Electronic Message Resistance Metering for Traffic Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

The excessive use of electronic messaging systems by users leads to increased costs for organizations due to resource consumption and recipient overload, as senders may send numerous messages of marginal value, unaware of the infrastructure costs and recipient workload, causing inefficiencies in message handling and prioritization.

Innovation Solution

Implementing an electronic message resistance value for each recipient, which determines message handling policies and priorities, such as delaying or lowering the priority of messages, based on the recipient's workload and infrastructure demands, to manage message traffic and reduce unnecessary message sending.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If users send electronic messages freely without restrictions, then ease of communication is improved, but infrastructure costs and recipient workload increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of communicationVSAvoidmessage traffic volume

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback by providing senders with information about recipient message resistance and current workload status. The messaging system monitors recipient inbox states and communicates this information back to potential senders, enabling them to adjust their messaging behavior accordingly. This feedback loop reduces unnecessary message traffic while preserving legitimate communication needs.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary assessment of recipient message resistance before messages are sent. By evaluating recipient workload and inbox state in advance, the system can prevent or delay messages when resistance is high, avoiding infrastructure overload and recipient burnout while maintaining communication flexibility when conditions are favorable.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Productivity

If message priority based on recipient workload is implemented, then message handling efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemessage handling efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system changes the parameter of message priority dynamically based on recipient workload conditions. Instead of static priority levels, messages are assigned priority based on real-time assessment of recipient message resistance, inbox state, and workload metrics. This allows efficient message handling that adapts to changing conditions without requiring complex manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The messaging system provides self-service by automatically assessing recipient message resistance and adjusting message priority without requiring manual intervention from users or administrators. The system monitors its own state and makes intelligent routing decisions based on recipient workload, reducing the need for complex external management while improving handling efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Loss of energy

If senders are made aware of messaging costs, then resource consumption is reduced, but user experience deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource consumptionVSAvoiduser experience

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies partial cost awareness by providing selective information to senders about messaging impact. Rather than imposing strict limits or heavy-handed restrictions, the system provides guidance about recipient message resistance and workload, allowing senders to make informed decisions about their messaging behavior. This partial disclosure reduces resource consumption while maintaining a positive user experience through voluntary cooperation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS8874671B2Electronic message metering and traffic management in a networked environment

Publication Date: 2014.10.28 MALIKIE INNOVATIONS LTD

AI summary

A system, method, electronic device and server are provided for metering electronic messages and for managing message traffic within an organization. An electronic message resistance value is stored for recipients within an organization. When a message is composed and addressed at a sending terminal, the electronic message resistance value may be retrieved and displayed at the sending terminal. The message server receiving the composed message for transmission to the recipient sends the message to the recipient in accordance with a priority determined based on the recipient's electronic message resistance; for example, the message may be sent with a low priority attribute, or the transmission of the message to the recipient may be delayed for a set period of time.