Network Presence Inference via Push Email Activity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems face challenges in obtaining real-time network presence information without requiring permission, access, or exposure from network operators or service providers, as many service and network operators do not implement or expose this information for third-party service providers or enterprises.
Innovation Solution
Infer network presence by examining the interaction between a user, client, or device with a service or application on the network through methods such as checking update queues, activity logs, and notifications, allowing for the determination of presence without direct authorization from network operators, using existing services like push email systems and presence servers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If real-time presence information is captured by the network service provider, then presence information can be provided to subscribers, but network operators do not expose or allow subscriptions to this information for third party service providers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary presence detection system that operates between the network service provider and third-party service providers. This intermediary system uses push email servers and other network services as mediators to indirectly detect user presence without requiring direct access to the service provider's presence information. The intermediary translates indirect indicators (email delivery status, web server responses) into presence information that third parties can consume.
2Reliability
If permission and access are required from network operators to obtain presence information, then network security and control are maintained, but third-party service providers cannot obtain presence information
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables third-party service providers to self-obtain presence information without requiring permission or access agreements from network operators. By using publicly accessible network services (push email, web servers, DNS) that users have already authorized through their service subscriptions, the system allows third parties to independently detect and consume presence information.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes presence information universally accessible to any third-party service provider through standard network protocols and services. Instead of requiring special access rights or proprietary interfaces, the system uses universal network services (email, HTTP, DNS) that any third party can interact with, thereby making presence detection universally available without compromising network control.
3Measurement precision
If additional software or user interaction is required to determine presence, then more accurate presence detection is possible, but system complexity and user burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system leverages services and resources that users have already subscribed to and are actively using (push email, web browsing, DNS resolution). These services automatically provide the presence detection functionality without requiring users to install additional software or consciously interact with presence detection mechanisms. The user's existing engagement with these services self-generates the presence information.
Data Source
AI summary
The presence of a user or device on a network is inferred without requiring permission or exposure from a service provider or network operator. If updates for a user have been pending past a specified amount of time, the user can be inferred to not be present. If the user has requested updates within that specified time, the user can be inferred to be present. If presence cannot be inferred from past activity, a wake-up event can be sent to the user. The wake-up event can be piggy-backed on an existing protocol in order to have easy access to the user. If the user is present on the network, the user will respond to the wake-up event and the user's presence can be determined. If the user does not respond, it can be inferred that the user is not present. This presence can be provided to a third party.