Multi-Club Communication Preference Management via Dependency Graph

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Solution Overview

Problem

Club members face difficulties navigating and configuring communication preferences across multiple clubs with different communication cultures and modes, leading to a complex and frustrating environment.

Innovation Solution

A multi-club communication environment with a dependency graph structure allows club members to manage communication preferences through a graphical user interface, enabling inheritance of settings from parent channels and controlling access to ensure privacy, while staff can assist with specific channel preferences.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If club members manage communication preferences individually for each club, then communication preferences can be customized for each club, but the complexity of managing communication across multiple clubs increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication preference customizationVSAvoidcommunication management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides a universal communication preference management interface that works across multiple clubs. Members can set preferences once and have them applied across all clubs, or selectively apply them to specific clubs. This multi-functional approach eliminates the need for separate management interfaces for each club, reducing overall complexity while maintaining customization capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The communication preference management is segmented into hierarchical levels: club-wide defaults and individual club overrides. This segmentation allows members to set general preferences at the club level and then customize specific clubs without reconfiguring everything. The dependency graph visually organizes these segments, making management simpler despite the multi-club environment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of operation

If communication preferences are managed through a centralized system, then ease of operation improves, but member control over specific club preferences may be reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication preference management easeVSAvoidmember control flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements dynamic preference management where members can adjust their control level based on needs. They can operate in 'quick settings' mode for simple preferences or 'detailed configuration' mode for granular control. The dependency graph can be expanded or collapsed to show only relevant clubs, making the interface adaptable to individual member needs while maintaining centralized organization.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

While maintaining centralized management architecture, the system allows local customization at each club level. Members can apply different preference settings to different clubs based on their specific needs. The dependency graph structure enables this local quality variation while keeping the overall system organized and easy to navigate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If detailed communication preferences are configured for each channel, then communication effectiveness improves, but the time required to configure and navigate preferences increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication effectivenessVSAvoidconfiguration time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by establishing default communication preferences at the club level before members need to configure them. These defaults are based on common communication patterns and can be adjusted individually. This preliminary configuration reduces the time members need to spend on detailed settings while maintaining effective communication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The dependency graph provides visual feedback showing which preferences are inherited from parent clubs and which can be overridden. This feedback mechanism helps members quickly identify what needs configuration and what can remain as defaults, reducing configuration time while ensuring communication effectiveness is maintained.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS12052318B1Club member control of communication preferences in a multi-club environment

Publication Date: 2024.07.30 CLUBSTER LLC

AI summary

Techniques for club member control of communication preferences in a multi-club environment are described. A club member may belong to multiple clubs and may use a single facility to manage communication for those clubs. The communication facility may maintain a number of communication channels. The channels may be accessible via multiple types or modes of communication. Club members may configure communication preferences for at least some channels. Communication channels may be arranged in a dependency graph. A graphical user interface (GUI) for viewing and editing communication preferences may include a representation of the dependency graph and per channel preferences may include a preference to inherit preference settings from parent channels. Various operations associated with communication channels may involve traversing the dependency graph including determining preference values, propagating updates, displaying channel content and determining if a club staff member has permission to view a club member's communication preferences.