Unread Message Reminder Icon for Persistent Session Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users of instant messaging products often fail to read all unread messages due to the lack of persistent reminders for remaining messages after the first unread message is skipped, leading to inefficiencies in message retrieval.
Innovation Solution
An unread-message reminding method and apparatus that displays an unread-message reminder icon on the session interface, allowing users to skip to the first or last unread message and updates the icon in real-time based on the reading state, ensuring all unread messages are easily accessible without disappearing the reminder.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the unread-message reminder icon disappears after skipping to the first unread message, then the user interface is simplified, but the user cannot be reminded of remaining unread messages
Solution Approach 1:
The unread-message reminder icon provides continuous feedback about the reading state by updating its display according to the number of remaining unread messages. When unread messages remain, the icon continues to display, prompting users to continue reading. This feedback mechanism resolves the contradiction by maintaining both interface simplicity and persistent reminder functionality.
2Loss of information
If the unread-message reminder icon remains visible after skipping to the first unread message, then remaining unread messages are reminded, but the interface becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The unread-message reminder icon implements dynamic behavior by changing its state based on the reading progress. The icon is initially displayed to remind users of unread messages, automatically disappears when the first unread message is skipped, and reappears or updates when remaining unread messages are detected. This dynamic characteristic allows the interface to remain simple while providing persistent reminders.
3Device complexity
If users manually slide the screen to find unread messages, then no additional reminder system is needed, but time is lost and efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by automatically positioning and skipping to the first unread message when the user triggers the reminder icon, eliminating the need for manual screen sliding. The system also pre-monitors the reading state to detect when users have stopped reading, enabling automatic reminders for remaining messages. This preliminary automation significantly reduces the time users spend finding unread messages.
4Productivity
If the system automatically skips to unread messages, then message retrieval efficiency is improved, but users may miss context from earlier messages
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by providing different interaction modes for different reading scenarios. When users trigger the unread-message reminder icon, the system automatically skips to the first unread message for efficient retrieval. However, the interface also maintains the ability for users to manually slide and review earlier messages if needed. This localized approach to automation balances efficiency with context preservation.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are an unread-message reminding method and apparatus, a terminal device and a storage medium. The method includes displaying, in response to receiving an activation instruction of a session interface and in a case where an unread message is present on the session interface, an unread-message reminder icon on the session interface; skipping, in response to receiving a trigger instruction of the unread-message reminder icon, to a corresponding unread message for a user to read; and updating, in real time and according to a session message received by the session interface in real time and an unread-message reading state, the unread-message reminder icon displayed on the session interface.