Instant Messaging Terminal Input Mode Switching for Message Emphasis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing instant messaging services face challenges in effectively conveying important messages in real-time and emphasizing messages within group chatrooms, as current announcement functions fail to draw attention to specific messages or users.
Innovation Solution
A method for operating a terminal that allows users to switch between normal and emphasis modes in a chatroom, where messages can be highlighted for a predetermined period with special effects, and users with authority can input feedback responses, displayed to all participants for the duration of the emphasis.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If an announcement function is used to transmit information in a group chatroom, then information can be conveyed to participants, but the function cannot convey contents in real time or emphasize messages from specific persons effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic message emphasis by allowing users to switch between normal and emphasis modes in real-time. Messages can be dynamically highlighted with visual effects (such as background color changes, icons, or animations) when sent in emphasis mode, enabling real-time attention-grabbing without requiring complex announcement procedures. This dynamic approach resolves the contradiction by making the communication mechanism flexible and responsive to immediate needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality enhancement by selectively emphasizing specific messages or user identities rather than requiring all-to-all communication changes. When a user sends a message in emphasis mode, only that particular message receives special visual treatment (such as bold formatting, icons, or background highlights), while other messages remain in normal state. This localized emphasis achieves effective message delivery without complicating the overall communication system.
2Illumination intensity
If messages are emphasized for a predetermined period, then important messages are highlighted effectively, but the emphasizing must be cancelled automatically when time elapses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic action by automatically cancelling message emphasis after a predetermined time period elapses. The system monitors the duration of emphasized messages and automatically removes the emphasis effect (such as background highlights or special icons) after the specified time, ensuring that important messages receive attention for an appropriate duration without permanently dominating the chat interface. This periodic emphasis resolves the contradiction by providing strong visual highlighting when needed while automatically restoring normal message display afterward.
3Ease of operation
If a second UI for feedback input is displayed to users without authority, then user engagement is enhanced, but the UI must be displayed and cancelled in synchronization with message emphasis
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the feedback UI with the message emphasis mechanism by synchronizing their display and cancellation. When a message is emphasized, the feedback UI (such as reaction buttons or comment input fields) is automatically displayed for users without authority to provide feedback. Both the emphasis effect and the feedback UI are cancelled together after the predetermined period, eliminating the need for separate control mechanisms. This merging approach resolves the contradiction by making feedback accessible while using a unified control system rather than independent mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a method of operating a terminal on which an application for an instant messaging service is installed, the method that displays a first user interface (UI) for switching an input mode in a chatting interface of a chatroom in which a user of the application is participating, based on whether the user is assigned an authority to emphasize a message in the chatroom, switches the input mode from a first mode which is a normal mode to a second mode for emphasizing a message, in response to a user input with respect to the first UI, emphasizes a message input in the second mode for a predetermined period in a predetermined manner, and cancels the emphasizing of the message input in the second mode, when the predetermined time elapses.