Unified GUI for Communication Session Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication management interfaces are overly complex due to the proliferation of features and modes, making it difficult for users to intuitively manage communication sessions across various platforms such as phone calls, instant messaging, email, and video conferencing.

Innovation Solution

A graphical user interface (GUI) that uses connected graphical elements to represent communication sessions, allowing users to drag and drop icons to manage participants and communication modes, with visual metaphors indicating trust levels and relationship details, enabling seamless interaction across different communication modalities.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple communication modes and features are integrated into a single device, then communication versatility is improved, but interface complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication versatilityVSAvoidinterface complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal graphical user interface that handles multiple communication modes (telephone, instant messaging, email, video conferencing) through a single unified interface paradigm. The GUI uses consistent graphical metaphors and interaction patterns across all communication types, allowing one interface to serve multiple functions without requiring users to learn separate interfaces for each mode.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The interface is segmented into modular components that can be dynamically configured. Communication sessions are represented as separate graphical elements that can be independently managed, and the interface can adapt its layout and available controls based on the current communication mode and session state, reducing perceived complexity while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If traditional telephone interfaces are enhanced with feature buttons and menus, then communication functionality is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication functionalityVSAvoidease of operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical button interfaces with a graphical user interface that uses visual metaphors and pointer-based interaction. Instead of requiring users to press physical buttons in specific sequences, the interface uses graphical representations of communication sessions that can be selected and managed through intuitive graphical operations, improving ease of operation while maintaining full functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The interface creates graphical copies or representations of communication sessions as visual elements on the display. These graphical representations replicate the essential information and controls needed to manage each communication mode, allowing users to interact with simplified visual models rather than complex button sequences, thereby improving ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Adaptability or versatility

If touch-sensitive displays reproduce feature buttons and menus, then interface versatility is improved, but user learning burden increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterface versatilityVSAvoiduser learning time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The interface dynamically adapts its presentation based on the current communication session state and mode. Graphical elements and available controls are automatically adjusted to match the active communication type, reducing the need for users to learn different interaction patterns. The interface evolves its appearance and behavior to match user needs in real-time, minimizing learning requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The interface changes its visual and interactive parameters based on the communication mode and session state. Different communication modes trigger different graphical representations and control sets, allowing the interface to adapt its parameters automatically. This dynamic parameter adjustment ensures that users always see and interact with the most relevant controls, reducing learning time while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS11460985B2System and method for managing trusted relationships in communication sessions using a graphical metaphor

Publication Date: 2022.10.04 AVAYA INC

AI summary

Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for linking participants in a communication session. The method includes presenting a set of connected graphical elements on a graphical user interface (GUI) representing a structure of the communication session and a trusted relationship between a first participant and a second participant in the communication session, establishing a bidirectional link between the first participant and the second participant, wherein the communication device exchanges trusted information between the first participant and the second participant, and displaying a depiction of the bidirectional link to at least one participant in the communication session. The method optionally includes negotiating a calendar event with the second participant via the bidirectional link based on the trusted information. Graphical elements associated with the first and second participants can depict one or more of presence, context, and persona information.