Post-viewing Context Selectable Items for Ephemeral Media Overlays

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users often miss the opportunity to take action on media overlays that are context items within ephemeral media content items in messaging systems, as they forget or do not have time to act on these overlays while the content is displayed.

Innovation Solution

The system generates context selectable items associated with media overlays included in the media content item and displays them on the recipient's client device after the ephemeral media content item has been viewed, providing users with another opportunity to take action on the media overlays.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If ephemeral media content items are displayed with limited viewing time, then the exclusivity and urgency of the content is maintained, but users miss opportunities to take action on media overlays due to forgetting or lack of time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveviewing time of ephemeral contentVSAvoiduser action completion on media overlays

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system prepares context selectable items in advance that will be displayed after the ephemeral content viewing period ends. These items preserve the media overlay actions for later execution, allowing users to complete actions on media overlays even after the original ephemeral content has expired.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Context selectable items serve as an intermediary mechanism between the ephemeral media content and the user's potential actions. Instead of requiring direct interaction during the limited viewing window, the system creates intermediate selectable items that capture the essence of media overlays and make them available for interaction after the ephemeral content expires.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If users are given extended time to view ephemeral content, then users have more opportunity to take action on media overlays, but the ephemeral nature and urgency of the content is diminished

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser action completion on media overlaysVSAvoidviewing time of ephemeral content

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the user interaction process into two distinct phases: (1) the original ephemeral content viewing period with time limits, and (2) a post-viewing period where context selectable items remain available for interaction. This segmentation allows the ephemeral content to maintain its urgency while providing extended action opportunities through the segmented context items.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary action by creating context selectable items that preserve media overlay actions for later execution. These pre-prepared items allow users to take actions on media overlays after the ephemeral content has expired, without extending the actual ephemeral content display time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If context selectable items are displayed after ephemeral content viewing, then user engagement increases through post-viewing interaction opportunities, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser engagement with messaging systemVSAvoidsystem architecture for post-viewing actions

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Context selectable items serve multiple functions: they preserve media overlay actions, provide post-viewing engagement opportunities, and maintain consistency with the original ephemeral content experience. This multi-functionality increases user engagement without requiring entirely separate systems for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates simplified copies of media overlay actions in the form of context selectable items. Instead of implementing complex new interaction mechanisms, the system copies the essential action-taking capability from the original ephemeral content context and makes it available in a post-viewing context, reducing system complexity while maintaining engagement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS12307073B2Selectable items providing post-viewing context actions

Publication Date: 2025.05.20 SNAP INC

AI summary

Method of generating selectable items providing post-viewing context actions starts with a processor receiving a media content item with first media overlay from first client device. Processor causes an active notification associated with the media content item to be displayed on a notification user interface by a second client device. Processor receives a selection of the active notification from the second client device and in response to receiving the selection of the active notification, causes the media content item to be displayed by the second client device. The processor, in response to the media content item being displayed by the second client device, causes the second client device to display the notification user interface comprising an inactive notification and a first selectable item that is associated with the first media overlay. Other embodiments are described herein.