Instant Messaging Reminder Triggering via Symbol Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Instant messaging applications lack the capability to generate reminders, such as time-based, location-based, or contact-proximity-based reminders, forcing users to switch to different applications for setting or sending these reminders.
Innovation Solution
An instant messaging application that allows users to create reminders by inputting predetermined symbols or characters within textual input, enabling location-based, proximity-based, or time-based reminders, which are triggered when the specified conditions are met, and sends an instant message with the reminder message upon condition satisfaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If instant messaging application provides only basic messaging features, then the application remains simple and easy to use, but the application lacks reminder functionality and requires users to switch to different applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines reminder functionality with instant messaging by integrating reminder setting, sending, and triggering within the existing IM application framework. The messaging interface is enhanced to recognize predetermined symbols and automatically create reminders, merging two previously separate functions into a unified system that operates through a single application.
Solution Approach 2:
The instant messaging application is transformed into a multi-functional platform that not only handles text-based communication but also provides time-based, location-based, and contact-proximity-based reminders. The same messaging interface and symbol-based input mechanism serve both communication and reminder purposes, making the application universally useful for multiple tasks.
2Adaptability or versatility
If instant messaging application adds multiple reminder types (time-based, location-based, proximity-based), then the application becomes more versatile, but the operation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses parameter changes to differentiate reminder types by modifying the predetermined symbol based on the desired reminder category. Different symbols or symbol combinations represent different reminder types (time-based, location-based, proximity-based), allowing the system to distinguish between multiple functionality types while maintaining a consistent and simple symbol-based input interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically determines the reminder type and configures the appropriate parameters based on the predetermined symbol entered by the user. The application self-services by interpreting the symbol, identifying the reminder category, and setting up the corresponding reminder logic without requiring the user to manually configure complex settings for each reminder type.
3Productivity
If reminder functionality is integrated into instant messaging application, then users can set reminders without switching applications, but the application requires processing and recognition of predetermined symbols
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-defining specific symbols that represent different reminder types and conditions. These predetermined symbols are established in advance and stored in the system, allowing for rapid recognition and automatic processing when encountered in messages, thereby reducing real-time processing complexity while maintaining high user efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The predetermined symbol acts as an intermediary between the user's intent and the system's reminder creation process. Instead of requiring complex interactions or multiple steps to set a reminder, the user simply inputs a predetermined symbol that mediates the entire reminder setup process, translating a simple input into a fully configured reminder through automatic system processing.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for providing a reminder from within an instant messaging application executing on a computing device, the method comprising receiving textual input from within the instant messaging application. In response to receiving the textual input, a reminder-triggering condition is determined based on a predetermined symbol within the textual input. An instant message is sent that includes the reminder-triggering condition for the reminder.