Instant Messaging Contact List Proximity Sorting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing instant messaging systems lack the ability to effectively sort contacts based on geographic location, limiting users' ability to communicate with contacts nearby or at specific locations.
Innovation Solution
The technology enables electronic devices to receive and evaluate 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 for real-time communication based on geographic criteria.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If instant messaging contacts are listed without geographic sorting, then the system remains simple and easy to operate, but users cannot efficiently communicate with contacts based on their proximity to a specific location
Solution Approach 1:
The contact list dynamically reorders itself based on real-time geographic proximity calculations to a selected location, transforming a static alphabetical or manual contact list into a dynamic location-based sorted list that automatically updates as contacts move or as different locations are selected
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the sorting parameter of the contact list from traditional criteria (name, last contact time) to geographic proximity, using location coordinates and distance calculations to determine the order in which contacts are displayed
2Productivity
If location information is collected and processed for all IM contacts, then proximity-based communication is enabled, but the system complexity and data processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces a location service intermediary that handles the complex tasks of obtaining, storing, and processing geographic information for contacts, separating this complexity from the core instant messaging functionality and allowing the contact list to simply query and display results
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-obtaining and storing location information for contacts before it is needed for sorting, so that when a user selects a location to find nearby contacts, the sorting can be performed quickly using already-available location data
Data Source
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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.