Instant Message Usage Control via Weighted Event Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Accurately measuring Instant Messaging (IM) usage is challenging due to varying communication patterns, making it difficult to limit excessive IM usage that can distract employees and impact productivity and work-life balance.
Innovation Solution
An IM server with an IM usage engine that monitors and determines IM usage by correlating historical data on response delays and IM events, using weights to accurately calculate time spent on IM sessions, and adjusts settings to reduce distractions during working hours.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If IM usage is measured by time delays between receiving and responding to Instant messages, then IM usage can be quantified, but measurement accuracy deteriorates in complex communication scenarios where users send multiple messages without immediate responses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments IM usage measurement into distinct IM events (sending, receiving, application sharing, audio/video conversation start/stop, accepting/stopping) rather than relying on a single continuous time delay metric. This segmentation allows accurate measurement even in complex scenarios where multiple messages are exchanged without immediate responses, as each event can be independently tracked and weighted.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement parameter from simple time delay to a weighted count of IM events. By assigning different weights to different types of IM events (e.g., sending a message vs. receiving a message vs. starting a video call), the system can accurately quantify IM usage regardless of the specific communication pattern or response timing, thereby maintaining measurement precision across varying complexity levels.
2Productivity
If employees are allowed unrestricted IM usage, then communication efficiency is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to distractions and excessive IM engagement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where IM usage is continuously monitored and measured through the IM server. The system provides feedback to employees about their IM usage patterns, enabling them to self-regulate and limit excessive IM engagement during work hours. This feedback loop allows employees to maintain communication efficiency while avoiding productivity-damaging distractions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic IM usage control that adapts to different scenarios and time periods. The system can dynamically adjust IM availability or usage limits based on real-time conditions (e.g., restricting IM during deep work periods while allowing it during collaborative sessions), thereby maintaining productivity while preserving communication efficiency as needed.
3Productivity
If IM usage is monitored and controlled, then productivity is improved by reducing distractions, but ease of operation deteriorates due to additional monitoring and control mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service IM usage control where employees have the ability to set their own usage limits and preferences through the IM server interface. Rather than requiring top-down control mechanisms, employees can independently monitor and regulate their own IM usage, maintaining ease of operation while still benefiting from improved productivity through reduced distractions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent integrates IM usage monitoring and control capabilities into the existing IM server infrastructure, making the system multi-functional. The same server that handles message routing also performs usage measurement, feedback, and control functions, thereby avoiding the need for separate dedicated monitoring systems and preserving ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
Instant message servers configured for automatic instant message usage control in an instant message system are disclosed herein. In one example, an instant message server can be configured to determine an IM usage time of the user during the one or more IM sessions based on numbers of the detected occurrences of the IM events and weight factors corresponding to each type of the IM events. The weight factors correlate the numbers of occurrences of each type of the IM events to a corresponding IM usage period for each occurrence. The instant message server can then perform a comparison of the determined IM usage time of the user with a preset threshold and when the IM usage time of the user exceeds the threshold based on the comparison, automatically adjust the IM service provided to the user by the instant message server.