Real-Time Communication Interface for Concurrent Sharing and Access Control

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing techniques for managing real-time communication sessions on electronic devices are cumbersome and inefficient, requiring multiple key presses or keystrokes, wasting user time and device energy, particularly in battery-operated devices.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a user interface that allows for concurrent display of multiple selectable options for sharing a link to a real-time communication session via different communication protocols, including options for inviting participants and controlling access, thereby reducing cognitive burden and conserving power.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If existing techniques are used for managing real-time communication sessions, then the communication can be established, but the process requires multiple key presses or keystrokes which increases user time and device energy consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser timeVSAvoidoperation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the sharing process into distinct phases: displaying multiple protocol options concurrently, allowing user selection without sequential navigation, and executing the selected sharing method immediately. This segmentation eliminates the need for multiple key presses by presenting all necessary options at once on the user interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring multiple sharing protocols and displaying their options before the user actually initiates sharing. The user interface prepares and presents all available sharing methods (messaging applications, email, other protocols) in advance, so the user only needs to select one option rather than navigate through multiple screens or press multiple keys.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Use of energy by moving object

If existing techniques are used for managing real-time communication sessions, then the communication can be established, but the process requires multiple key presses or keystrokes which increases device energy consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice energyVSAvoidoperation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Use of energy by moving objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the sharing process into distinct phases: displaying multiple protocol options concurrently, allowing user selection without sequential navigation, and executing the selected sharing method immediately. This segmentation eliminates the need for multiple key presses by presenting all necessary options at once on the user interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides self-service by automatically managing the sharing process after user selection. Once the user taps a sharing option, the system autonomously executes the sharing through the selected protocol without requiring further user input or navigation, thereby minimizing energy consumption from prolonged screen display and processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Productivity

If multiple sharing options are displayed concurrently, then the user can select the desired protocol quickly, but the interface complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesharing efficiencyVSAvoidinterface complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal sharing interface that handles multiple communication protocols (messaging applications, email, and other protocols) through a single unified display mechanism. This multi-functional approach allows the system to present diverse sharing options in a consistent, standardized format, avoiding the need for separate interface designs for each protocol and thereby managing complexity while maintaining productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS12381924B2Real-time communication user interface

Publication Date: 2025.08.05 APPLE INC

AI summary

The present disclosure generally relates to real-time communication user interfaces. A computer system displays a plurality of selectable options for sharing a link to a real-time communication session via a plurality of respective communication protocols. A computer system displays a selectable user interface element corresponding to a link to a real-time communication session that, when selected via user input, initiates a process to send the link to a user and displays a user interface for participating in the real-time communication session with the user. A computer system displays a visual representation of a user attempting to join a real-time communication session that includes an option that is selectable to determine whether the user is allowed to participate in the real-time communication session.