Multi-Channel Block Filter for Mobile Device Traffic

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing mobile devices lack a comprehensive solution to block all incoming traffic across multiple communication channels simultaneously, with current methods either not stopping traffic or requiring selective blocking of specific types, which does not address repetitive or unwanted communications from various sources.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that allow users to create and execute a block filter across all designated communication channels on a mobile device or server, enabling universal, selective, or time-based blocking of incoming traffic, with options for permanent, temporary, or scheduled blocking, and the ability to specify source identifiers for blocking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If notification profiles are used to silence incoming communications, then audio and tactile notifications are suppressed, but incoming traffic is still processed and stored on the mobile device

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenotification disturbanceVSAvoidnetwork and device processing resources
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the harmful aspect (processing and storing unwanted communications) from the system by implementing a block filter that prevents incoming traffic from being processed or stored on the mobile device, while still allowing the device to remain powered on and capable of outgoing communications

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The block filter acts as an intermediary element between the network and the mobile device, intercepting incoming communications before they reach the device and preventing them from being processed or stored, thus eliminating the waste of network and device resources

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If blocking is applied to specific communication types, then unwanted traffic of that type is prevented, but communications on other channels remain unblocked

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveunwanted communicationsVSAvoidmulti-channel blocking capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal block filter that can block communications across multiple communication channels simultaneously (voice calls, SMS/MMS, email, instant messaging, VOIP), allowing a single filtering mechanism to handle diverse communication types rather than requiring separate blocking solutions for each channel

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the mobile device radio is turned off to block all incoming traffic, then no communications are received, but the device cannot send outgoing messages

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveincoming trafficVSAvoidoutgoing communication capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the communication blocking function from the overall device operation by implementing a selective block filter that only intercepts incoming communications while leaving the device's outgoing communication capabilities fully functional, allowing users to block unwanted incoming traffic without affecting their ability to send messages

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP1988695B1System and method for multi-channel blocking
Publication Date: 2009.04.08 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP1988695B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1988695B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1988695B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A system and method for multi-channel blocking, the method having the steps of: creating a block filter to block a plurality of communication channels to a mobile device (112); communicating the block filter to a blocking element (114); and executing the blocking filter at the blocking element (116).