Mixed Mode IM for Multi-Endpoint Messaging

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current instant messaging (IM) models either require active session acceptance, limiting user experience when logged into multiple endpoints, or support multiple endpoints but sacrifice desirable session-based features, failing to provide an enriched user experience.

Innovation Solution

Implementing an IM mixed mode operation that initiates connectivity in page mode and converts to session-based mode upon device identification, allowing seamless communication across multiple user devices while maintaining session-based IM benefits.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If session based IM is used to establish direct endpoint-to-endpoint communication, then messaging efficiency and user experience are improved, but it cannot support users logged into multiple client endpoints simultaneously

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemessaging efficiencyVSAvoidmulti-endpoint support

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between page mode and session based mode depending on whether the target endpoint is identified. Initially operating in page mode to support multiple endpoints, it transitions to session based mode once the specific endpoint is determined, thereby adapting to different operational states and resolving the contradiction between multi-endpoint support and messaging efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The messaging process is segmented into two distinct phases: page mode phase for initial contact and endpoint identification, and session based mode phase for actual communication. This segmentation allows each mode to operate in its optimal context without the limitations of the other

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If page mode IM is used to support multiple registered endpoints, then multi-device accessibility is enabled, but session based messaging features and user experience are lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemulti-endpoint supportVSAvoidmessaging efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system transitions from static page mode operation to dynamic mode switching, where it begins in page mode to support multiple endpoints but automatically converts to session based mode once the target endpoint is identified, thereby gaining both multi-endpoint support and session-based messaging efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If active acceptance is required for IM sessions, then session control is improved, but user experience and message delivery speed are degraded

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesession controlVSAvoiduser experience

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary endpoint identification and session setup actions through page mode messaging before actual communication begins. By pre-establishing the session parameters and target endpoint identification, the system eliminates the need for active user acceptance during the messaging process, thereby improving user experience while maintaining session control

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS7725553B2Mixed messaging mode for multiple points of presence

Publication Date: 2010.05.25 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

A facility for providing an IM mixed mode operation by utilizing both page mode IM and session based IM jointly in the same IM conversation is provided. The facility initiates an IM conversation between an originating user registered at an originating device and a remote user registered at a plurality of devices initially in page mode. Subsequent to discovering the identity of a remote device used by the remote user to initially reply to the IM conversation, the facility converts the IM conversation from page mode IM to session based IM.