Online Message Spreading via Web Page Copying and Intermediary Server
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional chain emails are inefficient in terms of network bandwidth usage, lack size restrictions, cannot track message reach or success, and are intrusive, failing to provide effective means for spreading messages of common interest while maintaining user privacy.
Innovation Solution
A software service that creates a private social network for message spreading, allowing users to create and categorize messages with tracking features, promoting them efficiently without circular forwarding, and enabling non-intrusive delivery through user-controlled access, using collaborative filtering and search engine optimization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If chain emails are used to spread messages, then messages can be forwarded to friends, but network bandwidth and storage resources are consumed excessively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses web page copying instead of email replication. Each message is stored as a unique web page on a server, and friends access the same page through URLs. This eliminates the need to replicate message content across multiple email systems, dramatically reducing network bandwidth and storage consumption while maintaining efficient message spreading.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a web server as an intermediary between message authors and friends. The server stores messages and handles forwarding requests, replacing the direct email-to-email replication model. This intermediary architecture reduces redundant data transmission and storage requirements across the network.
2Productivity
If chain emails are used to spread messages, then messages can be forwarded manually, but there is no ability to track message reach or success
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms through web page viewing statistics and success metrics. The system tracks which friends have viewed messages, how long they spent on the page, and whether they forwarded it further. This feedback loop enables authors to measure message reach and effectiveness without requiring complex tracking infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the web page serve multiple functions: it displays the message content, provides tracking data, offers forwarding options, and collects user feedback. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate systems into a single web page, enabling comprehensive message tracking without additional infrastructure.
3Productivity
If chain emails are used to spread messages, then messages can be sent to many people, but the same email can get forwarded back to the same person creating circular forwarding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary action by storing the complete list of friends who have received a message on the web page itself. Before allowing forwarding, the system checks whether the potential recipient is already in this list. This preliminary verification prevents circular forwarding before it can occur, maintaining effective message distribution scope.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements self-service by having the web page automatically maintain and update the list of recipients. The system automatically checks against this list when processing forwarding requests, eliminating the need for manual tracking or complex external verification systems.
4Productivity
If chain emails are used to spread messages, then messages are pushed to recipients automatically, but this is intrusive as messages get pushed without user choice
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional chain email model by making friends actively visit the web page to read messages rather than having messages automatically pushed to them. The web page waits for friends to connect, and messages are delivered only when friends initiate the connection, eliminating the intrusive automatic pushing while maintaining efficient message distribution.
Data Source
AI summary
This invention consists of a restricted online social network system that does not expose one member's friends to other members and a method of spreading a message in the system by members asking the system to show the message to their friends, recursively. The system records each member's actions on a message and reports the message's overall reach, acceptance and effectiveness through various metrics. Further, when a viewer submits a form embedded in the message, the system can fulfill an online transaction or send an online communication. Also, the system integrates with internet search engines and online advertisement vendors to promote the message on the internet.