Automated Assistant Suggestions Inside Multi-User Message Threads
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing message exchange applications require users to switch between applications to obtain additional information, disrupting the conversation flow and consuming computational resources.
Innovation Solution
Implementing an automated assistant within the message exchange thread to provide contextually relevant suggestions, allowing users to submit queries directly within the thread and receive responsive content without leaving the application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If users switch to a different application to obtain additional information, then they can access the desired information, but the conversation flow is disrupted and computational resources are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the information retrieval function with the messaging application by integrating an automated assistant directly into the message exchange thread. This allows users to obtain additional information without leaving the messaging app, combining two previously separate functions (messaging and information search) into a single integrated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated assistant acts as an intermediary between users and external information sources. Instead of users directly switching to a browser or search application, the automated assistant receives their requests within the messaging thread, processes them, and returns relevant information, thereby mediating the information retrieval process and eliminating the need for application switching.
2Loss of information
If users switch to a different application to obtain additional information, then they can access the desired information, but computational resources are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
By merging the information retrieval capability into the messaging application itself, the system eliminates the need to launch and switch to separate browser or search applications. This consolidation reduces the computational overhead associated with application lifecycle management, memory allocation, and resource provisioning that would otherwise be required when users switch applications.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated assistant provides self-service information retrieval within the messaging context. Instead of requiring users to manually navigate to external applications and perform searches, the assistant autonomously processes information requests, formulates queries, retrieves relevant data, and presents results directly in the thread, thereby eliminating the computational resources that would be consumed by user-driven application switching and manual information gathering.
3Loss of information
If users switch to a different application to obtain additional information, then they can access the desired information, but the flow of conversation is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The integration of information retrieval capabilities directly into the messaging application allows users to access additional information without interrupting the conversation flow. The automated assistant processes information requests and delivers results within the same interface, eliminating the time loss associated with switching applications and maintaining continuous engagement in the conversation.
Solution Approach 2:
The automated assistant performs preliminary actions by proactively providing information suggestions and contextually relevant content within the messaging thread. This anticipatory approach allows users to obtain needed information before it becomes necessary to switch applications, thereby preventing conversation disruptions and maintaining the natural flow of discussion.
Data Source
AI summary
Providing at least one contextually relevant suggestion to one or more users of an ongoing message exchange thread between the users. The suggestion is provided for presentation to the user(s) via user interface output device(s) of computing device(s) of the user(s). The suggestion indicates a query that can be submitted to an automated assistant to cause the automated assistant to incorporate, into the message exchange thread, content that is responsive to the query. In some implementations, the suggestion is a selectable suggestion and content that is responsive to the query is incorporated into the message exchange thread in response to user interface input that is directed to the selectable suggestion. In some implementations, the suggestion is determined based on one or more messages that have already been communicated between users of the message exchange thread.