Conversational Agent Message Grouping for UI Clarity

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Solution Overview

Problem

The current presentation of message exchanges in conversational interfaces is not optimized for interactions with conversational agents, leading to cluttered screens, memory inefficiency, and user confusion, especially when dealing with multiple transactions.

Innovation Solution

A method for organizing instant messaging conversations between a terminal and a conversational agent, where messages are grouped using a unique identifier, allowing for the automatic reorganization and modification of display areas based on message characteristics, such as keywords or status updates.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If messages are displayed in chronological order in a conversational view, then user readability and interaction context are improved, but screen space and memory are wasted due to numerous exchanged messages

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser readabilityVSAvoidscreen space
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple messages exchanged within the same transaction into a single consolidated display element. Messages sharing the same transaction identifier are grouped together, showing only the essential information (first message, last message, and transaction status) rather than displaying each message individually, thus reducing screen space while maintaining readability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the conversation history into distinct transaction groups based on transaction identifiers. Each transaction is treated as a separate unit with its own display card, allowing users to easily distinguish between different transactions while reducing the overall number of displayed elements compared to showing every individual message.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Loss of information

If multiple messages are exchanged for a single transaction, then complete transaction information is captured, but user confusion increases and message identification becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetransaction information completenessVSAvoidmessage identification
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple messages from the same transaction into a single display card that preserves all essential transaction information. The card shows the first message, last message, intermediate messages summary, and current status, allowing users to understand the complete transaction without being confused by numerous individual messages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses visual indicators such as color-coded status badges and icons to represent different transaction states (pending, completed, failed). This visual coding system helps users quickly identify the status of each transaction without having to read through all messages, improving message identification while maintaining information completeness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

3Loss of information

If all exchanged messages are stored in memory, then complete conversation history is preserved, but memory efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconversation historyVSAvoidmemory usage
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent stores messages in memory grouped by transaction identifier rather than as individual isolated messages. This grouping allows the system to retain complete conversation history for each transaction while using less memory overall, as related messages are managed as a single unit with shared metadata and grouping information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3542497B1Method for organising a plurality of messages exchanged with a conversational agent
Publication Date: 2025.06.11 ORANGE SA
  • EP3542497B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3542497B1 patent drawingFigure 2a~2b
  • EP3542497B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for organising a plurality of messages from an instant messaging conversation between a terminal and a conversational agent in which a message comprises a grouping identifier, the method comprising, when a new message is exchanged, a step of selecting, from the messages of the conversation, at least one message having a grouping identifier that corresponds to the grouping identifier of the exchanged message, and when at least one message is selected, a step of modifying at least one display area on the screen of the terminal corresponding to at least one of the selected messages, according to at least one characteristic of the exchanged message.