Unified Recipient Input for Group Messaging Interfaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current wireless communication devices face complexity in user interfaces when sending messages to multiple recipients, as they often require multiple input fields (TO, CC, BCC) which can complicate the messaging process.

Innovation Solution

The device simplifies the user interface by receiving input requests for creating a new message and selecting recipient identifiers, and formats these identifiers into either CC or BCC header fields based on whether the message is for a group or broadcast conversation, allowing for streamlined message transmission.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple input fields (TO, CC, BCC) are provided for entering recipient addresses, then the messaging capability is enhanced to support different types of recipients, but the user interface becomes overcomplicated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemessaging capabilityVSAvoiduser interface complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple recipient address input fields (TO, CC, BCC) into a single unified input field. The system automatically detects and categorizes recipient addresses, assigning them to appropriate header fields based on predefined rules or user preferences, thereby simplifying the user interface while maintaining full messaging functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically classifies recipient addresses into different header fields (TO, CC, BCC) without requiring manual user intervention. The messaging application analyzes the input addresses and autonomously determines the appropriate field for each recipient, reducing user burden while preserving adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple input fields (TO, CC, BCC) are provided for entering recipient addresses, then the messaging capability is enhanced to support different types of recipients, but the time required to complete message composition increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemessaging capabilityVSAvoidmessage composition time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By merging multiple recipient input fields into one unified field, the system eliminates the need for users to manually navigate between multiple fields and determine where each recipient address should be placed. This single-field approach significantly reduces the time required to complete message composition while maintaining the ability to support different recipient types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The automatic classification system performs the time-consuming task of sorting and categorizing recipient addresses without user intervention. The system quickly analyzes input addresses and assigns them to appropriate header fields, thereby reducing message composition time while preserving full messaging adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2381706B1User interface methods and apparatus for use in communicating messages to multiple recipients
Publication Date: 2015.02.25 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP2381706B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2381706B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2381706B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Methods and apparatus for use in communicating messages to multiple recipients are described. A wireless device receives a first input request for creating a new message, and also receives one or more second input requests for selecting a plurality of recipient identifiers for the new message. The wireless device also receives a third input request which indicates whether or not the message is for a group conversation. When the third input request indicates group conversation, the wireless device formats the recipient identifiers in first header fields (e.g., CC header fields) of an MMS message. When the third input request indicates no group conversation, the wireless device alternatively formats the recipient identifiers in second header fields (e.g., BCC header fields) of the MMS message. The MMS message is then transmitted to the recipient identifiers via a wireless network. Recipient devices may process the message as group or non-group (e.g., broadcast) depending on the field locations of the recipient identifiers.