Body Detection for Automated Message Acknowledgement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing electronic messaging systems face challenges in ensuring reliable and timely acknowledgement of message receipt, particularly in situations where recipients may wish to deny or delay acknowledgement to reduce liability, such as in urgent notifications like critical laboratory values for medical personnel.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating a body detection device, such as a temperature sensor, motion detector, or combination of both, into electronic messaging devices to automatically send an acknowledgement message when the device is detected being carried by the recipient, ensuring confirmation of message receipt.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual acknowledgement is used, then the recipient has control over when to acknowledge, but the reliability of message receipt confirmation is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemessage receipt confirmation reliabilityVSAvoidacknowledgement control
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary detection of the recipient's presence through body detection devices before sending the acknowledgement message. This ensures that the message is acknowledged only when the intended recipient is actually present with the device, preventing scenarios where messages are acknowledged by unauthorized persons or when the recipient is not actually receiving the notification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the recipient's own body characteristics (temperature, motion patterns) detected by integrated sensors to automatically generate and send acknowledgements. The recipient's physiological data serves as the authentication mechanism, eliminating the need for manual input while ensuring that only the actual recipient can trigger the acknowledgement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If automated body detection is implemented, then message receipt confirmation reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemessage receipt confirmation reliabilityVSAvoiddetection system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The body detection devices are designed to serve multiple functions: they detect the presence of the recipient, verify that the device is being carried on the body, and can potentially be used for other health monitoring or authentication purposes. This multi-functionality justifies the added complexity by providing additional value beyond simple message acknowledgment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical acknowledgement actions (pressing buttons, typing responses) with automated sensor-based detection systems. The body detection devices use non-contact or minimal-contact sensing methods to detect physiological signals, substituting complex manual operations with simpler automated detection processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Extent of automation

If body detection devices are added, then automated acknowledgement capability is improved, but manufacturing cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveacknowledgement automationVSAvoidmanufacturing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The system detects changes in physical parameters (temperature, motion, proximity) to determine recipient presence. By monitoring these natural physiological parameters that occur when a person carries the device, the system achieves automation without requiring complex or expensive sensing mechanisms. The approach leverages readily detectable physical changes that occur naturally during normal device usage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution ensures reliable and automated acknowledgement of message receipt, reducing the need for voluntary responses and addressing the issue of delayed or denied acknowledgements, thereby enhancing the reliability of urgent notification systems.

Implementation Method 1

a body detection device, such as a temperature sensor, motion detector

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTemperature detection:

Implementation Method 2

a body detection device, such as a temperature sensor, motion detector

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMotion detection:

Data Source

PatentEP2228952B1Method for automated acknowledgement of electronic message
Publication Date: 2013.04.10 APFELROTH STEPHEN
  • EP2228952B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2228952B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2228952B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An electronic messaging device adapted to receive electronic messages from a sender. The electronic messaging device has a controller, a transmitter and receiver unit connected to the controller, a user interface connected to the controller, and a body detection device connected to the controller. After receipt of a notification message from the sender, the transmitter sends an acknowledgement message to the sender when the body detection device detects the presence of a recipient of the notification message.