Shared Media Collections With Permission Layers in Messaging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing messaging systems lack the ability to facilitate the creation and sharing of content collections among users with varying levels of access permissions, limiting the interactive and collaborative aspects of media content exchange.

Innovation Solution

A messaging system that allows users to create content collections, share them with others, and manage permissions, enabling users to add content, while the creator retains deletion and management rights, with features like ephemeral timers and augmentation systems for media content.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If messaging systems allow users to exchange message content individually, then user privacy and control are maintained, but collaborative content creation and sharing among multiple users is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollaborative content sharingVSAvoidcontent collection management

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments content management into individual message exchanges and collective content collections. Users can create separate content collections that group multiple media items together, allowing collaborative sharing without mixing up individual message threads. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by enabling versatile collaboration while maintaining manageable structure through distinct collection containers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The content collection feature serves multiple functions: it acts as a container for media items, a sharing mechanism among users, and an organizational structure. This multi-functionality enables collaborative content creation while using the existing messaging infrastructure, avoiding the need for entirely new complex systems and thus reducing the complexity burden.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of operation

If users are given equal permissions to manage shared content, then collaboration is simplified, but control over content lifecycle and user experience is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent sharingVSAvoidpermission management

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements local quality by applying different permission levels to different users within the same content collection. The creator user retains full control (can delete, edit, manage), while shared users have limited permissions (can view, add comments). This differentiated local quality enables both ease of operation for shared users and versatile control for the creator, resolving the contradiction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Reliability

If content collections are made permanent for easy access, then content availability is improved, but user engagement and attention span is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent availabilityVSAvoidcontent access duration

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic action through ephemeral timers that automatically delete content collections after a specified duration. Content is reliably available during its intended lifespan for user access, then automatically removed to maintain engagement and prevent indefinite persistence. This periodic lifecycle (creation → availability → automatic deletion) resolves the contradiction between reliability and duration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

4Adaptability or versatility

If messaging systems focus on text-based communication, then system simplicity is maintained, but media content exchange and interaction is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemedia content exchangeVSAvoidmessaging system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges media content exchange with the existing messaging system structure by integrating content collections into the messaging interface. Media items are shared through the same user interface and communication protocols used for text messages, combining multiple communication types into a unified system rather than creating separate complex infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS12474821B2Providing shared content collections within a messaging system

Publication Date: 2025.11.18 SNAP INC

AI summary

Aspects of the present disclosure involve a system comprising a computer-readable storage medium storing a program and method for providing shared content collections. The program and method provide for receiving, from a first device of a first user, an indication of first user input to share a content collection between the first user and a second user selected by the first user, the content collection comprising at least one media content item, the second user corresponding to a contact of the first user; storing the content collection in association with the first user and the second user; receiving an indication of second user input to share the content collection with a third user selected by the second user, the third user corresponding to a contact of the second user; and associating the content collection with the third user.