Unified computing device interface for assembly of a plurality of types of digital content for transmission to a plurality of target destinations

• US 10,019,133 B1
• Filed: 07/10/2017
• Issued: 07/10/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 04/02/2017
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Charles Russell Mcneill
• Original Assignee: Charles Russell Mcneill
• Inventors: McNeill, Charles Russell
• Primary Examiner(s): Duong, Hien L
• Application Number:
  US15/646,029
• Time in Patent Office: 365 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2203/04808 Several contacts: gestures triggering a specific function, e.g. scrolling, zooming, right-click, when the user establishes several contacts with the surface simultaneously; e.g. using several fingers or a combination of fingers and pen
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04817 using icons graphical or visual programming using iconic symbols G06F8/34
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0482 Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0486 Drag-and-drop
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0488 using a touch-screen or digitiser, e.g. input of commands through traced gestures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04883 for inputting data by handwriting, e.g. gesture or text
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/01 Social networking
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/04 Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/046 Interoperability with other network applications or services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/10 Multimedia information
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/18 Commands or executable codes
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/42 Mailbox-related aspects, e.g. synchronisation of mailboxes
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/52 for supporting social networking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/56 Unified messaging, e.g. interactions between e-mail, instant messaging or converged IP messaging [CPM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/141 Setup of application sessions admission control or resource allocation in data switching networks H04L47/70
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/75 Indicating network or usage conditions on the user display
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/7243 with interactive means for internal management of messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72436 for text messaging, e.g. short messaging services [SMS] or e-mails
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72439 for image or video messaging
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/22 including a touch pad, a touch sensor or a touch detector digitizers for touch screens G06F3/041

Abstract

Presented are a method, a system, and a computer program product for a unified graphical user interface for computing devices, enabling assembly of digital content for transmission to a plurality of network-based target destinations. The process may be initiated using content newly created or stored on the device, or using content accessible to the device by network connection. Destinations may be any communications services or upload destinations to which the device has access, and for some types of communication may be customized for singular recipients or groups of recipients. Icons representing content and one or more destinations are associated by user actions in the interface to establish the transmission to be executed. The interface also enables launching of applications installed on the device that are represented by the target destination icons. Embodiments described include those suited to both cursor-controlled devices and touchscreen-controlled devices.

Claims

1. A method for assembly of at least one of a plurality of types of source content on a computing device with a graphical user interface, and executing transmission of the source content to at least one of a plurality of network destinations, the method comprising:

upon detecting user input to initiate a message, displaying a message assembly interface for input of the source content to be transmitted to a target destination, and accepting user input of the source content therein, wherein the message assembly interface is visually distinguished from an enclosing or adjacent interface of which it is a temporarily displayed subset;

displaying one or more destination configuration icons, the destination configuration icons being interactive elements within the message assembly interface that identify destinations for transmission of the source content, the one or more destination configuration icons to be optionally selected by the user in order to tentatively specify the intended transmission destinations and to configure destination-specific requirements, the destination-specific requirements being any required data input fields and any limitations on data type or quantity associated with the target destination;

upon detecting user selection of the one or more destination configuration icons, configuring required fields of the message assembly interface and enabling notifications about any relevant content limits, according to the destination-specific requirements;

upon detecting user input confirming completion of assembly of the source content, displaying the source content as a source content icon representing the source content in its entirety;

displaying one or more target destination icons within the enclosing or adjacent interface and outside the message assembly interface, the one or more target destination icons representing user-configurable transmission destinations for the source content, the one or more target destination icons to be selected by the user as an association with the source content icon in order to configure transmission to the intended destinations, with each of the target destination icons serving as an alias for execution of a transmission function of a communications subsystem of the device, or program application installed on the device, capable of connecting with a communications service or data submission portal on a network;

displaying the source content icon and the one or more target destination icons concurrently within the enclosing graphical user interface, so as to enable association of the source content and the target destination by selection of one or more of the target destination icons;

storing in memory the configurations of the one or more target destination icons such that when the number of the one or more target destination icons is in excess of the number that can be displayed in the available display area of the enclosing graphical user interface, a target icon navigation function is enabled to provide visual and functional access to the one or more target destination icons that are initially hidden and stored in memory;

accepting user input for configuration of an association between the source content and at least one of the one or more target destinations, if not previously established from selection of the one or more destination configuration icons, with the input being selection of one of the one or more target destination icons, or successive and additive selection of more than one of the target destination icons, whereby the association is stored in memory for subsequent transmission to the one or more target destinations;

