Unread Message Preview Switching on Message List Pages

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing instant messaging systems require users to manually search for and view multiple unread messages one by one, which is cumbersome and prone to missing messages.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that displays unread message thumbnails on a message list page, allowing users to trigger operations to view and interact with messages directly from the list, including switching between messages and accessing session pages without manual searching.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If unread messages are arranged discontinuously on the session page with prompt marks, then users can quickly identify friends with unread messages, but users need to find and view multiple unread messages one by one which is cumbersome and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveidentification accuracy of unread messagesVSAvoidtime required to view unread messages
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple discontinuous unread messages from the same sender into a single continuous message list on the session page. Instead of scattering unread messages throughout the conversation history, the system collects and displays them together in a unified location, allowing users to view all unread messages from a particular sender in one place rather than searching through the entire message history.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism that automatically collects and organizes unread messages before displaying them to the user. This intermediary process involves the system identifying unread messages, grouping them by sender, and presenting them in a consolidated format on the session page, thereby eliminating the need for users to manually search through discontinuous messages.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If a three-layer design with prompt marks is used on the message page, then users can quickly distinguish friends with unread messages, but the operation becomes cumbersome when multiple unread messages are involved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of identifying unread message sourcesVSAvoidcomplexity of message viewing operations
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts unread messages from their original discontinuous positions in the message history and removes them from the complex three-layer structure. By pulling out only the unread messages and displaying them in a simplified, continuous format on the session page, the system reduces operational complexity while maintaining the ability to quickly identify unread message sources.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of requiring users to navigate from the message list to the session page and then search through discontinuous messages, the patent inverts the approach by bringing unread messages directly to the session page in a continuous, easily accessible format. This reversal of the traditional interaction flow simplifies the user operation while preserving identification capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentEP4246920B1Unread message display method and apparatus, and electronic device and storage medium
Publication Date: 2026.04.08 BEIJING ZITIAO NETWORK TECH CO LTD
  • EP4246920B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4246920B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4246920B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Provided are an unread message display method and apparatus, an electronic device, and a storage medium. The method includes the following: A message list page is displayed, and an unread message thumbnail is displayed on the message list page. A first trigger operation acting on a target unread message thumbnail is received. In response to the first trigger operation, an unread message display area is displayed; and a target unread message corresponding to the target unread message thumbnail is displayed in the unread message display area. A second trigger operation for switching the current unread message displayed in the unread message display area is received, and the current unread message includes the target unread message. In response to the second trigger operation, the current unread message displayed in the unread message display area is switched to an unread message sent by a target sending user other than the current unread message, and the target sending user is a user sending the target unread message.