Instant Messaging Contact Matching via Server-Side Filtering

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional Instant Messaging (IM) methods require users to manually search and select contacts, resulting in a low success rate due to mismatched user information, making the process complicated and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A method and system where user information is sent to an IM server with a release flag, allowing the server to forward it to compatible IM clients, enabling automatic matching and establishment of IM relationships based on filter conditions, thereby improving the success rate and efficiency of contact addition.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If users manually search and select contacts using conventional IM methods, then users can establish IM relationships, but the process becomes complicated and the success rate is low (about 10%)

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables users to set their own filter conditions and release flags, allowing the system to automatically match and initiate IM relationships based on predefined criteria, eliminating the need for manual searching and selection while improving success rate through automated compatibility matching

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Users pre-configure their filter conditions and release flags before the matching process begins. The system uses these pre-set parameters to automatically identify compatible contacts and initiate IM relationships, avoiding the need for manual searching and significantly improving the success rate by ensuring compatibility before contact initiation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If users actively search for other users and send add requests, then IM relationships can be established, but the process is time-consuming and inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of users actively searching for contacts, the system inverts the approach by having users set filter conditions that automatically attract compatible contacts. The system proactively identifies and initiates IM relationships based on matching criteria, transforming the user role from active searcher to passive beneficiary of automated matching, thereby dramatically improving efficiency and reducing time investment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Extent of automation

If the IM server forwards user information to multiple IM clients, then automatic matching can be achieved, but information privacy and user control may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different information release policies to different users based on their individual release flag settings. Each user's information is handled according to their specific privacy preferences, allowing automatic matching while respecting individual privacy controls. The server selectively forwards information only to users whose filter conditions match and who have permitted information sharing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS8200753B2Instant messaging method and system

Publication Date: 2012.06.12

AI summary

A method and system for establishing an Instant Messaging (IM) relationship are provided. The method for establishing the IM relationship includes: sending user information of a first user to an IM client of a second user, checking whether the user information of the first user meets filter conditions of the second user; establishing the IM relationship between the first user and the second user when the user information of the first user meets the filter conditions of the second user.