MMS Image Integration into Draft Documents via Server Intermediary

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing methods for transferring images from mobile devices to desktop computers for inclusion in draft documents are cumbersome, requiring hardwired connections or cloud storage, and consume unnecessary computing resources.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that allows users to add images to a draft via multimedia messaging service (MMS), where the server sends an SMS request to the mobile device, and the user responds with an MMS message containing the image, which is directly received and integrated into the draft document, eliminating the need for hardwired connections and cloud accounts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If images are transferred from mobile device to desktop computer via hardwired connection or cloud storage, then images can be added to draft documents, but user effort and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser effortVSAvoidtransfer process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a server as an intermediary that receives images directly from the mobile device via MMS and stores them, eliminating the need for direct hardwired connections between devices or manual cloud storage operations. The server mediates the image transfer process, simplifying user operations while maintaining system functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If images are transferred via traditional methods to desktop computer, then images can be included in drafts, but computing resources are consumed unnecessarily

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomputing resource efficiencyVSAvoidprocessor cycles and memory storage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the image reception and storage functionality from the desktop computer and relocates it to the server. By taking out these computational tasks from the client device, the system reduces unnecessary processing and memory usage on the desktop computer while maintaining the ability to include images in draft documents.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If hardwired connections or cloud storage are used for image transfer, then images can be added to drafts, but the process becomes cumbersome

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of image additionVSAvoidtime for image transfer

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical process of hardwired connections and manual cloud storage operations with an automated MMS-based communication system. The server automatically receives images via MMS messages and integrates them into drafts, eliminating the need for physical connections and manual file transfers, thereby reducing time and effort requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11888799B2Adding images via MMS to a draft document

Publication Date: 2024.01.30 EBAY INC

AI summary

A user may use a client device to create a draft document by interacting with a server. The user provides an image in a message (e.g., a multimedia messaging service (MMS) message) from a different device. The server receives the image and modifies the draft (e.g., by updating a web page being displayed on the client device). This process allows the user to type text for a draft using a client device that includes a keyboard (e.g., a desktop or laptop computer) and to add an image to the draft using a second device that includes a camera (e.g., a mobile phone or tablet computer) without having to transfer the image from the second device to the first device.