Context Service for Multi-Modal Communication Summary
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of modern communications, involving multiple modalities and media, makes it difficult for users to quickly determine the context of communications, leading to inefficiencies and misunderstandings, especially when communications are infrequent or span across various platforms.
Innovation Solution
A system that retrieves and presents contextual information automatically or on demand, using a context service to search communication logs, archives, and databases, filtering and summarizing communications based on user preferences, media type, and communication history, allowing users to control the level of detail and access to complete contextual information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If users search through communication histories and archives to find context, then complete communication context can be recovered, but the process is inefficient and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically searching communication histories, archives, and storage folders before the user needs the context. A context service proactively retrieves and structures relevant communication data, so when a user initiates a communication, the context is already prepared and available, eliminating the need for manual searching through archives.
Solution Approach 2:
A context service acts as an intermediary between the user's communication needs and the stored communication data. This service automatically searches multiple sources (communication histories, archives, storage folders), structures the results, and presents contextual information in a user-friendly format, mediating the complex process of context retrieval behind a simple user interface.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple communication modalities are integrated, then comprehensive communication coverage is achieved, but complexity of determining communication context increases
Solution Approach 1:
The context service is designed with multi-functionality to handle various communication modalities (email, IM, voice, video, blogs, social media) through a single unified system. The service can search and process different types of communication data using the same underlying mechanisms, providing universal context retrieval across all communication platforms without requiring separate systems for each modality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system segments the complex task of context determination into manageable components: a discovery module that identifies relevant communications, a relevancy module that scores and ranks results, and a presentation module that displays context. This segmentation allows each component to handle specific aspects of multi-modal communication independently, reducing overall system complexity.
3Productivity
If contextual information is automatically retrieved and presented, then communication efficiency is enhanced, but the level of detail may not match user needs
Solution Approach 1:
The context presentation system is dynamic and adaptable to user needs. The presentation module can adjust the level of detail in contextual information based on user preferences, communication type, and situation. Users can control whether to see summaries or complete details, and the system dynamically modifies the presentation format to match the specific communication context and user requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides mechanisms for determining contextual information and including at least some of the determined contextual information in a communication. As an example, a multi-modal communications thumbnail providing context and prior communications summary as an attachment to a communication may be provided. The context and prior communications summary may supplement or replace one or more of a typical communications identifier such as subject, title, and distribution information.