Overlay Interface for Meeting Coordination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current meeting coordination tools are inefficient in scheduling meetings across different time zones, managing meeting materials, taking notes, and facilitating subsequent or sidebar discussions, as they lack integrated functionality and often require separate applications and communication channels.

Innovation Solution

An overlay interface that integrates with existing applications to automate repetitive tasks, such as scheduling, note-taking, and material distribution, while considering time zones and allowing for the management of subsequent meetings and sidebar discussions within a single platform.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple separate applications are used for scheduling, note-taking, and material distribution, then specific functions can be performed, but the overall process becomes time-consuming and inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeeting coordination efficiencyVSAvoidtime for scheduling and coordination

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines scheduling, note-taking, material distribution, and meeting coordination functions into a single integrated application interface. This merging eliminates the need to switch between multiple separate applications, thereby improving productivity and reducing the time required for meeting coordination activities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a universal meeting coordination application that performs multiple functions including scheduling meetings, taking notes, distributing materials, and managing follow-up activities. This multi-functional approach allows users to accomplish all meeting-related tasks within one system, significantly reducing coordination time and improving overall efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If manual methods are used for scheduling meetings and distributing materials, then flexibility is maintained, but the process becomes tedious and costly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemeeting management efficiencyVSAvoideffort required for manual coordination

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements automated features that allow the system to perform scheduling, material distribution, and meeting coordination tasks without requiring manual intervention for each action. The system automatically manages meeting details, distributes materials to participants, and coordinates follow-up activities, thereby reducing the effort and energy required for manual coordination while maintaining high productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If conventional online meeting tools are used, then remote participation is enabled, but the interface lacks convenience for determining speaker identity and managing speaking time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterface convenience for speaker managementVSAvoidcomplexity of speaker identification system

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses visual indicators such as color changes in the user interface to clearly indicate which participant is currently speaking. This simple visual cue system makes it easy for all participants to identify the active speaker without requiring complex technical systems, thereby improving ease of operation while keeping the system relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The invention introduces an intermediary interface layer that manages speaker identification and speaking time allocation. This intermediary system automatically tracks and displays speaker information, eliminating the need for manual tracking and reducing the complexity of direct speaker management while improving interface convenience.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Adaptability or versatility

If separate applications are used for scheduling and document creation, then specialized functions are available, but access is limited to one document at a time and material delivery is not provided

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedocument access capabilityVSAvoidnumber of documents accessible simultaneously

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal platform that combines document creation, scheduling, and material distribution capabilities. Users can access and manage multiple documents simultaneously within the same application interface, and the system automatically delivers relevant materials to meeting participants, thereby increasing document accessibility and eliminating the limitations of separate applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8489442B1Interface for meeting facilitation and coordination, method and apparatus

Publication Date: 2013.07.16 RED HAT INC

AI summary

The present invention is directed to an overlay interface for facilitating and coordinating meetings. In particular, a central overlay interface tool having access to a plurality of applications is provided for scheduling meetings at dates and times at which desired meeting attendees are available. The tool allows for communications related to the meeting to be automatically generated and sent to participants. In addition, communications may be received and acted on by the tool. The tool may also provide for the identification of materials related to the meeting, and provide access to such materials to attendees. In a further aspect, the overlay interface allows for follow-up and sidebar meetings to be scheduled.