Fallback Messaging Protocol Switching for Intermittent Connectivity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current electronic communication systems are limited in their ability to reliably exchange messages when Internet connectivity is intermittent or unavailable, leading to failures in sending or receiving messages, especially on portable devices with unreliable network access.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for fallback messaging that includes an interface module, a fallback determination module, and a dispatcher, which determine the availability of a network data connection and dispatch message data using either a native messaging protocol or a fallback messaging protocol based on the connection availability, ensuring message delivery even without a stable Internet connection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If messages are sent using native messaging protocol via network data connection, then message delivery efficiency is improved, but message delivery reliability deteriorates when Internet connectivity is intermittent or unavailable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemessage delivery efficiencyVSAvoidmessage delivery reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically changes the messaging protocol parameter based on network conditions. When Internet connectivity is available, it uses the native messaging protocol for efficient delivery. When connectivity is intermittent or unavailable, it switches to fallback protocols (SMS, email) to ensure reliable delivery, thus resolving the contradiction between efficiency and reliability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The messaging system implements dynamic adaptability by continuously monitoring network connection status and automatically switching between different messaging protocols. The fallback determination module detects connection availability and dynamically routes messages through appropriate protocols, making the system flexible and reliable under varying network conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Reliability

If fallback messaging protocol is used when network data connection is unavailable, then message delivery reliability is improved, but messaging system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemessage delivery reliabilityVSAvoidmessaging system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fallback determination module acts as an intermediary component that simplifies the overall system architecture. It centrally manages the logic for detecting network availability and selecting appropriate protocols, thereby containing the complexity within a single module rather than distributing it throughout the entire messaging system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The messaging system is designed with multi-functionality by incorporating multiple messaging protocols (native messaging protocol, SMS, email) within a single unified system. This allows the system to handle various network conditions using different protocols, achieving reliability without requiring separate specialized systems for each scenario

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

Data Source

PatentEP3285434B1Fallback messaging
Publication Date: 2021.03.10 GOOGLE LLC
  • EP3285434B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3285434B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3285434B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

There is described a method, comprising: receiving, at a computing device, message data associated with a message to be sent to a recipient; determining, by the computing device, whether a first data channel is available for sending the message to the recipient via a group messaging engine, the group messaging engine using a first messaging protocol to exchange messages between two or more users; responsive to determining that the first data channel is available, transmitting, by the computing device, the message to the group messaging engine using the first data channel and the first messaging protocol; responsive to determining that the first data channel is not available, determining whether a predetermined user setting indicates a pre-selection by a user of a second data channel for sending the message to the group messaging engine when the first data channel is not available; and responsive to determining that a predetermined user setting indicates a pre-selection by a user of a second data channel for sending the message to the group messaging engine when the first data channel is not available, transmitting, by the computing device, the message to the group messaging engine using the pre-selected second data channel and a second messaging protocol.