Structured Data Containers for Communication Platforms

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing communication platforms face challenges in efficiently managing and tracking large volumes of data across multiple platforms and teams, leading to lost time and revenue due to scattered messages and missed notifications, especially in asynchronous communications.

Innovation Solution

A group-based communication platform generates structured data containers with associated messaging threads, allowing users to organize and manage data effectively by creating lists with customizable fields, sharing data across virtual spaces, and automatically updating changes across instances.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If data is stored in scattered messages across multiple platforms and teams, then communication flexibility is improved, but data tracking and management become difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication flexibilityVSAvoiddata tracking

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments data into structured containers with specific fields (e.g., project name, status, priority) that can be individually tracked and managed. Each message or data point is encapsulated in a standardized format that enables systematic organization across distributed communication channels, resolving the contradiction between communication flexibility and data tracking by providing structure without restricting communication pathways.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces structured data containers as intermediary objects that bridge scattered messages and centralized tracking systems. These containers act as mediators that capture information from flexible communication channels and present it in a standardized, trackable format, enabling both communication versatility and systematic data management to coexist.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If existing search functions are used to find data, then some data retrieval is possible, but efficient tracking and organization remain difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata retrievalVSAvoiddata organization

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by organizing data into structured containers with predefined fields and categories before retrieval is needed. This pre-organization with standardized formats, tags, and hierarchical structures enables efficient searching and tracking without requiring complex organizational systems, as the structure is established upfront rather than requiring post-hoc management.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of information

If electronic spreadsheets are used for tracking data, then data organization is possible, but usability becomes cumbersome and collaboration is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata trackingVSAvoidusability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates structured data containers that serve multiple functions simultaneously: they organize data like spreadsheets, enable real-time collaboration like modern cloud tools, provide searchability like databases, and maintain flexibility like unstructured messages. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for specialized spreadsheet tools while achieving comparable or superior data tracking capabilities with enhanced usability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic structured containers that can be created, modified, and shared in real-time across multiple users and platforms. Unlike static spreadsheets, these containers support asynchronous collaboration, automatic synchronization, and flexible restructuring, making data tracking as easy as communication while maintaining organizational rigor.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Quantity of substance

If large volumes of data are stored across multiple platforms, then communication capacity is improved, but data loss and retrieval difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata volumeVSAvoiddata accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the parameters of data storage by transforming unstructured messages into structured containers with defined fields, data types, and validation rules. This parameter transformation maintains the volume of communicated information while improving reliability through standardized formatting, mandatory fields, and consistent data representation across all platforms and teams.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS12106043B2Generating structured data containers for communication platform

Publication Date: 2024.10.01 SALESFORCE INC

AI summary

Techniques for generating structured data containers via a communication platform and messaging threads associated with the structured data containers are discussed herein. For example, the communication platform may, in response to receiving a request from a user of the communication platform, generate a structured data container representing a system of record associated with the communication platform, the structured data container containing a plurality of fields and information associated with an interaction via the communication platform. The communication platform may further generate and present, via a messaging thread, the structured data container including the plurality of fields.