Abstract:
A computer implemented messaging process that expands reply capabilities and employs functions for propagating and referencing content data in a messaging network is described. The invention expands comment replies to a special tier of nesting that renders replies to replies as subordinate initial content, which can extend from any nested replies in the network. Furthermore, the process includes functions for transforming special tier content into stand-alone content and special tier content-referencing that allows special tier content to be attached onto any and all existing content in the network.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The application claims the benefit of a provisional application for utility patent application No. 61/945,915 filed on Feb. 28, 2014 
     
    
     STATEMENT OF FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT 
       [0003]    Not Applicable 
       REFERENCE TO A “SEQUENCE LISTING” 
       [0004]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    The present invention relates to the field of Internet based computer implemented messaging processes for text-based group communication. For the purposes of this patent application, a group communication messaging process software includes any form of group communication messaging process software including without limitation blogs, forums, chat rooms, message boards, threads, social media, social networking, wikis, instant messengers, text messaging, posting, and publishing software and applications. 
         [0006]    It is known in the art to provide group messaging applications for individuals to express ideas, collaborate with others, accomplish team goals or objectives, or to seek information. These systems generally host user-created accounts and store user-generated content for reference. In some cases, the processes identify user expertise or rank based on feedback from other users or metrics of specific user activity. 
         [0007]    The limitations of the known art are: (a) Static Organization—there exists no organic process for replying to specific content posted by users on a messaging application. In a thread, users have adopted a method of reposting the entirety of another user&#39;s content in order to identify their following content as a reply, thereby creating difficulties in tracking the conversation by cluttering the main conversation space with replies. Additionally, there exists no method for replying to replies in such a way that directs conversation toward ancillary topics or focuses replying specifically toward certain users and/or content; (b) Limited Functions—the existing functions are limited to publishing, posting, replying and rating. These limitations do not allow for exponential growth of content or cross content collaboration. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    An objective of the present invention is to provide a community of users with a platform for publishing user created content, interacting with other users, and collaborating to accomplish goals. A quality of the present invention that is unique to the art is the ability for the conversation space to grow by a number of dynamics: (1) the special tier reply, (2) the ability to transform an existing special tier reply and its subsequent content into a new thread, and (3) the ability to copy and paste content across multiple threads. Furthermore, special tier replying is a process by which users are able to respond to specific user content in the same fashion as an aside during an interpersonal conversation. Rather than cluttering the main line of a thread&#39;s conversation space with asides, the function of the special tier reply creates a more logical dynamic for the purpose of specific or exclusive replying. The second reply function described furthermore comprises the process by which users are able to perpetuate special tier reply content and its subsequent content and take it under administrative control. The third function described furthermore comprises the process by which users are able to copy content and insert it into another location within the same thread or within another thread. 
         [0009]    Additionally, an objective of the invention is to foster collaboration and brainstorming in groups. The functions of the messaging process allow for dynamic group communication. Users can engage in multiple smaller ancillary conversations that originate from the core topic of the initial thread content. Individuals with different areas of expertise or varied frames of reference can collaborate more effectively using this messaging process. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  shows a flow diagram of the process for creating the functions of the messaging system detailing an embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  shows a basic data model of the reply functions as they appear as data structures in the messaging system. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    The invention consists of three unique data structuring avenues for dynamic reply functionality in a text based messaging network. The first avenue consists of the ability for reply content to occupy a special tier of nesting that exists as an ancillary response nested aside the content it is in response to. This tier of nesting is treated as both a nested response and as the initial content of a sub-thread. The special tier nested reply may also be replied to in the same nesting fashion as an initial content post, and the subsequent responses may also produce special tier nested replies, so on and so forth, without limitation. The reply data is structured in such a way that it does not obstruct the conventional nested reply structure of the initial content, but rather multiplies the potential for the propagation of ancillary reply content (replies to replies). 
         [0013]    The second avenue depends directly upon the special tier nested reply function. Special tier nested reply content does not exist independently from the thread reply data it issues from, unless it is initiated by a user to be published as a stand-alone piece of initial content. The user may manually identify a special tier nested reply and transform it into the initial content of a new thread, wherein the nested replies and subsequent special tier replies are cut from the original thread and published with a new user-generated title and topic as a new thread. 
