Smart Object Notification via Social Network Intermediary

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Solution Overview

Problem

Smart objects face challenges in communicating notifications to users efficiently, as proprietary communication systems are costly and resource-intensive, leading to delayed or missed notifications due to the need for proprietary applications that may not be active on user devices.

Innovation Solution

A notification framework that utilizes an existing social-networking system as a platform for smart objects to send notifications and receive actions from users, leveraging short-range wireless communication and codes to ensure timely and convenient delivery of notifications through active social-networking applications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If smart objects use proprietary communication systems to send notifications, then communication reliability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenotification delivery reliabilityVSAvoidcommunication system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by enabling smart objects to use existing social networking applications for notification delivery instead of requiring dedicated proprietary communication systems. The smart object leverages the universal platform of social networking apps that users already have installed and active on their devices, eliminating the need for separate communication infrastructure while maintaining reliable notification delivery.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The social networking application serves as an intermediary between the smart object and the user device. Instead of direct proprietary communication, the notification flows through the social networking app which acts as a mediator, receiving the notification from the smart object via network and delivering it to the user's device through the existing application interface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If smart objects require proprietary applications on user devices, then notification security is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenotification securityVSAvoiduser device operation convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The invention leverages the universality of social networking applications that are already installed and actively running on most user devices. Instead of requiring users to install and manage separate proprietary applications, the system uses the universally adopted social networking platform, significantly improving ease of operation while maintaining security through the established security measures of the social networking infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If proprietary applications are installed on user devices for smart object communication, then communication reliability is improved, but resource consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoiduser device resource consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The social networking application provides self-service by already being installed, updated, and maintained by the user or the social networking provider. The application handles its own resource management, security updates, and operational maintenance, eliminating the need for additional resource consumption that would be required to install and maintain separate proprietary communication applications on user devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3367614B1Notification framework for smart objects
Publication Date: 2021.07.14 META PLATFORMS INC
  • EP3367614B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3367614B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3367614B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Embodiments of a notification framework for smart objects (e.g., smart televisions) to deliver notifications to user devices are described. In one embodiment, a method includes a server receiving an event-registration request from a smart object. The event-registration request may include event information associated with an event associated with the smart object. In response to the request, the server may generate a code, associate the code with the event information, and send the code to the smart object. The smart object may then broadcast the code to the user device through, e.g., short-range wireless communication. The server may receive an information request from a user device that includes the code, and in response send the event information associated with the code to the user device.