Communication Filtering Interface for Context-Based Source Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face challenges in managing communications from various sources, as they lack a straightforward method to associate preferences with specific subjects or contexts without either allowing all communications from a source or filtering out all communications from that source.

Innovation Solution

A user interface is developed that allows users to select sources and specify the amount of context/communications related to a specified subject, using context determination through keyword analysis and graphical elements for user profile management, enabling users to control the receipt of communications based on context and source.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If users filter out every communication from a specific source, then the user receives fewer unwanted communications, but the user also loses access to potentially relevant communications from that source

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveunwanted communicationsVSAvoidaccess to relevant communications
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments communications from a source by subject matter, allowing users to selectively receive or filter communications based on their topic. Instead of treating all communications from a source uniformly, the system divides them into categories and applies different filtering rules to each category, enabling granular control over information flow.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different filtering qualities to different aspects of the same communication stream. By associating user preferences with specific subjects or contexts, the system allows certain communications from a source to pass through while blocking others, creating localized filtering behavior rather than global filtering.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Adaptability or versatility

If users permit every communication from a particular source, then the user receives all potentially relevant content, but the user is overwhelmed by excessive communications

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess to relevant contentVSAvoidamount of communications
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the communication stream by subject matter, allowing users to identify and select only the portions of communications that are relevant to their interests. This segmentation enables users to maintain access to relevant content while automatically excluding irrelevant communications, thus reducing the overall quantity of received messages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements partial action by allowing users to selectively receive only certain subjects or contexts from a source rather than all communications. This partial reception strategy enables users to obtain sufficient relevant information without being overwhelmed by the complete communication stream.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Ease of operation

If users manually manage each communication from each source, then the user has complete control over received content, but the complexity of management becomes unmanageable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol over received contentVSAvoidmanagement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service by automatically analyzing incoming communications, determining their subject matter, and applying pre-configured user preferences to filter and organize content. The system serves itself by autonomously categorizing and routing communications based on user-defined criteria, eliminating the need for manual management of each individual message.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces an intermediary layer that automatically processes communications between the user and the multiple sources. This intermediary analyzes communication content, determines subjects and contexts, and applies filtering rules, thereby simplifying the user interface and reducing management complexity while maintaining comprehensive control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Manufacturing precision

If the system filters communications based on detailed subject preferences, then the relevance of received content increases, but the complexity of specifying preferences increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverelevance of contentVSAvoidpreference specification complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adds a new dimension to preference specification by introducing contextual categories that group related subjects together. Instead of requiring users to specify preferences for each individual subject, the system organizes subjects into broader contexts, allowing users to make preference decisions at a higher level of abstraction while still achieving detailed content filtering.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP2742402B1Method and user interface controlling communications and content from sources
Publication Date: 2020.12.30 INTERDIGITAL CE PATENT HOLDINGS SAS
  • EP2742402B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2742402B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2742402B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The present disclosure is directed towards managing communications from different sources is described where such a management operation can be controlled using a user interface. Sources are selected using the user interface such that communications concerning a specified subject are received from such sources. The user interface can also be used to specific the amount of context/communications that come from different sources concerning the specified subject.