Instant Message Deletion via Server Mediation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current instant messaging technologies do not allow unilateral deletion of sent messages from the transmission end, requiring negotiation and cooperation from the receiving end, which limits user control and flexibility.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that enables a communication terminal to request the deletion of a sent instant message by identifying it and forwarding the request to a server, which determines if the message has been forwarded to the receiving terminal, and if so, facilitates its deletion without requiring user intervention from the receiving end.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the current negotiation-based deletion method is used, then the receiving end can control message deletion, but the transmission end cannot unilaterally delete sent messages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary to mediate the deletion process. When the transmission end wants to delete a message, it sends a deletion request to the server, which then forwards the request to the receiving end. The server acts as a mediator that enables unilateral deletion control for the transmission end while maintaining system coordination, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and process complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The deletion process is segmented into distinct phases: the transmission end initiates deletion by sending a request to the server, the server processes and forwards the request to the receiving end, and the receiving end executes the deletion. This segmentation allows the transmission end to have unilateral control initiation while distributing the execution complexity across multiple system components rather than requiring direct peer-to-peer negotiation.
2Ease of operation
If negotiation and cooperation from the receiving end is required for message deletion, then message deletion can be controlled by both parties, but the transmission end cannot achieve unilateral deletion
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by having the transmission end pre-send deletion requests to the server, which maintains these requests in a pending state until the message is successfully delivered to the receiving end. This preliminary preparation of deletion requests eliminates the need for real-time negotiation at the moment of deletion, allowing the transmission end to initiate deletion without waiting for receiving end confirmation, thus reducing time loss while maintaining controlled deletion capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The server implements a feedback mechanism where it monitors message delivery status and automatically triggers the deletion request forwarding to the receiving end once successful delivery is confirmed. This feedback-based automation eliminates the need for manual negotiation and waiting, allowing the transmission end to achieve unilateral deletion capability while the system automatically manages the timing and coordination, thereby reducing time loss.
3Ease of operation
If the receiving end must trigger the deletion operation, then the receiving end maintains control over message deletion, but the transmission end loses control of the deletion operation
Solution Approach 1:
The server acts as an intermediary that receives deletion requests from the transmission end, monitors message delivery status, and automatically forwards deletion requests to the receiving end when appropriate. This intermediary mechanism transfers control initiation to the transmission end while the server manages the coordination complexity, allowing the transmission end to have control without directly managing the complex interaction with the receiving end.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements self-service by enabling the transmission end to autonomously initiate and manage the deletion process by simply sending a deletion request to the server. The server and receiving end automatically handle the subsequent coordination and execution without requiring active participation or triggering from the receiving end, thus giving control to the transmission end while reducing the control mechanism complexity through automation.
Data Source
AI summary
A method, system and terminal for deleting a sent instant message in messaging communication have been disclosed. The method including: receiving from a first communication terminal, a delete request to delete a sent instant message which has been transmitted from the first communication terminal to a second communication terminal, wherein the delete request comprises an identification which identifies the sent instant message which is to be deleted; determining whether the sent instant message which is to be deleted has already been successfully forwarded to the second communication terminal; and if it is determined that the sent instant message which is to be deleted has already been successfully forwarded to the second communication terminal, forwarding the delete request to the second communication terminal to facilitate deletion of the sent instant message by the second communication terminal.