Multi-function Control for Voice Communication Status Notifications
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current wireless telephones are cumbersome for exchanging recorded voice communications, requiring multiple steps and actions to initiate, send, and manage audio recordings, and lack real-time status notifications for recipients.
Innovation Solution
A system and graphical user interface that allows users to create and send audio recordings with a single multi-function control, providing real-time notifications of recording status, including commencement and playback, and enabling seamless integration with textual messages, using data communication channels for efficient media exchange across different devices and platforms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If multiple controls and steps are used to initiate and send audio recordings, then the recording functionality is comprehensive and reliable, but the ease of operation deteriorates and the process becomes cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling a single control element to serve multiple purposes: initiating audio recording, sending recordings, and managing communication status. This reduces the number of separate controls needed while maintaining comprehensive functionality for voice communication operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges multiple operations (recording initiation, recording sending, and status notification) into a unified control mechanism. By combining these functions into a single interactive element, the system reduces operational complexity while preserving all necessary capabilities for audio communication.
2Reliability
If real-time status notifications are implemented, then the communication reliability and user experience improve, but the system complexity and data processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms that provide real-time status notifications to users during recording and communication processes. This includes notifying users when recordings are sent, received, or played back, enhancing reliability by keeping users informed of communication status without requiring complex manual checking.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring notification protocols and status tracking mechanisms before communication occurs. This allows real-time status information to be automatically generated and transmitted without adding significant complexity during the actual communication process.
3Ease of operation
If a single multi-function control is used for recording and messaging, then the ease of operation improves, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring the current mode of operation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs visual indicators that change appearance based on the current operational mode. Different colors or visual states indicate whether the control is ready for recording, sending, or other operations, making the current mode easily detectable through intuitive visual feedback rather than complex displays.
Solution Approach 2:
The control element dynamically changes its properties (such as appearance, color, or responsiveness) based on the current operational context. This dynamic behavior provides immediate visual feedback about the expected operation mode, helping users understand how to interact with the control without requiring complex interfaces.
Data Source
AI summary
A system, apparatus, graphical user interface and methods are provided for conducting electronic voice communications with status notifications. A user of a first portable device executing a communication application selects a multi-function control that automatically initiates an audio recording, which is automatically sent toward another participant of an active communication session when the control is released. The same multi-function control may be used to transmit a textual message. A representation of the recording is displayed on the user's device, with an indicator that changes appearance when the other participant plays the recording. In addition, when one user initiates an audio recording that will be automatically sent to another user, the other user's device is advised of the initiation of recording and displays that status for the other user.