Reply with Modified File Attachment in Messaging Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face cumbersome processes when editing and reattaching file attachments in networked messaging systems, especially on devices with limited local storage, as they must save, edit, and reattach files within separate applications, complicating the response to conversation threads.

Innovation Solution

A networked messaging system that allows users to reply to conversation threads with modified file attachments directly, using a 'reply with attachment' command, which automatically includes the modified file and maintains conversation thread properties, reducing the need for sequential user actions and local storage reliance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If users manually save and reattach file attachments within separate applications, then the file can be edited and sent, but the process becomes cumbersome and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of attaching modified filesVSAvoidtime required for editing and reattaching

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the file editing function and file attachment function into a single integrated operation. When a user opens a file attachment within the messaging application and makes modifications, the system automatically attaches the modified version to the reply message without requiring the user to manually save and reattach. This consolidation eliminates the sequential steps of saving and reattaching, directly resolving the technical contradiction by improving ease of operation while reducing time loss.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary action by automatically detecting and preparing the modified file for attachment before the user completes the reply operation. When the user initiates a reply and the system detects that a file has been modified in the current session, it automatically prepares the modified version for attachment, eliminating the need for manual intervention in the attachment process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If users must save files to local storage before editing, then the file can be modified, but devices with limited storage become cumbersome

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of editing attachmentsVSAvoidlocal storage requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the file storage requirement from the local device by implementing cloud-based or temporary storage within the messaging application. The file attachment is stored and managed by the messaging system itself rather than requiring the user's local device storage. This allows users to edit and reattach files without consuming local storage space, directly resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and storage requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The messaging application serves as an intermediary storage layer between the user's local device and the file attachment. Instead of requiring files to be saved to local storage, the system uses its own storage infrastructure as an intermediary, allowing temporary storage and editing without impacting the user's device storage capacity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If users perform sequential actions to view, save, edit, and reattach files, then the file can be modified and sent, but the process complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresponse speed to conversation threadsVSAvoidnumber of sequential operations

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple sequential operations (viewing, saving, editing, and attaching) into a single integrated workflow. When a user opens a file attachment within the messaging application and makes modifications, the system automatically handles all the intermediate steps and attaches the modified version to the reply message in one operation. This merging of operations directly improves productivity by reducing the number of steps required while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS10439967B2Attachment reply handling in networked messaging systems

Publication Date: 2019.10.08 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

Systems, methods, apparatuses, and software for network messaging systems in computing environments are provided herein. In one example, a networked messaging system is provided that presents a message to a user, the message being associated with a conversation thread comprising one or more members and having a file attachment. The networked messaging system receives a reply instruction issued by the user to reply to the conversation thread with a modified version of the file attachment, and responsively establishes a reply message associated with the conversation thread that includes the modified version of the file attachment. The networked messaging system transfers the reply message with the modified version of the file attachment for delivery to the one or more members.