvenient and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges telephone call and instant messaging functions into a unified menu structure. The single menu system allows users to access both communication modes through one interface, eliminating the need to navigate separate menu structures. When a user selects a contact, the menu dynamically presents available communication options (voice call, instant messaging, or both), enabling seamless switching between modes without complex navigation.
2Ease of operation
If automatic association of telephone numbers with User-IDs is implemented, then switching between communication modes becomes seamless, but database complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The database structure is designed to store multiple contact identifiers (telephone numbers and User-IDs) for each contact entry, making the database universally applicable to both telephone calling and instant messaging functions. Each contact record can contain both a telephone number and a User-ID, allowing the same database to serve multiple communication purposes. This multi-functional database design enables automatic association and seamless switching between communication modes while managing complexity through a unified data structure.
3Adaptability or versatility
If presence attribute information is provided to users, then communication options can be dynamically customized, but information processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements partial presence information retrieval by only obtaining presence attributes for contacts currently in the user's active contact list or recently communicated with. Rather than continuously monitoring and processing presence information for all possible contacts, the terminal selectively retrieves presence data only when needed for active communication decisions. This approach enables dynamic customization of communication options based on presence status while minimizing unnecessary information processing and energy consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile telephone terminal provides a user with a selectable option to transfer a telephone call to an instant messaging session and to transfer an instant messaging session to a telephone call. A presence attribute indicator for a first party is displayed, in a mobile telephone application, with an entry associated with the telephone number of the first party. A user, while displaying an entry for a party in a mobile telephone application, has a selectable option for initiating instant messaging with the party. The mobile telephone provides a customised menu of selectable options for initiating communication. The menu is dependent upon received presence attribute information. A calendar application can store the content of an instant messaging dialogue in an appointment record. When an application accesses a stored telephone number of a party the stored instant messaging address of that party is automatically accessed or accessible and when the application accesses a stored instant messaging address of a party, the stored telephone number of that party is automatically accessed or accessible.