Dynamic Message Delivery via Triggered Control Portions
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Solution Overview
Problem
In packet-based communication systems, it is challenging for providers to inform users of available features and promotions in a timely and non-intrusive manner, as hard-coded messages cannot be easily updated or adapted without installing a new client version.
Innovation Solution
A dynamic message delivery system that allows messages to be received by the communication client with a content and control portion, where the control portion defines trigger events and conditions for displaying the message, enabling targeted and timely information delivery based on user actions and system states.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If hard-coded messages are used in the client software, then the messages are reliably delivered to users, but the messages cannot be easily updated or adapted without installing a new client version
Solution Approach 1:
The message system is segmented into two independent parts: (1) the client software that provides reliable message delivery infrastructure, and (2) the message content that can be independently updated and stored on servers. This allows message content to be updated without requiring client software updates, while maintaining reliable delivery through the established client infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
A message server acts as an intermediary between the message provider and the client software. The server stores and manages message content, allowing messages to be updated centrally without distributing new client versions. The client software reliably retrieves and delivers these messages, maintaining delivery reliability while enabling content adaptability.
2Loss of information
If messages are delivered to inform users of features and promotions, then user awareness is improved, but the delivery may become intrusive if not timed appropriately
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-configures messages with trigger conditions and delivery parameters before users receive them. Messages are prepared with specific trigger events (e.g., user actions, system states) and conditions that must be met before delivery. This preliminary setup allows the system to wait for the appropriate moment to deliver messages, ensuring they are informative without being intrusive.
Solution Approach 2:
The system monitors user actions and system states in real-time to determine when to deliver messages. By continuously feedback on user behavior and system conditions, the system can timing message delivery to coincide with relevant user activities, ensuring messages are delivered when users are most likely to be interested rather than when they would be intrusive.
3Loss of time
If the client software monitors user actions to trigger messages, then message timing is improved, but the client software complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The complex message monitoring and trigger evaluation logic is extracted from the client software and placed on the message server. The client software only needs to report basic user actions and system states to the server, while the server performs the complex analysis to determine when message triggers are met. This reduces client complexity while maintaining accurate timing based on user actions.
Solution Approach 2:
The message server acts as an intermediary that handles the complex monitoring and trigger evaluation logic. Instead of the client software directly implementing complex monitoring, it communicates with the server which performs the sophisticated analysis of user actions and system states. This intermediary approach enables accurate message timing while keeping the client software relatively simple.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a method of delivering messages to a user of a user terminal executing a communication client and connected to a packet-based communication network, includes receiving a message at the communication client from the communication network, the message comprising a content portion and a control portion, wherein the content portion comprises information intended for display to the user of the user terminal, and storing the message in a data store at the user terminal. The communication client reads the control portion and extracts data defining a trigger event and a condition. The communication client is monitored to determine whether the communication client state corresponds to the trigger event. Responsive to the communication client state corresponding to the trigger event, the communication client determines whether the condition is met. In the case that the condition is met, the content portion of the message is displayed in the communication client.