Instant Messenger Group Communication Targeted Delivery

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing Instant Messenger (IM) group communication models fail to send or receive group communication information with designated recipients and cannot identify or distinguish confidentiality of group communication information, leading to information overload and confidentiality issues.

Innovation Solution

The method involves an IM client and server that use a predefined name identifier to selectively send and display group communication information to a subset of users within an IM group, allowing for targeted transmission and prominent display of relevant information, enabling independent shared communication among subset users.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If all group members receive all group communication information, then information completeness is maintained, but information overload occurs and confidentiality cannot be ensured

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation completenessVSAvoidinformation overload and confidentiality loss
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments group communication information into different types (confidential and non-confidential) and routes them through different channels. Confidential information is sent only to designated recipients via direct messaging, while non-confidential information is broadcast to all group members. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by ensuring information completeness for those who need it while preventing information overload for others.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by allowing different portions of the group to receive different types of information based on their roles and permissions. Instead of uniform information distribution, the system provides tailored information delivery where specific members receive specific information types, thus maintaining completeness for relevant users while avoiding overload for others.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Productivity

If group communication information is broadcast to all members, then communication coverage is maximized, but designated recipient transmission and confidentiality identification are lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication coverageVSAvoiddesignated recipient transmission and confidentiality identification
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces dynamic adaptability by allowing the communication system to switch between broadcast mode and targeted delivery mode based on the information type and recipient permissions. The system dynamically adjusts information distribution patterns, enabling both broad coverage and precise targeting as needed, thus resolving the contradiction between coverage and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal communication framework that can perform multiple functions: broadcasting to all members when appropriate, sending to designated recipients when confidentiality is needed, and identifying information types through metadata. This multi-functional system resolves the contradiction by incorporating both broad coverage and targeted delivery capabilities within a single flexible platform.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If traditional IM group communication is used, then system simplicity is maintained, but targeted information delivery and confidentiality management are impossible

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem simplicityVSAvoidtargeted information delivery and confidentiality management
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary component (the server or communication manager) that handles the complexity of targeted delivery and confidentiality management. This intermediary sits between the sender and recipients, intelligently routing information based on predefined rules and permissions. By offloading the complexity to this intermediary, the end users experience simplicity while the system achieves advanced functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements self-service mechanisms where the communication system automatically identifies information types, determines appropriate recipients based on permissions, and routes messages without manual intervention. This automated self-service approach manages the complexity internally while maintaining simplicity for users, enabling targeted delivery and confidentiality management without requiring users to understand or configure the underlying complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP2847932B1Method, client and server of transmitting group communication information
Publication Date: 2020.04.01 ALIBABA GROUP HOLDING LTD
  • EP2847932B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2847932B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2847932B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure discloses methods, IM clients, and IM group servers of transmitting Instant Messenger (IM) group communication information. Based on the technical scheme of the embodiments of the present disclosure, upon identifying that group communication information inputted by a user includes a predefined name identifier, an IM client on a sending end sends the group communication information to group users that are listed after the name identifier. In response to identifying that the received group communication information includes the name identifier, an IM client at a receiving end prominently displays the group communication information that includes the name identifier, and sends a user response of the group communication information to users (other than the user himself/herself) that are listed after the name identifier and a user who sends the group communication information. The IM clients can perform sending or receiving group communication information with designated recipients, and can identify confidentiality of group communication information.