Messaging App Task Annotation and Display Toggle
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Solution Overview
Problem
Managing tasks associated with electronic messages is cumbersome, as users often need to maintain separate task management systems and manually enter tasks, which can be inconvenient.
Innovation Solution
An electronic messaging application allows users to annotate messages with task reminders, displaying task descriptions instead of message summaries, enabling easy tracking of tasks and allowing users to toggle between task and message views.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If users maintain a separate task management system and manually enter tasks, then task management capability is provided, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the messaging application and task management functionality into a single integrated system. Users can create tasks directly from message contexts without switching to a separate task management application. The task manager receives task requests from the message manager and displays tasks alongside messages, eliminating the need for separate systems and manual data entry.
Solution Approach 2:
The messaging application is enhanced to perform multiple functions: not only sending and receiving messages but also creating, managing, and tracking tasks. The system allows users to annotate messages with task information, set due dates, and mark tasks as complete all within the messaging interface, making the application universal for both communication and productivity management.
2Loss of information
If task descriptions are displayed instead of message summaries, then task visibility is improved, but information loss occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The display mode in the message list is made dynamic and adjustable. Users can switch between viewing message summaries and viewing task descriptions associated with messages. The system allows toggling between different display states (message view, task view, or combined view) based on user preference and current context, enabling flexible information presentation.
Solution Approach 2:
The information display is segmented into different components that can be independently controlled. Message summaries and task descriptions are treated as separate display elements that can be shown or hidden based on user selection. This segmentation allows users to prioritize either message content or task information depending on their current needs.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of annotating an electronic message executes at a computing device having one or more processors and memory. The memory stores one or more programs configured for execution by the one or more processors. The device displays a user interface for an electronic messaging application. The user interface includes a list of messages received by the user, and each displayed message includes a respective message summary that is displayed. The device receives from the user a description of a first task associated with a first message of the displayed messages. The user provides the description using a control in the user interface. The device stores the description as a first annotation associated with the first message and updates the displayed messages in the list of messages. For the first message, the device displays the first annotation as a substitute for the message summary.