Electronic Stamp System for Spam Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems waste computational resources as recipients receive and store unwanted electronic correspondence such as emails and text messages, with no efficient method to prevent junk messages beyond manual deletion.
Innovation Solution
An electronic stamp system that intercepts electronic correspondence, determines recipient requests for an electronic stamp, and manages its attachment, forwarding, and reuse, using cryptocurrencies or tokens to impose a cost on senders for unwanted messages.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If electronic correspondence is sent freely without restrictions, then communication accessibility is improved, but spam and junk messages increase causing waste of computational resources
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies preliminary anti-action by requiring senders to attach an electronic stamp (cryptocurrency or token) to their messages before transmission. This pre-imposed cost creates a deterrent against spam and junk messages, preventing computational resource waste before it occurs. The stamp requirement acts as a preliminary barrier that filters out malicious senders who are unwilling to pay the imposed cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The electronic stamp system introduces an intermediary mechanism (the stamp attachment and verification system) between the sender and recipient. This intermediary verifies whether the sender has attached the required stamp before allowing message delivery, thereby controlling the flow of correspondence and preventing resource waste from unwanted messages while maintaining accessibility for legitimate communication.
2Ease of operation
If recipients receive and delete unwanted messages manually, then message control is achieved, but time and computational resources are wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by filtering and controlling message delivery before messages reach the recipient. The electronic stamp verification occurs in advance, preventing unwanted messages from being delivered in the first place. This eliminates the need for recipients to manually review and delete spam messages, saving both time and computational resources.
3Productivity
If electronic stamps are made reusable and tradable, then system efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The electronic stamp system applies universality by designing stamps that serve multiple functions: they act as payment for message transmission, serve as reusable credits for future messages, and can be traded between users. This multi-functionality improves system efficiency by allowing stamps to circulate and be reused, reducing the need for continuous new stamp creation while managing complexity through standardized stamp protocols.
4Object-generated harmful factors
If a cost is imposed on senders for each message, then spam reduction is achieved, but ease of sending messages decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies parameter changes by allowing the stamp value and requirements to be adjusted based on message type, recipient preferences, and system policies. This flexibility reduces spam by imposing costs on unwanted messages while maintaining ease of operation for legitimate communication, as the stamp requirement can be modified to match the actual cost and importance of different types of correspondence.
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes at least one processor to receive a piece of electronic correspondence from a sender computing device, determine that the piece of electronic correspondence is sent to a recipient that requests that the piece of electronic correspondence has an electronic stamp, send a request to attach the electronic stamp to the piece of electronic correspondence to the sender computing device, receive the piece of electronic correspondence with the electronic stamp and forward the piece of electronic correspondence to the recipient, receive one of an acknowledgement and a rejection of the piece of electronic correspondence from the recipient, and return the electronic stamp to the recipient after the acknowledgement to allow the electronic stamp to be reused in a future piece of electronic correspondence.