Clearinghouse Server Translating Disparate IM Network Protocols

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Instant messaging (IM) networks often fail to intercommunicate, leading users to choose clients and networks based on social or employer preferences rather than features, functions, and costs, limiting interoperability and functionality.

Innovation Solution

A clearinghouse server system that translates messages between disparate IM networks by determining the destination network, checking protocol compatibility, and performing feature translations as needed, ensuring seamless communication across different IM protocols and features.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If users select IM clients and networks based on social or employer preferences, then ease of operation is improved, but interoperability and functionality deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of selecting IM clientVSAvoidinteroperability between IM networks

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a clearinghouse server as an intermediary component that sits between disparate IM networks. This clearinghouse receives messages from one network, translates them according to the destination network's protocol, and forwards them appropriately. This mediator enables interoperability without requiring users to manually configure compatibility settings, thus resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The clearinghouse server dynamically changes message parameters by translating protocols and formats. When a message arrives from one IM network, the clearinghouse modifies its parameters (protocol type, data format, addressing scheme) to match the destination network's requirements. This parameter transformation enables seamless communication across networks while maintaining user-friendly operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If IM networks use disparate protocols, then network independence and flexibility are improved, but communication compatibility deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork independenceVSAvoidmessage compatibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The clearinghouse serves as a protocol translator and intermediary between independent IM networks. Each network maintains its own independent protocol, but the clearinghouse ensures reliable communication by converting messages between different protocols. This resolves the contradiction by preserving network independence while guaranteeing message compatibility through intelligent translation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The clearinghouse server performs multiple functions: receiving messages from various networks, detecting destination networks, translating protocols, validating message formats, and forwarding messages. This multi-functional universal translator enables disparate networks to communicate reliably without compromising their individual independence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Adaptability or versatility

If a clearinghouse translation service is implemented, then interoperability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprotocol compatibilityVSAvoidsystem architecture

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By centralizing the translation function in a dedicated clearinghouse server, the patent avoids distributing complex translation logic across multiple clients and servers. This intermediary approach consolidates complexity into a single manageable component, improving interoperability while keeping individual network clients relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The clearinghouse automatically detects destination networks, selects appropriate translation rules, and executes protocol conversion without manual intervention. This self-service capability handles the complexity internally, presenting a simple interface to users while managing the architectural complexity through automated processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS7626991B2Clearinghouse for messages between disparate networks

Publication Date: 2009.12.01 VERIZON PATENT & LICENSING INC

AI summary

A system and method are directed towards managing interoperability between disparate IM networks. A clearinghouse server is provided that receives IM messages from disparate IM networks. The clearinghouse server examines the IM message to determine it is in a compatible protocol for a destination IM network. If the IM message is incompatible a translation service is used to translate the message into a compatible protocol. The translation service further determines if the destination IM network supports a feature employed by the received IM message. If the feature is supported or can be translated to a supported feature, the translation service will also perform the feature translation. Otherwise, the translation service may return an error message indicating that the received IM message includes an unsupported feature for the destination IM network. Upon satisfactory translation, the clearinghouse server forwards the translated IM message towards the destination IM network.