Unified Messaging Interface for Seamless Communication Mode Transition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional social media applications lack seamless transition between different modes of electronic communication, such as text, voice, and video, requiring users to navigate through multiple windows or applications.

Innovation Solution

A messaging system with an interactive messaging interface that includes multiple views, allowing users to easily toggle between conversation views for text messaging, camera feed views for image and audio messaging, and enabling different functionalities for each mode of communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If users switch between different communication modes (text, voice, video) using conventional applications, then communication functionality is achieved, but the number of interface actions and navigation steps increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of transition between communication modesVSAvoidtime spent navigating between windows or applications

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple communication modes (text chat, voice calls, video calls) and their corresponding interfaces into a single unified application window. The system merges the conversation view, camera feed view, and interactive elements into one integrated interface, eliminating the need to switch between separate windows or applications for different communication modes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The messaging interface is designed as a multi-functional system that can perform text messaging, voice communication, and video communication within a single interface. The interface universally supports multiple communication modes simultaneously, allowing users to access different functionalities without leaving the application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate applications or windows are used for different communication modes, then each mode can be optimized independently, but device complexity and interface navigation increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication functionalityVSAvoidnumber of windows or applications

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent consolidates multiple communication functionalities and their interfaces into a single unified messaging application. Instead of requiring separate applications for text, voice, and video communication, the system merges all these modes into one interface that handles multiple communication types simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The messaging interface is designed as a universal platform that accommodates multiple communication modes (text, voice, video) within a single system. This multi-functional interface reduces the need for multiple separate applications while maintaining adaptability to different communication needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If users must navigate through multiple windows to access different communication modes, then mode-specific features can be isolated, but ease of operation decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterface navigationVSAvoidinterface structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the conversation view, camera feed view, and interactive communication elements into a single integrated interface. This consolidation allows users to access different communication modes without navigating through multiple windows, as all functionality is available within the unified interface structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12210736B2User interfaces to facilitate multiple modes of electronic communication

Publication Date: 2025.01.28 SNAP INC

AI summary

Aspects of the present disclosure involve a system comprising a computer-readable storage medium storing at least one program, method, and user interfaces to facilitate electronic chat conversations between users via multiple modes of electronic communication. A conversation view is displayed on a touch screen display of a client device. The conversation view presents messages exchanged between a first user and at least one other user in an electronic chat conversation. A user input comprising a touch gesture corresponding to an interaction with the display of the conversation view is received. Based on the user input, a camera feed view is displayed on the touch screen display. The camera feed view comprises a display of image data and enables a user to create a message comprising one or more images. A message is generated, and an indication of the message is displayed in the conversation view.