Relay Site for PIN Messaging Without Host Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing wireless communication systems face challenges in maintaining communication between mobile devices when network infrastructure, such as email servers, is unavailable, particularly for PIN messages which rely on central host systems and unique PIN addresses that are not easily accessible during network disruptions.

Innovation Solution

A relay site with a relay server and data store is introduced to manage and facilitate communication between mobile devices by storing PIN addresses and allowing users to query and update them independently of central host systems, enabling PIN message transmission even when network infrastructure is down.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If PIN messages rely on central host systems and email servers for transmission and address lookup, then message routing and address management are centralized and controlled, but communication cannot be maintained when network infrastructure is unavailable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication continuityVSAvoiddependency on central infrastructure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the centralized PIN messaging system into distributed components: local address books on individual mobile devices and decentralized relay sites. This allows the system to function partially even when central infrastructure is unavailable, as devices can communicate using locally stored PIN addresses without requiring email servers or central host systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements local quality by storing PIN addresses and contact information directly on mobile devices in local address books, rather than requiring all lookups to occur through central servers. This local storage enables devices to maintain communication capabilities independently when network infrastructure is down, trading centralized control for local autonomy and reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Loss of information

If PIN addresses are stored centrally at enterprise or host systems, then address management is centralized, but PIN information becomes inaccessible when network components are disabled

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccessibility of PIN informationVSAvoiddifficulty of accessing PIN addresses
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-storing PIN addresses and contact information in local address books on mobile devices before network disruptions occur. Users can proactively synchronize their address books with relay sites or enterprise servers while connectivity is available, ensuring that PIN information is readily accessible even when network components are later disabled.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces relay sites as intermediary systems that bridge between central enterprise servers and mobile devices. These relay sites maintain copies of address information and can provide PIN address lookup services independently of the central email server infrastructure, facilitating access to PIN information when direct connections to enterprise systems are unavailable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If the system repeatedly queries host systems to obtain contact information, then the listing of PIN addresses can be kept updated, but the system cannot obtain updates when email servers and BES are unavailable

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveavailability of updated PIN addressesVSAvoidability to update address information
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamics by enabling the address book synchronization process to adapt to network availability. The system can dynamically switch between querying central host systems when available and relying on locally cached information when servers are unavailable. Relay sites provide an intermediate synchronization point that maintains address information availability even when direct connections to enterprise email servers are disrupted.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP1864523B1System and method for personal identification number messaging
Publication Date: 2013.02.13 BLACKBERRY LTD
  • EP1864523B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1864523B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1864523B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A relay site associated with a wireless network can send messages between mobile devices associated with the wireless network without having to transmit the messages to a host system. The messages include PIN messages and each of the mobile devices has a PIN address. The relay site includes a relay server for controlling the operation of the relay site, and sending the PIN messages between the mobile devices. The relay site also includes a relay data store having PIN information for users associated with the mobile devices. The relay server can access the relay data store to allow users that use the mobile devices to query the relay data store for PIN information of other users.