Presence Normalization Module for Time Zone Accuracy

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current presence information management in communications networks is inaccurate due to geographic constraints, particularly when presentity nodes traverse different time zones, leading to misrepresentation of availability and willingness to communicate.

Innovation Solution

A presence management subsystem with a presence normalization module that retrieves presence temporal information for a home time zone and normalizes it for a local time zone, enabling accurate presence state information to be sent to a presence server, which then publishes it to watcher nodes, ensuring precise availability and willingness to communicate are represented.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If presence temporal information is retrieved for a home time zone without normalization, then the system structure remains simple, but the accuracy of presence information deteriorates when the presentity node traverses different time zones

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of presence informationVSAvoidcomplexity of presence management subsystem

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The presence normalization module acts as an intermediary between the presence information retrieval and the presence state publication. It receives presence temporal information in the home time zone, normalizes it to the local time zone, and then the normalized information is used to determine presence state. This mediator resolves the contradiction by adding the necessary complexity only where needed (in the normalization step) while keeping the overall system architecture simple and modular.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the temporal parameter of presence information from home time zone to local time zone through normalization. This parameter transformation ensures that presence information accurately reflects the presentity's availability in their current local time zone context, resolving the accuracy issue without requiring complete system redesign.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If presence information is not normalized for local time zone, then the device complexity remains low, but communication opportunities are lost due to time zone mismatches

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication effectivenessVSAvoidcomplexity of time zone management

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The presence normalization module performs preliminary normalization of temporal information before presence state determination. By pre-converting home time zone information to local time zone, the system ensures that presence information is ready for accurate comparison with current local time, preventing communication opportunities from being lost due to time zone mismatches.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The normalization module serves as an intermediary processing step that bridges the gap between home time zone reference data and local time zone operational context. This intermediary ensures seamless integration without requiring complex real-time calculations during presence state updates.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Measurement precision

If presence temporal information is normalized for local time zone, then the accuracy of availability representation improves, but the processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprecision of availability representationVSAvoidcomplexity of normalization processing

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies parameter change by transforming temporal information from home time zone to local time zone through normalization. This focused parameter transformation improves availability representation precision without requiring complete system redesign, as it only affects the temporal parameter while leaving other presence information structures unchanged.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The normalization is applied locally to the temporal information parameter rather than to the entire presence information structure. This localized approach improves precision where needed (in time zone conversion) while minimizing the scope of complexity introduction, as only the presence normalization module needs to implement the conversion logic.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS10079900B2Techniques to manage presence information

Publication Date: 2018.09.18 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

Techniques to manage presence information are described. An apparatus may comprise a presence management component operative to manage presence information for a presentity node. The presence management component may comprise a presence normalization module operative to retrieve presence temporal information for a home time zone, and normalize the presence temporal information for a local time zone of the presentity node to form normalized presence temporal information. The presence management component may further comprise a presence control module communicatively coupled to the presence normalization module. The presence control module may be operative to send presence state information from the presentity node to a presence server based on the normalized presence temporal information. Other embodiments are described and claimed.