Unified Message Input for Automatic Channel Selection

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic communication systems are cluttered and inefficient, making it difficult for users to intuitively select the appropriate communication channel for sending messages, as interfaces are often dispersed across different devices and platforms, and users may be unsure of their recipients' preferences.

Innovation Solution

A universal input field that allows users to enter messages and select recipients, with the system determining and automatically selecting the optimal communication channel based on stored identifiers and user preferences, or allowing manual selection and distribution across multiple channels.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple communication interfaces are provided across different devices and platforms, then users have more communication channel options, but the system complexity and user difficulty in selecting appropriate channels increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication channel optionsVSAvoidinterface dispersion

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent consolidates multiple communication interfaces (email, SMS, instant messaging, social media) into a single unified input field. This merging approach allows users to access all communication channels through one interface, reducing the complexity of navigating across multiple devices and platforms while maintaining versatile communication options.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The unified input field serves as a universal interface that handles multiple communication functions simultaneously. It can compose and send messages across different communication channels (email, text messages, social media posts) through a single location, making the system multi-functional and adaptable to various communication needs without requiring separate interfaces for each channel.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If a unified input field consolidates multiple communication interfaces, then ease of operation improves, but the system must handle increased complexity in channel selection logic

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterface consolidationVSAvoidchannel selection logic

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically determines the appropriate communication channel by analyzing recipient information and user preferences stored in the database, without requiring manual intervention from the user. The channel selection logic operates autonomously, using predefined criteria and stored data to make intelligent decisions about which communication channel to use, thereby maintaining ease of operation while handling the complexity internally.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses stored user preferences and communication history in the database to inform channel selection decisions. By continuously learning from past communication patterns and recipient responses, the system refines its channel selection logic, improving accuracy over time while keeping the user interface simple and easy to operate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Productivity

If automatic channel selection is implemented, then productivity increases, but loss of information about user preferences may occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemessage distribution efficiencyVSAvoidrecipient preferences

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system proactively collects and stores recipient preferences and communication channel information in a database before automatic channel selection is needed. By gathering this information in advance through user interactions and communication history, the system ensures that preferences are preserved and readily available for efficient automatic channel determination, preventing any loss of preference information.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12483525B2Systems and methods for electronic distribution of messages over communication channels

Publication Date: 2025.11.25 VERIZON PATENT & LICENSING INC

AI summary

Systems and methods are provided for electronically distributing messages over communication channels. In accordance with one implementation, a system is provided that comprises at least one database for storing instructions for operating an input field and transmitting messages over a plurality of different communication channels, and at least one processing system configured to execute the instructions, to perform a method. The method may include displaying to a user, over a network, an input field for entering messages and receiving from the user, over the network and by entry into the input field, a message, an identification of one or more recipients, and a selection of at least one communication channel. The method may also include determining whether an identifier is stored in relation to each recipient for the selected communication channel and electronically sending, to each recipient with a stored identifier, the message via the selected communication channel.