Instant Message Tree Structure for Thematic Browsing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current instant messaging systems arrange messages chronologically, making it difficult and inefficient for users to browse and find messages by theme, as messages related to the same topic are scattered across different timestamps, requiring multiple searches through history.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a method where instant messages are organized into sessions with a tree structure, with each message determined as either a root node or child node based on whether it is a reply, allowing for easier browsing and retrieval by theme through the father-child relationship between nodes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If instant messages are arranged according to time sequence, then the newest message is easily readable, but messages on the same theme are scattered and hard to find

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereading newest messageVSAvoidtime to browse history messages
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the linear chronological message stream into thematic groups or clusters. Messages related to the same topic are grouped together regardless of their temporal sequence, creating distinct segments that can be independently browsed. This allows users to quickly locate messages on specific themes without scanning through the entire chronological history.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a new organizational dimension beyond time sequence. Instead of arranging messages solely by timestamp (one dimension), it adds a thematic categorization dimension, creating a two-dimensional organization structure. This allows messages to be accessed both chronologically and thematically, resolving the contradiction between reading newest messages and finding theme-related messages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If messages are organized by time sequence, then message delivery is simple, but browsing efficiency by theme is low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemessage delivery efficiencyVSAvoidbrowsing efficiency by theme
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the message stream into thematic groups while preserving the underlying chronological delivery mechanism. Each thematic segment contains messages related to a specific topic, organized in time sequence within the segment. This segmentation enables efficient thematic browsing without complicating the fundamental message delivery process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds a thematic dimension to the existing time-based message organization. Messages maintain their chronological order for delivery purposes but are simultaneously tagged and grouped by theme. This multi-dimensional organization allows the system to maintain simple delivery logic while providing enhanced browsing capabilities through thematic categorization.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentEP2950486B1Method and device for managing instant message
Publication Date: 2019.11.06 XIAOMI INC
  • EP2950486B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2950486B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2950486B1 patent drawingFigure 5~7

AI summary

The present invention relates to a method and a device for managing an instant message, which belongs to the field of instant messaging. The method includes: judging (S11) whether the instant message is a reply message to an existing message at the time of receiving and sending the instant message; creating (S12) one session and adding the instant message as a root node to the session if the instant message is not the reply message to the existing message; and adding (S13) the instant message to the session in which the existing message is and setting the instant message as a child node of the existing message if the instant message is the reply message to the existing message. The invention facilitates browsing and looking for instant messages quickly according to father-child relationship between nodes, improving the efficiency of browsing and looking for instant message extremely and being more convenient for use.