Instant Messaging Contact Sorting by Proximity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing instant messaging systems lack the ability to effectively sort contacts based on geographic location, making it difficult for users to identify and communicate with nearby contacts efficiently.
Innovation Solution
The technology enables electronic devices to receive and utilize location information from IM contacts, sorting them by proximity to a set location using GPS or IP address, and presenting this information in a user-friendly manner, allowing users to prioritize contacts based on distance or travel time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If instant messaging contacts are listed without geographic sorting, then the contact list remains simple and easy to operate, but users cannot efficiently identify and communicate with nearby contacts
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-calculates and stores geographic location data for all IM contacts in advance. When a user activates location-based sorting, the contacts are already organized in the database with coordinates, enabling rapid retrieval and sorting without real-time computation delays, thus maintaining interface simplicity while improving contact identification efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a geographic location database as an intermediary layer between the contact list and the user interface. This mediator stores pre-collected location information and provides sorted contact lists based on proximity calculations, allowing the interface to remain simple while delivering efficient nearby contact identification through backend geographic processing
2Measurement precision
If the system collects and processes location information from all IM contacts, then proximity-based sorting becomes accurate and useful, but the system complexity and data processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts location information as a separate, optional data element from the core IM contact data. Rather than integrating geographic processing into the fundamental messaging system, the location data is collected and stored independently, allowing accurate proximity sorting to be implemented without complicating the core IM functionality. Users can enable or disable this feature without affecting basic messaging operations
Solution Approach 2:
The location database serves multiple functions: it enables proximity-based contact sorting, supports nearby contact identification, and provides geographic context for messaging decisions. By creating a universal location data infrastructure that serves these various purposes, the system achieves accurate proximity sorting without proportionally increasing complexity, as the same data structure supports multiple use cases
3Productivity
If contacts are sorted by proximity to a set location, then users can quickly identify nearby contacts for communication, but additional data collection and processing steps are required
Solution Approach 1:
The system collects and stores geographic location information for all IM contacts in advance, during initial contact setup or through periodic updates. This preliminary data collection eliminates the need for real-time location requests when users want to sort contacts by proximity, significantly reducing the time required for contact identification while maintaining high productivity in finding nearby contacts
Solution Approach 2:
The contact list dynamically adapts to user needs by offering both traditional alphabetical sorting and geographic proximity sorting. The system maintains multiple sorted versions of the contact list in memory, allowing users to switch between sorting methods instantly without reprocessing data. This dynamic approach enables fast contact identification through proximity sorting while minimizing data processing time through pre-computed sorted lists
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic device having instant messaging (IM) capabilities within one or networks. The technology provides means and methods whereby an electronic device is enabled to evaluate and present information regarding available IM contacts based on geographic criteria. Location information from devices which are associated with instant messaging contacts of a first electronic device are received. IM contacts contact can be display based on geographic location, including proximity to one or more set locations. The technology can be customized dynamically on a per device basis.