Instant Messaging Topic Indexing for Efficient Conversation Retrieval
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Solution Overview
Problem
Instant messaging conversation transcripts are not readily accessible across different computing devices, requiring cumbersome keyword searches or peer-to-peer queries to retrieve information from stored conversations.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for indexing instant message conversation histories by topic, allowing users to locate and retrieve conversations across a network of connected devices without knowing the storage location or participant details, using an IM index program that determines topics and participants, and indexes conversations for efficient searching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If keyword searches or peer-to-peer queries are used to retrieve IM conversation information, then information can be retrieved, but the process is cumbersome and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary indexing of IM conversations by extracting and storing topic information and participant details when conversations occur. This advance preparation enables rapid retrieval through topic-based queries without requiring time-consuming keyword searches or peer-to-peer queries at retrieval time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary indexing system that acts as a mediator between IM conversations and retrieval queries. The index stores topic information and participant details, allowing users to locate conversations through topic-based searches without directly querying participating devices or performing cumbersome keyword searches.
2Loss of information
If IM conversation transcripts are stored locally on participant computers, then conversation data is preserved, but the information is not readily accessible to other users
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments conversation information into distinct components: the actual conversation transcript stored locally on participant devices, and the metadata (topic information and participant details) stored in a shared index accessible to all users. This segmentation allows local preservation of full conversation data while enabling global accessibility through the shared index.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimension to local conversation storage by creating a shared indexing layer that references local conversations. Instead of centralizing all conversation data (one dimension), the system creates a multi-dimensional architecture where topic-based metadata exists in a shared namespace while full transcripts remain distributed across local devices.
3Ease of operation
If a centralized server is used to store and search IM conversations, then information accessibility improves, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables participating devices to self-serve by storing and maintaining their own conversation transcripts locally. Each device automatically extracts and contributes topic information and participant details to the shared index, eliminating the need for a centralized server to store, manage, or search conversation data.
Solution Approach 2:
The shared index serves multiple functions: it stores topic information for search, maintains participant details for contact retrieval, and enables both topic-based searching and participant identification without requiring a centralized conversation storage system.
4Reliability
If users search for conversations without topic indexes, then all conversation data must be searched, but this increases search time and computational resources
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts key topic information and participant details from full IM conversations and stores them separately in the shared index. This extraction creates a simplified representation that can be searched efficiently, while the full conversation data remains intact for complete and accurate retrieval when topics are found.
Data Source
AI summary
An embodiment of the present invention, a computer receives, on a first computer, a request to locate a topic. The computer determines a second computer to query for the topic. The computer queries the second computer for the topic. The computer receives identification information of participants of an instant messaging conversation corresponding to the topic. The computer stores, on the first computer, the identification information of the participants and indexing the stored identification information by the topic.