Unified Contact Card Interface for Multi-Mode Communication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing mobile computing devices lack integrated functionality within user interfaces to facilitate seamless interaction with contacts across different communication modes, limiting user interaction to only displaying communication histories without enabling subsequent actions.
Innovation Solution
A contact-centric integrated communication system within a user interface provides a contact panel that displays conversation history and includes an input field, allowing users to initiate and manage communications across various modes (voice calls, text messaging, email, etc.) without leaving the panel, enabling direct interaction with communication items.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If existing systems display communication histories from different applications in a single user interface, then users can view communication records, but users cannot perform subsequent interactions with contacts within the same interface
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple communication applications (messaging, email, voice calls) and their histories into a single contact card interface. The contact card displays unified communication histories from different transport modes while integrating an input field that enables users to initiate new communications across multiple modes without leaving the contact card, thus merging viewing and interaction functions in one interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact card is designed as a universal interface that handles multiple communication modes (text messaging, email, voice calls) through a single unified display and input mechanism. The input field within the contact card can initiate communications across different transport modes, making the contact card a multi-functional hub for both viewing histories and performing interactions.
2Adaptability or versatility
If users navigate away from the contact panel to interact with communication items, then users can perform actions like returning calls or sending messages, but users lose the unified context and must switch between applications
Solution Approach 1:
The contact card pre-displays all available communication histories and transport modes in a unified view before user interaction. The input field is already positioned and configured within the contact card, enabling users to immediately initiate communications without needing to navigate to separate applications, thus eliminating navigation time while maintaining full interaction capability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple separate applications are used for different communication modes, then each application can be optimized for its specific function, but the user interface becomes fragmented and requires switching between applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments communication histories by transport mode (messaging, email, voice calls) within the unified contact card interface. Each communication type is displayed as a distinct section or item within the contact card, allowing the interface to maintain organizational structure while avoiding the need for separate applications. The input field can target specific transport modes based on user selection.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments provide integrated reply functionality within the context of a contact card or panel. Contact information is provided for display in the contact card (e.g., a portion of a user interface of a computing device). The contact information is associated with a contact. The contact information identifies one or more transport modes for communication with the contact. In some embodiments, the computing device receives a request from a user to communicate with the contact via at least one selected transport mode. Based on the received request, the computing device provides an input field within the contact card. In other embodiments, the transport mode is automatically selected and the input field is displayed. Data from the user is received into the input field for communication to the contact. The computing device sends the data received into the input field to the contact via the selected transport mode. The integrated reply functionality is accessible from a conversation history displayed in the contact card.