wherein an indication of a selection state of one or more of the target destination icons is presented to the user as confirmation of a temporary configuration for transmission of the source content to one or more of the target destinations, the form of indication being any of visual, auditory, or haptic, or combinations thereof, and

wherein user input for selection of the one or more target destinations may be extended to any initially hidden subset of the target destination icons by activating the target icon navigation function, thus revealing more of the one or more target destination icons for selection that were initially hidden, and thereby enabling the process of selecting a plurality of the target destination icons to be accomplished in a contiguous series of selection actions;

evaluating each association of the source content and the target destination by comparing the status of input fields, content data types, and content data quantities of the assembled message with the target-specific requirements, and storing the results in memory as a target requirements evaluation result;

upon receiving input to execute transmission, retrieving from memory for each target destination the target requirements evaluation result, and separately for each instance not in compliance with the target-specific requirements, displaying to the user a notification of discrepancies and displaying editable fields for correction of each data type requiring input or modification;

upon satisfaction of the target-specific requirements, sorting specific combinations of content and associated data for each destination as predetermined by the target-specific requirements previously stored, and executing transmission of the source content to the one or more target destinations previously saved in memory;

displaying a message of confirmation of the transmission actions, which may include at least one detail of the source content and target transmission result;

upon receiving user input to activate one of the one or more target destination icons by an alternate input method distinguishable from that used for configuring an association between the source content and at least one of the target destinations, executing any installed application associated with the target destination icon and displaying its default interface.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more target destination icons, when existing in multiple, are displayed in a generally circular or ring-like array and wherein the source content icon, when conditionally displayed, is located centrally and thus surrounded by the generally circular or ring-like array such that all the target destination icons are approximately equidistant from the source content icon.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the range of source content types available for input into the message assembly interface are selected from the group consisting of:

a) text input by the user by any means available on the device;

b) data from the media acquisition capabilities of the computing device, including but not limited to image, video, and audio recording functions;

c) data stored in the memory of the device;

d) data from internal sensory capabilities of the device, including but not limited to location information and motion sensing;

e) data from specialized sensing capabilities available by connection to a peripheral device;

f) graphic images created by touchscreen drawing or use of a stylus on a compatible display;

g) data stored in any external location to which the device has access by network connection;

h) and combinations thereof.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising an option to create the target destination icon as a customized instance associated with a communication service application, wherein the target destination is preconfigured for communication with one or more specific recipients, the addressing options being selected from the group consisting of:

a) a single recipient addressed in one type of communications service;

b) a single recipient addressed in two or more types of communications services;

c) a plurality of recipients addressed within the same type of communications service;

d) a plurality of recipients addressed in two or more types of communications services;

e) and combinations thereof.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein entities comprising a plurality of recipients are represented by icons arranged in a generally circular or ring-like array, the full display of the array being enabled upon user command, and by memory storage allowing the number of the icons to exceed that which can be displayed in available graphical user interface area;

furthermore;

a) displaying an option to choose a subset of the recipients for a particular transmission, and

b) providing a navigation function allowing display of, and access to any initially hidden recipient icons stored in memory.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising an option for the user to create the target destination as a customized instance for data transmission, wherein the target destination is preconfigured with the required connection information that may include network identity, authorization credentials, and server path information.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the entire interface described therein can be displayed as superimposed over other screen content of the computing device, and enabled by user input to be hidden or revealed.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein activation of the message assembly interface, selection of the one or more destination configuration icons, selection of the source content icon and successive and additive selection of the one or more target destination icons, and the optional activation of the target icon navigation function, are accomplished by detecting a user input means selected from the group consisting of:

a) selection in a touchscreen display, comprising detection of touch points, variable-force touch, and gestures;

b) selection in a touchscreen display, comprising detection of touch points, variable-force touch, and gestures combined with drag-and-drop or drag-and-hover of the source content icon over the one or more target destination icons and optionally activating the target icon navigation function;

c) selection of icons by a moving cursor, comprising detection of click actions;

d) selection of icons by a moving cursor, comprising detection of click actions combined with drag-and-drop or drag-and-hover of the source content icon over the one or more target destination icons and optionally activating the target icon navigation function;

e) selection of icons by voice command;

f) selection of icons by eye-tracking control;

g) selection of icons by keyboard commands or other assistive technology;

h) and combinations thereof.

