Instant Message Routing Via Queues for Unavailable Recipients
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current instant messaging services lack the ability to support asynchronous messaging when recipients are unavailable, leading to disturbances and loss of message context due to unsynchronized communication methods.
Innovation Solution
An instant messaging system that stores messages in a queue or sends them via alternative communication systems (email or SMS) based on sender preferences when recipients are unavailable, ensuring messages are delivered at a later time or through alternative channels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If real-time messaging is sent to unavailable recipients, then message delivery speed is improved, but message context is lost and recipients are disturbed
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by checking recipient availability status before sending the message. If the recipient is unavailable, the message is queued or sent via alternative communication systems instead of being lost, preserving message context while avoiding disturbance to the recipient.
2Loss of information
If messages are queued for unavailable recipients, then message context is preserved, but delivery time is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The system introduces intermediary communication channels (alternative communication systems such as email or SMS) that can deliver messages to recipients even when they are unavailable on the instant messaging platform. This intermediary approach preserves message context while reducing delivery time delays compared to simple queuing.
3Reliability
If alternative communication systems are used, then message delivery reliability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The instant messaging system is enhanced with multi-functionality by integrating alternative communication systems (email, SMS) as fallback options. This allows the same messaging infrastructure to handle both real-time IM messages and alternative communication messages, improving delivery reliability without proportionally increasing system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Asynchronous messaging on an instant messaging system is provided. The method comprises receiving an instant message from a send addressed to a recipient on the instant messaging system and determining a current user status of the recipient. Responsive to a determination the recipient is currently available, the instant messaging system sends the instant message to the recipient in real time. Responsive to a determination the recipient is currently unavailable, the instant messaging system, according to sender preferences, sends the instant message to the recipient via an alternative communication system or stores the instant message in a queue until triggered to send the instant message when the current user status of the recipient changes to available.