Cross-Application Messaging via Unified Chat Instances

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication systems, such as matter management systems, lack real-time messaging capabilities across multiple applications, limiting user communication and collaboration, especially in contexts like legal matter management where multiple applications are related to a single matter.

Innovation Solution

A messaging program that enables real-time communication across multiple applications by establishing chat instances within primary and secondary applications based on permissions associated with a work product object, allowing participants with appropriate permissions to communicate about a specific matter across different applications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a messaging program is established within a single application, then real-time communication capability is provided, but communication across multiple applications related to the same matter is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication across multiple applicationsVSAvoidmessaging system architecture

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The messaging program is designed to function across multiple applications (matter management, email, document management) by establishing chat instances that are accessible from each application's interface. This allows a single messaging system to serve universal communication needs across different work product contexts without requiring separate messaging systems for each application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary messaging layer that connects different applications. The messaging program acts as a mediator between the matter management system, email application, and document management system, allowing participants to communicate across these applications through a unified chat interface that bridges them together.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If permission control is implemented for chat instances, then access security is improved, but system configuration complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess control securityVSAvoidpermission configuration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Permission control is implemented at the local level of each chat instance rather than requiring global permission management. Each chat instance associated with a work product object has its own permission settings that are determined by the work product object's permissions, allowing granular control without overwhelming system-wide configuration complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the permission control mechanisms of different applications by allowing the matter management system's permission structure to govern access to chat instances across email, document management, and other integrated applications. This unified approach consolidates permission management rather than requiring separate permission systems for each application.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple chat instances are established across different applications, then communication coverage is improved, but management and coordination difficulty increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication coverageVSAvoidchat instance management

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The messaging system creates chat instances that are essentially copies of the same communication channel across different applications. When a chat instance is established in the matter management system, corresponding chat instances are created in email and document management applications, allowing participants to access the same conversation from any integrated application without managing separate conversations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS9686212B2Systems, methods and interfaces for using a messaging program across a multiple applications and communications environment

Publication Date: 2017.06.20 THOMSON REUTERS ENTERPRISE CENTRE GMBH

AI summary

A method for using a messaging program across a multiple applications and communications environment includes engaging a multiple applications and communications environment. The multiple applications and communications environment comprises at least one primary application and at least one secondary application. The at least one primary application is associated with a primary work product object and the at least one secondary application is associated with a secondary work product object. The primary work product object and the secondary work product object are associated with a work product matter. The method further includes configuring a messaging program to establish a first chat instance within the primary work product object and a second chat instance within the secondary work product object. The first chat instance and the second chat instance are determined by a set of permissions related to the primary work product object. Another method has the at least one primary application being a web application, a file manager application or an email application and the at least one secondary application being a web application, a file manager application or an email application.