Automatic Message Expiration on Communication Devices
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for users to control how long messages remain accessible on recipient communication devices, as existing technologies do not provide a method for determining the duration of message availability on the recipient's device.
Innovation Solution
A method is implemented on an end-user communication device to process received electronic communications with a digital packet containing a header segment and a user data segment, where the user data segment includes a command for automatic expiration with a specified value indicating how long the message will be available for display, preventing access after the expiration time.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Duration of action of stationary object
If messages are kept indefinitely on recipient devices, then message availability is improved, but device memory consumption and network clutter increase
Solution Approach 1:
The message originator sets an expiration time parameter before sending the message, predetermining how long the message will be retained on the recipient's device. This preliminary action eliminates the need for continuous message management and automatically resolves the contradiction by deleting messages after the specified duration, preventing device memory consumption and network clutter.
2Productivity
If TTL parameter is used in transport network, then network congestion is prevented, but message retention control on recipient devices is not achieved
Solution Approach 1:
The invention separates the TTL function into two independent segments: (1) network-level TTL for preventing congestion during transit, and (2) device-level expiration time for controlling message retention on recipient devices. This segmentation allows each parameter to independently address its specific function without interfering with the other, achieving both network efficiency and message retention control.
Solution Approach 2:
The expiration time parameter acts as an intermediary between the transport network and the recipient device, carrying retention instructions from the originator through the network to the destination device. This intermediary parameter enables the originator to control message lifecycle on the recipient device without direct intervention, bridging the gap between network transmission and device-level message management.
3Ease of operation
If no message expiration mechanism is implemented, then message access control is simple, but users cannot determine how long messages remain accessible
Solution Approach 1:
The message originator autonomously determines and sets the expiration time for their own messages without requiring recipient intervention or complex system configuration. This self-service approach maintains ease of operation by allowing originators to directly control message availability duration, while simultaneously preventing information loss through automated expiration enforcement on recipient devices.
Data Source
AI summary
An exemplary method is implemented by a first end-user communication device for processing a received electronic communication that includes a digital packet having a header segment and a user data segment. The user data segment contains a first command and a user message, where the first command contains a first parameter representing automatic expiration and an associated first value representing how long the user message will be available for display by the first end-user communication device. Under the control of an enhanced services application program, the user message in clear text format is generated for display on a screen of the first end-user communication device. A determination is made of the expiration of the time set by the first value, and upon the expiration, the clear text user message is thereafter prevented from being accessed by the first end-user communication device.