9. A system for assembly of at least one of a plurality of types of source content on a computing device with a graphical user interface, and executing transmission of the source content to at least one of a plurality of network destinations, the system comprising a processor interconnected with a memory component, a form of internal data storage, a display, an input device or input component, and a communication subsystem configured to:

upon detecting user input to initiate a message, control the system to generate a message assembly interface for input of the source content to be transmitted to a target destination, and accepting user input of the source content therein, wherein the message assembly interface is visually distinguished from an enclosing or adjacent interface of which it is a temporarily displayed subset;

control the system to display one or more destination configuration icons, the destination configuration icons being interactive elements within the message assembly interface that identify destinations for transmission of the source content, the one or more destination configuration icons to be optionally selected by the user in order to tentatively specify the intended transmission destinations and to configure destination-specific requirements, the destination-specific requirements being any required data input fields and any limitations on data type or quantity associated with the target destination;

upon detecting user selection of the one or more destination configuration icons, control the system to configure required fields of the message assembly interface and to enable notifications about any relevant content limits, according to the destination-specific requirements;

upon detecting user input confirming completion of assembly of the source content, control the system to display the source content as a source content icon representing the source content in its entirety;

control the system to display one or more target destination icons within the enclosing or adjacent interface and outside the message assembly interface, the one or more target destination icons representing user-configurable transmission destinations for the source content, the one or more target destination icons to be selected by the user as an association with the source content icon in order to configure transmission to the intended destinations, with each of the target destination icons serving as an alias for execution of a transmission function of a communications subsystem of the device, or program application installed on the device, capable of connecting with a communications service or data submission portal on a network;

control the system to display the source content icon and the one or more target destination icons concurrently within the enclosing graphical user interface, so as to enable association of the source content and the target destination by selection of one or more of the target destination icons;

control system memory to store the configurations of the one or more target destination icons such that when the number of the one or more target destination icons is in excess of the number that can be displayed in the available display area of the enclosing graphical user interface, a target icon navigation function is enabled to provide visual and functional access to the one or more target destination icons that are initially hidden and stored in memory;

control the input device or input component of the system to accept user input for configuration of an association between the source content and at least one of the one or more target destinations, if not previously established from selection of the one or more destination configuration icons, with the input being selection of one of the one or more target destination icons, or successive and additive selection of more than one of the target destination icons, whereby the association is stored in memory for subsequent transmission to the one or more target destinations;

wherein an indication of a selection state of one or more of the target destination icons is presented to the user as confirmation of a temporary configuration for transmission of the source content to one or more of the target destinations, the form of indication being any of visual, auditory, or haptic, or combinations thereof, and

wherein user input for selection of the one or more target destinations may be extended to any initially hidden subset of the target destination icons by activating the target icon navigation function, thus revealing more of the one or more target destination icons for selection that were initially hidden, and thereby enabling the process of selecting a plurality of the target destination icons to be accomplished in a contiguous series of selection actions;

control the processor to evaluate each association of the source content and the target destination by comparing the status of input fields, content data types, and content data quantities of the assembled message with the target-specific requirements, and storing the results in memory as a target requirements evaluation result;

control the input device or input component to receive input to execute transmission, to retrieve from memory for each target destination the target requirements evaluation result, and separately for each instance not in compliance with the target-specific requirements, to control the display to generate a notification of discrepancies and to generate editable fields for correction of each data type requiring input or modification;

upon satisfaction of the target-specific requirements, to control the processor to sort specific combinations of content and associated data for each destination as predetermined by the target-specific requirements previously stored, and to execute transmission of the source content to the one or more target destinations previously saved in memory;

control the display to generate a message of confirmation of the transmission actions, which may include at least one detail of the source content and target transmission result;

upon receiving user input to activate one of the one or more target destination icons by an alternate input method distinguishable from that used for configuring an association between the source content and at least one of the target destinations, to control the system to execute any installed application associated with the target destination icon and to display its default interface.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the one or more target destination icons, when existing in multiple, are displayed in a generally circular or ring-like array and wherein the source content icon, when conditionally displayed, is located centrally and thus surrounded by the generally circular or ring-like array such that all the target destination icons are approximately equidistant from the source content icon.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the range of source content types available for input into the message assembly interface are selected from the group consisting of:

a) text input by the user by any means available on the device;

b) data from the media acquisition capabilities of the computing device, including but not limited to image, video, and audio recording functions;

c) data stored in the memory of the device;

d) data from internal sensory capabilities of the device, including but not limited to location information and motion sensing;

e) data from specialized sensing capabilities available by connection to a peripheral device;

f) graphic images created by touchscreen drawing or use of a stylus on a compatible display;

g) data stored in any external location to which the device has access by network connection;

h) and combinations thereof.