         [0014]    The third avenue consists of special tier reply content that already exists in the system. The user may designate that a special tier reply (and its subsequent reply content) be copied to a content clipboard and from there, be attached as reply content to another reply in the system. The copied content may only be posted as a special tier reply and not as a traditional nested reply. 
         [0015]      FIG. 2 . shows a basic data model illustrating the relationships between the three unique avenues of reply functionality and the conventional nested reply structure. The conventional nested reply structure  200  consists of the initial content  201  or first published message by a user, and the nested reply  202 . All elements labeled “Nested Reply” are all intended to be represented by  202 . Initial content  201  is generated by the user with input data such as title, topic, tags, and text content. Nested replies  202  consist of any reply data to the initial content by the same or other users, proceeding in chronological order by time stamp. Note that the arrows in this model are intended to illustrate president, not flow. A vertical arrow (down) illustrates a reply that follows another reply to the above initial content, and horizontal arrows represent the same, but for this special case, the special tier reply  203 . 
         [0016]    Special tier reply  203  represents the special function of ancillary reply capability. The special tier reply  203  can issue from any nested reply  202 . Any number of special tier replies  203  may originate from one nested reply  202 . Any replies regarding the content published in the special tier reply  203  are nested accordingly as though special tier reply  203  were initial content  201 , producing nested replies  202  subordinate to special tier replies  203 . Special tier reply  204  illustrates the principle that subordinate replies to the first level of special tier reply  203  may also consist of special tier replies  204  and onward in that fashion without limitation. 
         [0017]    Special tier reply  203  also represents an embodiment of the special tier reply  203  that produces an initial content  205 . Initial content  205  is the result of a user function in which a special tier reply  203  and any subordinate nested replies  202  or special tier replies  203  are cut from the conventional reply structure  200  and published as a new conventional reply structure  200  (hence the parenthesis). 
         [0018]    Special tier reply  203  represents an embodiment of the special tier reply  203  that produces a special tier reply data structure  206 . Special tier reply data structure  206  is the result of a user function in which a special tier reply  203  and any subordinate nested replies  202  or special tier replies  204  are copied from elsewhere in the network (hence the parenthesis) and attached to an existing nested reply  202  as a special tier reply  203 . 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is a flow diagram of the process for the messaging network&#39;s reply system. The process  100  illustrates the logic pathways when assigning relationships between various pieces of data in the data structure. “Start” represents both the beginning of the process and the point of entry for a user. Registration  101  embodies the process for a user first entering the network. Typically, registration consists of a user providing a conformation address (email) and the system assigning a user ID to that specific user, which, in the case of this process, is considered a standard practice in the art. Profile  102  is also a standard practice and consists of the user providing more detailed information and customizing their experience. The system logs any relevant user data entered in both the registration  101  and profile  102  process steps into a database  105  stored in a data storage device  104 . 
         [0020]    Initial content of a messaging thread  103  initiates the start of the messaging application. In  103 , a user publishes the first message, or initial content of a messaging thread. This thread is treated as a forum, in which the user who creates the initial content determines the title, topic, tags, and invitations for the messaging thread. The initial text content is then entered by said user, and the message thread  103  is published. The content entered in  103  is also entered into a database  105  stored in a data storage device  104 . 
         [0021]    A decision step for the logic of the system is represented in  106 . Should another user reply to the initial content of the published thread, the content shall be published as a nested reply  107 . Nested reply  107  is the first and only option for decisions in this stage of the messaging system matrix. Replies to initial content  103  shall continue to nest in conventional fashion, proceeding in chronological order by time stamp. Decision  108  occurs when a user replies to any nested reply  107  of the initial content  103 . If “yes”, than special tier reply  109  is published. 
         [0022]    Special tier reply  109  is published as ancillary content to the conventional messaging system reply matrix. The following decisions  110 ,  111  and  112  are dependent upon user functionality. Should a user decide to attach an existing special tier reply to another nested reply in the system, the decision  110  illustrates that the system treat the content as a special tier reply. Decision  111  represents when a user replies to the content of a special tier reply  109 , that the reply be treated as a nested reply  107 . Decision  112  represents when a user transforms a special tier reply  109  into a new thread. Note: the pathways of the decision matrix illustrate the propagation of ancillary content, meaning that the decisions may continue to redirect any number of times up the structure. All content published by users following any decision on the application is entered into a database  105  stored in a data storage device  104 , as is customary in the art.