Instant Message Status Propagation with Hierarchical Access Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In instant messaging systems, managers often struggle to communicate with employees effectively due to distractions from multiple open IM windows, leading to difficulties in prioritizing important conversations.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that determine and indicate the instant message status, allowing for the restriction of communication access based on organizational hierarchy, social network, predefined relationships, and policies, enabling de-prioritization of certain users and temporary blocking of communication attempts to facilitate exclusive conversations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple IM windows are allowed to remain open simultaneously, then users can maintain multiple conversations, but communication efficiency deteriorates due to distractions and difficulty in prioritizing important conversations
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments communication channels by introducing hierarchical status levels (e.g., manager, colleague, friend) that divide the monolithic IM interface into prioritized layers. Important conversations are segmented into separate priority tiers, allowing users to maintain multiple conversations while visually and functionally separating them by importance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a hierarchical dimension to the traditional flat IM interface by introducing status-based priority levels. Instead of treating all IM windows equally, the system overlays a hierarchical structure that assigns different z-ordering and visual prominence based on the relationship between users, thereby resolving the distraction problem while maintaining multi-conversation capability.
2Productivity
If communication access is restricted to facilitate exclusive conversations, then communication focus is improved, but communication accessibility deteriorates for other users
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements dynamic communication access control where restriction levels are not static but adapt based on the hierarchical status of participants. The restriction mechanism is dynamic in that it automatically adjusts based on pre-defined status relationships, allowing exclusive conversations for high-priority pairs while maintaining general accessibility for others.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of communication access from a binary state (open/closed) to a multi-level hierarchical state based on user status relationships. By introducing status-based parameters, the system can selectively restrict access for specific user pairs while maintaining overall system accessibility, resolving the contradiction between focus and accessibility.
3Productivity
If de-prioritization of certain users is implemented, then important conversations are enhanced, but user inclusivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by implementing de-prioritization selectively rather than globally. Instead of treating all users uniformly, the patent introduces status-based differentiation where only specific user pairs experience de-prioritization based on their hierarchical relationship. This allows critical conversations to be enhanced while maintaining inclusivity for other user interactions.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and computer program product for propagating instant message status change is described. A method may comprise receiving, via at least one of a client electronic device and a server computer, an instant message request associated with an instant message request target. The method may further comprise determining, via at least one of the client electronic device and the server computer, an instant message status based upon, at least in part, the instant message request and the instant message request target. The method may also comprise in response to the determination, providing, via at least one of the client electronic device and the server computer, an indication of the instant message status.