Single-Press Audio Message Transmission on Touchscreens

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing methods for transmitting audio messages on mobile devices require multiple operations, which complicates usability, especially for less experienced users and can be impractical in emergency situations where time is limited.

Innovation Solution

A method that allows users to select a receiver and initiate recording and sending of an audio message with a single operation on a touch-sensitive device, enabling simultaneous recording and transmission by pressing a screen area dedicated to a contact, with options for automatic interruption and real-time sending.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If multiple operations are used for transmitting audio messages (selecting receiver, recording, sending), then the transmission function is reliable and complete, but the number of operations increases making the device complex and difficult to operate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple operations (selecting receiver, recording, and sending audio message) into a single integrated operation. When a user presses a contact's icon on the touchscreen, the system simultaneously identifies the receiver, activates recording, and prepares transmission, eliminating the need for separate sequential steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The touchscreen interface serves multiple functions: it displays contact information, detects user selection, triggers recording, and initiates transmission. This multi-functional approach replaces traditional separate controls for each operation, simplifying the user interface while maintaining comprehensive functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If multiple operations are required for audio message transmission, then each operation can be performed carefully, but the time needed to complete transmission increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveproductivityVSAvoidloss of time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the sequential operations of receiver selection, recording activation, and message transmission into a single simultaneous process. Pressing a contact icon triggers all three operations at once, dramatically reducing the time from user intent to message transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary setup by pre-configuring transmission parameters and receiver identification before the user initiates the operation. When the user presses the contact icon, the message is already prepared for sending, requiring only recording activation and immediate transmission upon release.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If multiple operations are needed for audio message transmission, then user control is precise, but the possibility of user mistakes increases when moving between functions

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovereliabilityVSAvoidease of operation
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple discrete operations into a single unified gesture (pressing a contact icon). This eliminates the need to navigate between different menu screens or press multiple separate buttons, thereby reducing the opportunities for user errors while maintaining reliable message transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically manages the transmission process once the user initiates it by pressing the contact icon. The device handles receiver identification, recording activation, and transmission initiation without requiring the user to manually configure each parameter, reducing user mistakes while ensuring reliable operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Productivity

If traditional multi-step methods are used for audio message transmission, then each step can be verified, but the method becomes impractical in emergency situations

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveproductivityVSAvoidreliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges all necessary transmission operations into a single rapid gesture, enabling users to send audio messages in emergency situations where time is critical. The unified press-and-release interaction eliminates delays associated with navigating multiple screens or confirming each step separately.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system skips intermediate verification steps that would normally require separate user actions. By pre-configuring transmission parameters and using automatic recipient identification from the contact icon, the system rushes through the transmission process while maintaining reliability through automated error prevention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #21Skipping (Rushing through)

Data Source

PatentEP3014412B1Method for processing an audio message
Publication Date: 2020.09.30 GIACCO SIMONE
  • EP3014412B1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP3014412B1 patent drawingFigure 1b
  • EP3014412B1 patent drawingFigure 1c

AI summary

Method for processing an audio message by a pocket-sized electronic device, in particular a mobile phone, or a tablet having at least one touch-sensitive part of the screen, comprising the steps of: - Provision of a list of contacts, each contact being associated with a dedicated portion of the screen; Selection of a receiver of the audio message from the contact list displayed on the device screen; Activation of a function for recording an audio message to be sent; Interruption of said recording function; Transmission of the recorded voice message to the selected receiver; characterized by the circumstance that those aforementioned steps of selecting and activating are performed through a single pressure of at least one area of said portion of dedicated screen.