12. The system of claim 9, further comprising an option to create the target destination icon as a customized instance associated with a communication service application, wherein the target destination is preconfigured for communication with one or more specific recipients, the addressing options being selected from the group consisting of:

a) a single recipient addressed in one type of communications service;

b) a single recipient addressed in two or more types of communications services;

c) a plurality of recipients addressed within the same type of communications service;

d) a plurality of recipients addressed in two or more types of communications services;

e) and combinations thereof.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein entities comprising a plurality of recipients are represented by icons arranged in a generally circular or ring-like array, the full display of the array being enabled upon user command, and by memory storage allowing the number of the icons to exceed that which can be displayed in available graphical user interface area;

furthermore;

a) displaying an option to choose a subset of the recipients for a particular transmission, and

b) providing a navigation function allowing display of and access to any initially hidden recipient icons stored in memory.

14. The system of claim 9, further comprising an option for the user to create the target destination as a customized instance for data transmission, wherein the target destination is preconfigured with the required connection information that may include network identity, authorization credentials, and server path information.

15. The system of claim 9, wherein the entire interface described therein can be displayed as superimposed over other screen content of the computing device, and enabled by user input to be hidden or revealed.

16. The system of claim 9, wherein activation of the message assembly interface, selection of the one or more destination configuration icons, selection of the source content icon and successive and additive selection of the one or more target destination icons, and the optional activation of the target icon navigation function, are accomplished by detecting a user input means selected from the group consisting of:

a) selection in a touchscreen display, comprising detection of touch points, variable-force touch, and gestures;

b) selection in a touchscreen display, comprising detection of touch points, variable-force touch, and gestures combined with drag-and-drop or drag-and-hover of the source content icon over the one or more target destination icons and optionally activating the target icon navigation function;

c) selection of icons by a moving cursor, comprising detection of click actions;

d) selection of icons by a moving cursor, comprising detection of click actions combined with drag-and-drop or drag-and-hover of the source content icon over the one or more target destination icons and optionally activating the target icon navigation function;

e) selection of icons by voice command;

f) selection of icons by eye-tracking control;

g) selection of icons by keyboard commands or other assistive technology;

h) and combinations thereof.

17. A computer program product, comprising a non-transitory computer usable medium having a computer readable program code, which when executed will implement a method for assembly of at least one of a plurality of types of source content on a computing device with a graphical user interface, and executing transmission of the source content to at least one of a plurality of network destinations, the method comprising:

upon detecting user input to initiate a message, displaying a message assembly interface for input of the source content to be transmitted to a target destination, and accepting user input of the source content therein, wherein the message assembly interface is visually distinguished from an enclosing or adjacent interface of which it is a temporarily displayed subset;

displaying one or more destination configuration icons, the destination configuration icons being interactive elements within the message assembly interface that identify destinations for transmission of the source content, the one or more destination configuration icons to be optionally selected by the user in order to tentatively specify the intended transmission destinations and to configure destination-specific requirements, the destination-specific requirements being any required data input fields and any limitations on data type or quantity associated with the target destination;

upon detecting user selection of the one or more destination configuration icons, configuring required fields of the message assembly interface and enabling notifications about any relevant content limits, according to the destination-specific requirements;

upon detecting user input confirming completion of assembly of the source content, displaying the source content as a source content icon representing the source content in its entirety;

displaying one or more target destination icons within the enclosing or adjacent interface and outside the message assembly interface, the one or more target destination icons representing user-configurable transmission destinations for the source content, the one or more target destination icons to be selected by the user as an association with the source content icon in order to configure transmission to the intended destinations, with each of the target destination icons serving as an alias for execution of a transmission function of a communications subsystem of the device, or program application installed on the device, capable of connecting with a communications service or data submission portal on a network;

displaying the source content icon and the one or more target destination icons concurrently within the enclosing graphical user interface, so as to enable association of the source content and the target destination by selection of one or more of the target destination icons;

storing in memory the configurations of the one or more target destination icons such that when the number of the one or more target destination icons is in excess of the number that can be displayed in the available display area of the enclosing graphical user interface, a target icon navigation function is enabled to provide visual and functional access to the one or more target destination icons that are initially hidden and stored in memory;

accepting user input for configuration of an association between the source content and at least one of the one or more target destinations, if not previously established from selection of the one or more destination configuration icons, with the input being selection of one of the one or more target destination icons, or successive and additive selection of more than one of the target destination icons, whereby the association is stored in memory for subsequent transmission to the one or more target destinations;

wherein an indication of a selection state of one or more of the target destination icons is presented to the user as confirmation of a temporary configuration for transmission of the source content to one or more of the target destinations, the form of indication being any of visual, auditory, or haptic, or combinations thereof, and

