OTT User Association Management via Intermediary Messaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
The rise of over-the-top (OTT) services has created challenges for telecommunications providers as their revenue models are incompatible with OTT platforms that offer similar services at no cost to consumers, and there is a need for methods to affect user associations across multiple OTT service platforms.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for initiating and managing associations or disassociations between users across OTT service platforms, using a network node to determine the appropriate platforms and send messages for establishing or disestablishing connections, enhancing user experience and efficiency by automating interactions across various platforms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If OTT service platforms provide services at no cost to consumers, then user flexibility and service accessibility are improved, but telecommunications provider revenue models become incompatible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a messaging platform as an intermediary layer between telecommunications providers and users. This platform enables providers to deliver targeted messages (promotions, alerts, information) to users without charging per-communication fees, thus maintaining revenue streams while supporting the no-cost OTT service model. The intermediary resolves the contradiction by creating a new value-exchange mechanism that doesn't rely on traditional per-message pricing.
2Reliability
If OTT service providers limit interoperability to contact import functionality, then platform security and control are maintained, but user association capabilities across platforms are restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal messaging interface that can handle multiple types of user associations across different OTT platforms through a single unified system. The platform provides multi-functional capabilities including contact import, direct messaging, group formation, and cross-platform association management, all through one interoperable infrastructure. This resolves the contradiction by making the system versatile enough to support various association types while maintaining centralized control through the universal interface.
3Adaptability or versatility
If telecommunications providers develop functionality leveraging information from multiple OTT platforms, then competitive differentiation is achieved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a centralized messaging platform as an intermediary that aggregates information from multiple OTT platforms and presents it through a unified interface to telecommunications providers. This mediator layer handles the complexity of integrating data from various sources, allowing providers to access enriched user information and cross-platform insights without directly managing the complexity of each individual OTT platform. The intermediary absorbs the system complexity while enabling enhanced service functionality.
Data Source
AI summary
According to one aspect, the subject matter described herein includes a method for affecting user associations in over the top (OTT) service platforms. The method includes receiving a first message for initiating associations or disassociations between a first user and a second user of over the top (OTT) service platforms. The OTT service platforms are controlled and operated by distinct entities. The method also includes determining, using at least one of information in the first message and stored information, the OTT service platforms in which associations are to be established or disestablished. The method further includes sending at least a second message for establishing or disestablishing an association between the first user and the second user in the OTT service platforms.