Message-Based User Opt-In Verification for Spam Prevention

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing opt-in methods, such as double opt-in and email payment gateways, are inefficient, inconvenient, and insecure, particularly vulnerable to spamming and lack verification of user intent.

Innovation Solution

A method and system using a server system with computation means to validate user opt-ins through message evaluation and verification, ensuring the message includes an opt-in statement and is sent from a legitimate user address, employing technologies like SMTP, DNS, and digital signatures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If double opt-in method is used to verify user consent, then reliability of opt-in validation is improved, but device complexity and time consumption increase due to multiple confirmation steps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveopt-in validation reliabilityVSAvoidopt-in process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary verification by checking whether the user's device is authorized to send messages from the user's email address before completing the opt-in process. This preliminary action validates the user's identity and intent in advance, eliminating the need for subsequent confirmation steps while ensuring reliable opt-in validation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The invention extracts the essential verification element (message sending authorization) from the complex double opt-in process. By focusing solely on verifying whether the user's device can send messages from their email address, the system achieves reliable validation without the complexity of multiple confirmation steps.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Reliability

If double opt-in method is used to verify user consent, then reliability of opt-in validation is improved, but loss of time increases due to extra confirmation steps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveopt-in validation reliabilityVSAvoidopt-in process time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Ease of operation

If email payment gateway is used to receive user emails, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability decreases due to vulnerability to spamming and email spoofing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveopt-in process convenienceVSAvoiduser intent verification

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback from the email sending authorization check to verify user intent. By checking whether the user's device is actually authorized to send messages from their email address, the system receives feedback that confirms the user's identity and legitimate intent, preventing spamming and email spoofing while maintaining ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

4Reliability

If personal communication is used to obtain opt-in, then reliability of user consent is improved, but loss of time increases due to time-consuming manual process

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser consent verificationVSAvoidopt-in acquisition time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The invention replaces the mechanical system of personal communication with an automated electronic verification system. By checking whether the user's device is authorized to send messages from their email address, the system automatically verifies user consent reliability without requiring time-consuming manual communication between service providers and users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS20250279977A1Method for obtaining an opt-in of a user and an opt-in system thereof

Publication Date: 2025.09.04 KAJOMI GMBH

AI summary

A method and system for obtaining an opt-in of a user is provided and, more particularly, an opt-in of a user for providing a service to the user, the method to be implemented using a server system having a computation means which is configured to communicate with a user device. The method comprises the steps of providing service information including a server system address; sending, by the user device, a message from a user address to the server system address by an instruction of the user; receiving, by the computation means, the message sent from the user address to the server system address; validating, by the computation means, whether the message represents an opt-in by the steps of evaluating whether the message includes an opt-in statement; and verifying whether the message was allowed to be sent from the user address.