Finite State Machine for Wireless Message Conversation State

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current messaging systems struggle to maintain state and context across multiple message exchanges in wireless device conversations, leading to inefficiencies in complex interactions such as financial transactions or account management, where multiple SMS or MMS messages are required to complete a task.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a method using Finite State Machines (FSM) with session identifiers and URL rewriting to manage message conversations, where a centrally-located Messaging Inter-Carrier Vendor (MICV) facilitates message routing and formatting, enabling preservation of state and context across exchanges.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional messaging systems are used without state management mechanisms, then message exchanges can occur freely, but state and context are lost across multiple message exchanges

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestate maintenanceVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a Finite State Machine (FSM) as an intermediary component that mediates between message exchanges and state management. The FSM maintains conversation state independently, allowing traditional messaging systems to gain state awareness without fundamentally redesigning the entire messaging infrastructure. The FSM acts as a mediator that receives messages, updates state, and generates appropriate responses while preserving context across exchanges.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the messaging system into distinct functional components: message reception, FSM state management, and message generation. By separating state management from the core messaging flow, the system can maintain conversation context without adding complexity to the entire messaging infrastructure. Each component operates independently but coordinates through standardized interfaces.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If Finite State Machines are implemented to manage message conversations, then state and context are preserved across exchanges, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconversation state preservationVSAvoidFSM implementation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal FSM framework that can handle multiple types of message conversations and service interactions through a single standardized mechanism. Rather than creating separate state management systems for different scenarios, the FSM provides a multi-functional platform that adapts to various conversation types through configuration rather than structural changes, reducing overall system complexity.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses session identifiers and URL rewriting techniques that create simplified copies or representations of complex state information. Instead of managing full conversation state directly, the system uses lightweight session tokens that reference the actual state stored in the FSM, reducing the complexity of state transmission and storage across message exchanges.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Ease of operation

If multiple messages are exchanged to complete complex tasks, then detailed interactions are possible, but efficiency and usability decrease

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser interaction efficiencyVSAvoidmessage exchange time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by pre-defining conversation states, transitions, and possible message sequences within the FSM. Common interaction patterns are prepared in advance, allowing the system to quickly navigate through expected user flows without requiring multiple ad-hoc message exchanges. The FSM anticipates user responses and prepares appropriate state transitions beforehand, reducing actual interaction time.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the FSM continuously monitors conversation state and provides real-time guidance on appropriate responses. The system analyzes incoming messages, determines the current state, and generates feedback that guides both the user and the service provider through the conversation flow, enabling faster completion of complex tasks through structured interaction patterns.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP2750338B1Facility for message-based conversations
Publication Date: 2017.10.04 SYBASE INC
  • EP2750338B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2750338B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2750338B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method and associated apparatus for maintaining the state of a message conversation across separate message exchanges to/from a wireless device includes receiving a message M1 from a wireless device in connection with a message conversation, ascertaining, from message M1, a key, based on the key, obtaining through a repository (a) the identity of a Finite State Machine (FSM) and (b) a plurality of attributes for the FSM including a current state of the FSM, based on the current state of the FSM, and the definition of the FSM, determining (a) a next state of the FSM and (b) an action corresponding to the next state of the FSM, performing the action corresponding to the next state of the FSM; and sending a message M2 to the wireless device, wherein message M2 is configured to further the message conversation.