Instant Messaging Session History Playback System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing instant messaging systems lack an efficient mechanism for users to review the real-time performance of instant messaging sessions, including aspects like speed and frequency of messaging, after the session has terminated, as they only provide transcripts without context.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for recording and playback of instant messaging session history, which involves determining timestamps for events during a session, recording these events, and allowing users to playback the session based on these timestamps, including text messages, file transfers, and input device movements, to recreate the session's context.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If only transcripts are provided for IM sessions, then the system is simple to operate, but users cannot review real-time performance including speed and frequency of messaging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a playback system that copies the IM session experience by recording timestamps and events during the original session, then replaying them to reconstruct the real-time interaction flow, allowing users to review session performance without adding complexity to the basic messaging functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary recording of event timestamps and types during the IM session before the user needs to review it. This preliminary capture of session metadata enables later playback without requiring complex real-time analysis during the review phase
2Ease of operation
If detailed playback with timestamps and input device movements is provided, then users can effectively review session performance, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the IM session into discrete events with timestamps, categorizing them by type (text messages, file transfers, input device movements). This segmentation allows the complex playback functionality to be built from manageable event components, making the system more maintainable and easier to implement
Solution Approach 2:
The playback system is designed to handle multiple types of IM events universally through a single framework that records and replays different event types (messages, file transfers, cursor movements) using the same timestamp-based mechanism, reducing overall system complexity despite the detailed playback capability
Data Source
AI summary
Systems, methods and media for playback of instant messaging session history in an instant messaging system by facilitating recording and playback of an instant messaging session history to a user are disclosed. Embodiments may include, during an instant messaging session where one or more instant messaging events occur, determining a timestamp associated with the one or more instant messaging events and recording an indication of the one or more instant messaging events and their associated timestamps. Embodiments may also include receiving one or more playback commands and, in response to the received playback commands, displaying playback of the one or more instant messaging events based on their associated timestamps. The instant messaging events may include one or more of a text message, file transfer, input device movement, or a status indication such as offline, returned from offline, away, returned from away, secure session established, session beginning or session ending.