Near Real-Time Message Filtering and Sorting System
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Solution Overview
Problem
Instant messaging applications face challenges in delivering near real-time notifications and content due to network latency and the accumulation of unimportant messages, making it difficult for recipients to prioritize and manage audio or video messages effectively, leading to asynchronous communication even when both parties are attentive.
Innovation Solution
A system and method for remotely directed filtering and sorting of near real-time audio or video messages using user interface elements to flag messages as 'urgent' or 'flushed', allowing senders to prioritize recent messages and de-prioritize older ones, enabling messages to be presented in forward chronological order based on importance and relevance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If audio or video messages are delivered in significant volume without filtering, then rich and personalized content is provided, but messages accumulate into unmanageable reservoirs that users cannot effectively review
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the continuous stream of audio/video messages into discrete, manageable units by introducing text summaries as separate entities. Each audio/video message is divided into a skimmable text component and a playable media component, allowing users to process information in manageable chunks rather than facing an overwhelming continuous stream.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces text summaries as an intermediary between the audio/video messages and the user. These text summaries act as a filtering layer that users can quickly scan to determine which full messages warrant their attention, thereby managing the volume of content without losing the rich media experience.
2Speed
If messages are delivered in forward chronological order, then near real-time interaction is maintained, but recipients must scroll backward to catch up on missed messages, disrupting conversation flow
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by providing text summaries of messages before the user watches the full video or listens to the full audio. This allows users to preview and understand the context of missed messages without having to scroll through or replay entire media files, maintaining chronological delivery while enabling efficient catch-up.
3Loss of information
If text messages are used, then messages can be skimmable for rapid content consumption, but audio and video recordings offer richer content that cannot be skimmed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the content consumption process into two distinct stages: first, rapid skimming of text summaries to identify relevant messages (low time investment), and second, selective viewing/listening of full audio/video messages for complete information (high information density). This segmentation allows users to optimize between speed and completeness based on their needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements partial action by allowing users to consume only the text summary portion of a message if that suffices for their needs, or to consume the full audio/video message if complete information is required. This partial consumption model prevents the time loss associated with always watching full videos while preserving the option for complete information when necessary.
4Quantity of substance
If messages are multicast to large overlapping social networks, then message reach is increased, but the association between message and recipient is weakened making personal significance difficult to determine
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by customizing the text summary content and presentation based on the specific recipient and their relationship to the sender and other participants. Each recipient receives tailored summaries that highlight personally relevant information, maintaining strong message-recipient association even in multicast scenarios where the same core message is distributed to many people.
Data Source
AI summary
Remotely directed filtering and sorting of near real-time audio or video messages is accomplished by including, within a messaging device, a messaging client application capable of assigning via a user interface attributes to an outgoing message, including a filtering assertion and a sorting assertion which express efficiently a sender's judgment about the relevance and currency of past, current and future messages with common attributes. Upon receiving a plurality of near real-time audio or video messages, the messaging client application enables a user to select attributes via a user interface for grouping pending messages, which are filtered and sorted in accordance with procedures that aggregate filtering and sorting assertions associated with messages having common attributes. The messaging client application further displays filtered counts of pending messages and sorted lists of pending messages and, in accordance with such sort, plays the next message when directed by a user interface.