Gateway Routing for Universal Communication Address
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users often face difficulties in sending messages across different communication channels, as they may be unfamiliar with the recipient's preferred application, leading to delayed or missed communications, and both parties may need to compromise on using an application neither prefers.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize a gateway to receive messages and evaluate rules to determine the recipient's preferred communication channel, converting the message format if necessary, and redirecting it to the recipient's preferred channel, allowing users to send messages using a universal address without knowing the recipient's specific channel preferences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If users send messages directly to recipients using specific communication applications, then the message can be delivered through the recipient's preferred channel, but the sender must know the recipient's preferred application which reduces ease of operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a gateway server as an intermediary between senders and recipients. The gateway receives messages destined for a recipient's universal address, determines the recipient's preferred communication channel using evaluation rules, and forwards the message through the appropriate channel. This mediator eliminates the need for senders to know recipient preferences while maintaining efficient delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a universal address system that works across multiple communication channels (email, SMS, instant messaging, etc.). Instead of requiring channel-specific addresses, users have a single universal address that the gateway can route to any preferred channel. This multi-functional addressing system simplifies operation while preserving communication efficiency.
2Productivity
If the system automatically determines the recipient's preferred communication channel using a gateway, then communication efficiency is maintained, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway system automatically determines recipient preferences using pre-configured evaluation rules without requiring manual intervention. The rules evaluate various factors (message type, recipient availability, channel preferences) and autonomously select the best communication channel. This self-service approach maintains high communication efficiency while avoiding the complexity of real-time human decision-making systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-establishes evaluation rules and recipient channel preferences before messages are sent. Recipients can pre-configure their preferred channels for different message types, and the gateway has pre-programmed rules for channel selection. This preliminary configuration reduces runtime complexity while maintaining efficient message routing.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple communication channels are supported for a single recipient, then adaptability is improved, but the address management complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal address system that abstracts away the complexity of multiple communication channels. Instead of managing separate email addresses, phone numbers, and instant messaging handles, users have a single universal address that works across all channels. The gateway handles the complexity of mapping this universal address to multiple channel-specific addresses, providing adaptability without burdening users with address management complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method includes receiving, at a gateway, a message for a recipient, responsive to the message being sent to the recipient at a first address. One or more rules are evaluated to select a preferred communication channel of the recipient, from among two or more communication channels. A channel-specific address of the recipient on the preferred communication channel is determined, where the channel-specific address differs from the first address. The message is directed, by the gateway, to the channel-specific address of the recipient to deliver the message to the recipient through the preferred communication channel.