Unified Interface for Multimedia Communication Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face frustration and reduced productivity due to the cumbersome process of managing multiple communication applications and media types during interactions, requiring manual setup for switching between different communication methods.

Innovation Solution

A client computing system with a graphical user interface that includes a contact list and a conversation container, allowing users to intuitively manage multimedia conversations by dragging and dropping contact objects to initiate communication sessions across various media types, utilizing a conversation manager to process communications through different protocols like VOIP, RTP, SIP, and HTTP.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If users manually set up connections for each communication media type, then communication functionality is achieved, but user productivity decreases and frustration increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of managing multiple communication applicationsVSAvoiduser productivity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple communication applications and media types into a single unified interface. The conversation container aggregates contacts from different communication platforms (email, instant messaging, voice calls, video conferencing) into one location, allowing users to manage all communications through a single system rather than switching between multiple applications manually.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The unified communication interface provides multi-functional capability by supporting multiple communication media types (email, instant messaging, voice over IP, video conferencing, desktop sharing) within a single application. This universal interface eliminates the need for users to manually set up separate connections for each media type, as the system handles protocol conversion and connection management automatically.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If users manually connect each communication media type, then communication sessions are established, but the process becomes cumbersome and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to use multiple media typesVSAvoidtime to set up communication sessions

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by automatically establishing communication sessions when contacts are added to the conversation container. Instead of requiring users to manually configure each media type, the system pre-configures the necessary connections and protocols in the background, allowing users to simply add contacts and the system handles the rest automatically.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The unified communication interface acts as an intermediary between users and multiple communication protocols. It mediates the complex process of establishing connections across different media types by translating user actions into appropriate protocol-specific commands, thereby eliminating the need for users to understand or manually configure each communication protocol.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple communication applications are used, then diverse communication methods are available, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvevariety of communication methodsVSAvoidcomplexity of managing multiple applications

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple communication applications into a single unified interface that provides access to diverse communication methods. The conversation container consolidates contacts from email, instant messaging, voice calls, and video conferencing into one location, while the system maintains the ability to use different media types through a standardized interface, thereby reducing the perceived complexity for users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The unified communication interface provides universal access to multiple communication methods through a single application. It implements a standardized interface that can handle different media types (email, instant messaging, voice over IP, video conferencing, desktop sharing) without requiring users to manage multiple separate applications, thereby maintaining versatility while reducing system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS10666524B2Collaborative multimedia communication

Publication Date: 2020.05.26 RIBBON COMMUNICATIONS OPERATING CO INC

AI summary

A method includes, within a Graphical User Interface (GUI), displaying a contact list and a conversation container to a user, the contact list including a plurality of contact objects, the conversation container being an active object used to represent an ongoing conversation, receiving input from a user through the GUI, the input instructing the client computing system to move a first contact object from the plurality of contact objects over the conversation container and drop the first contact object into the conversation container, in response to dropping the first contact object into the conversation container, instructing a server to open a first communication session between the client system and a first device associated with the one of the contact objects, the first communication session being of a first media type, and engaging in communication through the first communication session with the first device.