Unified Contact Interface for Streamlined Communication Initiation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing techniques for managing contacts and initiating communications on electronic devices are cumbersome and inefficient, often requiring complex user interfaces with multiple key presses, wasting user time and device energy.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of faster and more efficient methods and interfaces for managing contacts, which include displaying affordances associated with contacts and receiving user input to select a communication application, thereby providing a streamlined contact information interface for initiating communications using both first-party and third-party applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If existing techniques for managing contacts are used, then contact management functionality is provided, but the user interface becomes complex and time-consuming with multiple key presses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the contact selection interface and communication application selection interface into a single unified contact information interface. When a user selects a contact, the system simultaneously displays both the contact details and available communication applications in one view, eliminating the need for multiple separate screens and key presses.
Solution Approach 2:
The contact information interface serves multiple functions simultaneously: it displays contact identification information, shows available communication applications, and enables direct initiation of communications. This multi-functional design replaces what would traditionally require separate interfaces for each function.
2Productivity
If existing contact management techniques are used, then communication initiation is possible, but user time and device energy are wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by displaying all available communication applications in advance within the contact information interface, before the user needs to initiate a communication. This allows the user to see all options simultaneously and select the desired application without navigating through multiple screens or performing sequential actions.
3Adaptability or versatility
If existing contact management techniques are used, then communication services are provided, but battery power is consumed faster
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and displays only the essential information and functions needed for communication initiation in the contact information interface. By presenting contact identification and communication application options in a single consolidated view, the system reduces the need for continuous screen updates and processor activity that would occur with multiple separate interfaces, thereby reducing power consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure generally relates to contact management and communication with contacts. On a portable electronic device having a display a plurality of affordances associated with a plurality of contacts are displayed. A first user input is received selecting a first affordance of the plurality of affordances for a first contact of the plurality of contacts. In response to receiving the first user input and in accordance with a determination that a first communication application is in a set of communication applications installed on the portable electronic device, a contact information interface is displayed for the first contact. The contact information interface includes a first contact identification field for the first contact. The first contact identification field is associated with the first contact and the first communication application.