Group Communication Session Selection via SMS Notification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing group communications methods limit the impact of information to a closed group of recipients, restricting the discussion and dissemination of information to a narrower audience.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for controlling access to communications sessions by selecting a suitable discussion forum based on user characteristics, using SMS messages to notify group members and provide links to publicly accessible interactive sessions, without requiring bespoke software on participating terminals, leveraging a distribution server and database to match group preferences with available sessions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If group communications are limited to closed groups of recipients, then the simplicity and control of the communication system is maintained, but the dissemination of information is restricted to a narrower audience
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the audience into different groups with specific characteristics, allowing information to be distributed to multiple segmented groups simultaneously rather than a single closed group, thereby expanding reach while maintaining organizational simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The communication system is designed to handle both closed group communications and open public communications through a unified platform, allowing the same system to serve multiple functions and different types of user interactions without requiring separate specialized systems
2Ease of operation
If bespoke software is required on participating terminals for group communications, then the functionality and control of the communication system is improved, but the ease of operation and accessibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses standard messaging protocols and existing terminal capabilities to provide group communication functions, making the system universally accessible without requiring users to install or learn specialized software, thus improving ease of operation while avoiding increased device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The system leverages the existing self-service capabilities of standard messaging terminals and protocols, allowing users to participate in communications using their existing devices and knowledge without requiring additional software installation or configuration
Data Source
AI summary
An interactive system and method for controlling access to a plurality of communications sessions involving a plurality of users including controlling access to a plurality of communications sessions, each of said communications sessions being for access by a plurality of users, wherein data identifying said plurality of communications sessions have been stored in association with data indicative of one or more characteristics thereof. The method includes receiving a request to initiate communications among members of a group of users, wherein said request includes data identifying the group of users, responsive to receiving said request, selecting a communications session on the basis of data identifying the group and at least some of said stored data indicative of characteristics of a given communications session, and transmitting messages to at least some members of the group. Each message has a message body including data providing access to the selected communications session and a destination address determined from data indicative of a given member of the group.