Instant Messaging Interrupt Priority Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current instant messaging applications do not provide a convenient way for users to determine the importance of interrupting messages, manage interruptions effectively, or automatically block lower-priority interruptions, leading to delays and disruptions in ongoing conversations.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method and system that allow users to set interrupt priority rankings for contacts, apply interrupt rules to manage conversations, and send notifications or block interruptions based on these settings, enabling users to prioritize and control incoming messages during active chats.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If current IM applications display interrupting messages in the foreground and then move to background, then the user can see the interrupting message, but the user cannot fully read and comprehend the message before it is moved to background
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides a preview of the interrupting message content before the user needs to fully read it. The preview mechanism allows users to quickly assess message importance without committing to reading the entire message, enabling informed decisions about whether to interrupt the current conversation.
Solution Approach 2:
The message handling process is divided into separate stages: preview stage (where users can quickly assess importance), full reading stage (where users can comprehend the complete message), and response stage. This segmentation allows users to progressively engage with the message based on their needs.
2Ease of operation
If the interrupted user types a message to inform the other party of the interruption, then proper etiquette is maintained, but this results in even more delay if the user was already typing a message and must backspace or delete
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically handles the interruption notification function. When a user is interrupted, the system can automatically send a notification to the interrupting party indicating that the user is busy and cannot be interrupted, eliminating the need for the user to manually type and send such messages.
Solution Approach 2:
The system acts as an intermediary between the interrupted user and the interrupting user. Instead of the user directly communicating their unavailability, the system mediates this communication by automatically sending status notifications, freeing the user from the manual task of typing and sending interruption notifications.
3Ease of operation
If the interrupted user finds the taskbar icon and clicks to activate the interrupting message, then the user can respond to the interrupting user, but this requires multiple time-consuming operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system combines multiple operations into a single action. Instead of requiring the user to manually find the taskbar icon, click to activate, and then focus the cursor in the type-in box, the system integrates these steps so that the interrupting message is automatically brought to the foreground and ready for response with a single user action or even automatically.
4Adaptability or versatility
If current IM applications do not provide means to automatically block interruptions, then the system remains simple, but the user cannot automatically prevent or minimize interruptions of lower importance
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces dynamic priority levels that can be adjusted based on the situation. Users can set different priority levels for different contacts or message types, and the system dynamically applies these priorities to determine which interruptions are allowed and which are blocked, providing adaptability without requiring complex manual configuration.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for managing interrupts in an instant messaging application may include receiving an interrupt request from an interrupting contact during an instant messaging conversation between at least two contacts. The method may also include interrupting the instant messaging conversation in response to a predetermined one of the interrupting contact having a selected interrupt priority ranking relative to an interrupt priority ranking of each of the at least two contacts or an interrupting conversation having a higher interrupt priority ranking compared to an interrupt priority ranking of the instant messaging conversation.