Proximate Display for Mobile Scheduling During Calls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Scheduling appointments on mobile devices during oral communications sessions is inefficient due to the need to interrupt the session to view available time slots, leading to wasted network resources and prolonged network link maintenance.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that allows a mobile electronic communications device to retrieve and display time slot data from a scheduling database on a proximate electronic device during an oral communications session, enabling updates without interrupting the session, using voice data processing and wireless communication via Bluetooth or other short-range networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the mobile device display screen is used to show available time slots during an oral communications session, then the user can view and select appointments, but the network link must be interrupted and maintained longer than necessary, wasting network resources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a proximate electronic device as an intermediary between the mobile electronic communications device and the user. This proximate device displays the available time slots, allowing the user to view appointment options without interrupting the oral communications session on the mobile device. The mobile device maintains its network link continuously while the proximate device handles the display function, thus eliminating network resource wastage.
2Ease of operation
If the mobile device is taken away from the user's ear to make the display visible, then the user can see available time slots, but the oral communications session is interrupted repeatedly
Solution Approach 1:
The proximate electronic device serves as a mediator that handles the display of available time slots separately from the mobile device used for communication. This allows the user to view appointment options on the proximate device while keeping the mobile device stationary at the ear, eliminating the need to repeatedly take the device away and thus preventing interruptions to the oral communications session.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the scheduling interface into two separate devices: the mobile electronic communications device handles voice communication and network connectivity, while the proximate electronic device handles visual display of time slots. This segmentation allows both functions to operate simultaneously without interfering with each other, improving scheduling efficiency.
3Reliability
If the network link is maintained while searching for available time slots, then continuous communication is possible, but network resources are wasted during the search process
Solution Approach 1:
The proximate electronic device acts as an intermediary that assumes the display burden, allowing the mobile device to maintain its network link continuously for reliable communication without the need to interrupt for display purposes. The time slot search and display operations are performed on the proximate device, preventing unnecessary network resource consumption while preserving communication continuity.
Data Source
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AI summary
A mobile electronic communications device and a method for modifying a scheduling database are provided. The scheduling database can be modified via the mobile electronic communications device in communication with a proximate electronic device comprising a display device, when the mobile electronic communications device is engaging in an oral communications session with a second communications device. Time slot data associated with an available time slot is retrieved from the scheduling database, via the mobile electronic communications device. The time slot data associated with the available time slot is transmitted, via the mobile electronic communications device, to the proximate electronic device to cause the proximate electronic device to display the time slot data associated with the available time slot at the display device. Input data is received at the mobile electronic communications device. If the input data is representative of a command to update the scheduling database, updating, via the mobile electronic communications device, an entry of the scheduling database based on the time slot data associated with the available time slot displayed at the display device.