Centralized Learning Server for Spam Message Blocking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mobile wireless devices lack the computing power to run full-featured anti-spam software, making them incapable of effectively blocking unsolicited text messages, also known as spam, which are similar to email spam but harder to combat due to limited processing capabilities.
Innovation Solution
A learning server is introduced that allows subscribers to forward suspected spam messages for verification, using a designated phone number, where the learning module analyzes reports from multiple users to identify spam and initiates blocking at the message service center, reducing the computational burden on mobile devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mobile wireless devices run full-featured anti-spam software, then spam blocking capability is improved, but device complexity and computational resource requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a server as an intermediary component that performs spam detection and blocking decisions. The server receives suspected spam messages from mobile devices, analyzes them using sophisticated anti-spam algorithms, and instructs the message service center to block them. This mediator approach transfers the computational burden from resource-constrained mobile devices to a powerful server infrastructure, enabling effective spam blocking without requiring complex software on the devices themselves.
2Reliability
If mobile wireless devices implement anti-spam software, then spam filtering effectiveness is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to limited computing power
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the anti-spam software functionality from the mobile device and relocates it to a centralized server. By taking out the computationally intensive spam detection algorithms from the device with limited processing power, the system enables effective spam filtering while maintaining ease of operation on the mobile device. Users simply need to forward suspected spam to the server, which then handles the complex analysis and blocking operations.
3Reliability
If centralized server blocks spam messages, then spam blocking coverage is improved, but message transmission time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having the server analyze and verify suspected spam messages before they are blocked. When a mobile device forwards a suspected spam message to the server, the server immediately begins analysis and can quickly determine whether blocking is necessary. This preliminary verification process, while adding some time, ensures high blocking coverage by thoroughly checking messages before action is taken, preventing false positives and ensuring comprehensive spam protection.
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a subscriber who receives a spam message in his or her wireless mobile device may forward the message to a designated server for potential blocking. The message may be forwarded to the server using a designated phone number, for example. At the server, a learning module may verify if the message is indeed spam based at least on reports from other subscribers. If the message is spam, the server may initiate blocking of same or similar messages. For example, the server may report the spam message to a message service center, which may then block transmission of same or similar messages to all subscribers. The wireless mobile device may be a mobile telephone, for example.