wherein user input for selection of the one or more target destinations may be extended to any initially hidden subset of the target destination icons by activating the target icon navigation function, thus revealing more of the one or more target destination icons for selection that were initially hidden, and thereby enabling the process of selecting a plurality of the target destination icons to be accomplished in a contiguous series of selection actions;

evaluating each association of the source content and the target destination by comparing the status of input fields, content data types, and content data quantities of the assembled message with the target-specific requirements, and storing the results in memory as a target requirements evaluation result;

upon receiving input to execute transmission, retrieving from memory for each target destination the target requirements evaluation result, and separately for each instance not in compliance with the target-specific requirements, displaying to the user a notification of discrepancies and displaying editable fields for correction of each data type requiring input or modification;

upon satisfaction of the target-specific requirements, sorting specific combinations of content and associated data for each destination as predetermined by the target-specific requirements previously stored, and executing transmission of the source content to the one or more target destinations previously saved in memory;

displaying a message of confirmation of the transmission actions, which may include at least one detail of the source content and target transmission result;

upon receiving user input to activate one of the one or more target destination icons by an alternate input method distinguishable from that used for configuring an association between the source content and at least one of the target destinations, executing any installed application associated with the target destination icon and displaying its default interface.

18. The non-transitory computer usable medium having a computer readable program code of claim 17, wherein the one or more target destination icons, when existing in multiple, are displayed in a generally circular or ring-like array and wherein the source content icon, when conditionally displayed, is located centrally and thus surrounded by the generally circular or ring-like array such that all the target destination icons are approximately equidistant from the source content icon.

19. The non-transitory computer usable medium having a computer readable program code of claim 17, wherein the range of source content types available for input into the message assembly interface are selected from the group consisting of:

a) text input by the user by any means available on the device;

b) data from the media acquisition capabilities of the computing device, including but not limited to image, video, and audio recording functions;

c) data stored in the memory of the device;

d) data from internal sensory capabilities of the device, including but not limited to location information and motion sensing;

e) data from specialized sensing capabilities available by connection to a peripheral device;

f) graphic images created by touchscreen drawing or use of a stylus on a compatible display;

g) data stored in any external location to which the device has access by network connection;

h) and combinations thereof.

20. The non-transitory computer usable medium having a computer readable program code of claim 17, further comprising an option to create the target destination icon as a customized instance associated with a communication service application, wherein the target destination is preconfigured for communication with one or more specific recipients, the addressing options being selected from the group consisting of:

a) a single recipient addressed in one type of communications service;

b) a single recipient addressed in two or more types of communications services;

c) a plurality of recipients addressed within the same type of communications service;

d) a plurality of recipients addressed in two or more types of communications services;

e) and combinations thereof.

21. The non-transitory computer usable medium having a computer readable program code of claim 20, wherein entities comprising a plurality of recipients are represented by icons arranged in a generally circular or ring-like array, the full display of the array being enabled upon user command, and by memory storage allowing the number of the icons to exceed that which can be displayed in available graphical user interface area;

furthermore;

a) displaying an option to choose a subset of the recipients for a particular transmission, and

b) providing a navigation function allowing display of and access to any initially hidden recipient icons stored in memory.

22. The non-transitory computer usable medium having a computer readable program code of claim 17, further comprising an option for the user to create the target destination as a customized instance for data transmission, wherein the target destination is preconfigured with the required connection information that may include network identity, authorization credentials, and server path information.

23. The non-transitory computer usable medium having a computer readable program code of claim 17, wherein the entire interface described therein can be displayed as superimposed over other screen content of the computing device, and enabled by user input to be hidden or revealed.

24. The non-transitory computer usable medium having a computer readable program code of claim 17, wherein activation of the message assembly interface, selection of the one or more destination configuration icons, selection of the source content icon and successive and additive selection of the one or more target destination icons, and the optional activation of the target icon navigation function, are accomplished by detecting a user input means selected from the group consisting of:

a) selection in a touchscreen display, comprising detection of touch points, variable-force touch, and gestures;

b) selection in a touchscreen display, comprising detection of touch points, variable-force touch, and gestures combined with drag-and-drop or drag-and-hover of the source content icon over the one or more target destination icons and optionally activating the target icon navigation function;

c) selection of icons by a moving cursor, comprising detection of click actions;

d) selection of icons by a moving cursor, comprising detection of click actions combined with drag-and-drop or drag-and-hover of the source content icon over the one or more target destination icons and optionally activating the target icon navigation function;

e) selection of icons by voice command;

f) selection of icons by eye-tracking control;

g) selection of icons by keyboard commands or other assistive technology;

h) and combinations thereof.