Unified Instant Messaging Archive Structure
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current instant messaging systems fail to provide a complete record of discussions as private messages are archived separately from conference messages, making it difficult to retrieve and search for relevant messages.
Innovation Solution
Storing conference and private messages together as a single record in a context data structure, allowing for a unified record of the instant messaging conference discussion, and providing a graphical user interface for inputting and managing these messages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If private messages are archived separately from conference messages, then the archiving system can handle different message types independently, but the completeness of the discussion record is compromised and search efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges private messages and conference messages into a unified archive structure. The context data structure contains both message types together, with each message identified by its type field. This allows the system to maintain a complete discussion record while still distinguishing between private and conference messages for appropriate retrieval and display.
2Ease of operation
If separate chat windows are created for private messages, then the system can manage different communication streams independently, but the complexity of message retrieval and search increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments messages by type within a unified archive structure. The context data structure uses a message type field to distinguish between private and conference messages, allowing independent processing and retrieval of each message type while maintaining a single organized archive. This segmentation approach manages complexity through structured classification rather than separate physical archives.
3Speed
If private messages are stored as separate files, then the storage system can optimize for individual message retrieval, but the overall search efficiency and access time for complete discussion records deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The context data structure serves multiple functions: it stores both private and conference messages, organizes them by type for efficient retrieval, and maintains their contextual relationships. The unified structure allows the same archive to support both individual message access and comprehensive discussion record retrieval without requiring separate storage systems.
Data Source
AI summary
Software for an instant messaging program displays a window in a graphical user interface (GUI). The window includes a first view listing a plurality of participants in an instant messaging conference, a second view allowing for entry and editing of an instant message, a first control for sending an instant message to all of the of participants, and a second control for sending a private instant message to less than all of the participants. The software receives an entry of an instant message in the first view. The software receives a selection of one or more but less than all participants through the second view. The software receives an input activating the second control. Then the software sends the instant message to the selected participants.