Email Access Verification Mediator
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Email recipients often face challenges when trying to access content referenced by embedded links in emails, as they may not have the necessary rights to access restricted resources, leading to manual processes and discontinuity.
Innovation Solution
A method that analyzes emails for links to remote content resources and determines if recipients have sufficient access rights, allowing transmission if rights are present, providing warnings or modifying the email by attaching/embedding content if not, ensuring all recipients can access the information.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If email includes links to restricted-access content, then email conciseness is maintained, but recipient accessibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system that sits between the email sender and the restricted content repository. This intermediary automatically verifies recipient access rights, retrieves content for recipients without proper credentials, and embeds or attaches the content directly to the email. This mediator resolves the contradiction by maintaining the concise link-based email format while ensuring all recipients can access the content regardless of their original access rights to the repository.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-verifying recipient access rights before email transmission and pre-retrieving content that may be needed. By checking credentials and preparing content in advance, the system eliminates the need for recipients to manually request access after receiving the email, thus maintaining both email conciseness and ensuring accessibility.
2Reliability
If manual access requests are implemented, then security is improved, but collaboration efficiency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service mechanism where the system automatically handles access verification and content retrieval without requiring manual intervention from recipients. When a recipient receives an email with a link to restricted content, the system autonomously checks their credentials, requests content from the repository if needed, and delivers it to the recipient. This self-service approach maintains security through automated credential verification while eliminating the productivity loss associated with manual access requests.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback loops where the automated access verification system continuously checks recipient credentials against the repository's access control list, receives feedback on access permissions, and automatically adjusts by retrieving or blocking content accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures security requirements are met while maintaining smooth collaboration flow without manual interruptions.
3Ease of operation
If content is embedded in email, then recipient accessibility is improved, but email system load increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by selectively embedding content only for specific recipients who lack access rights to the original repository, rather than embedding content for all recipients universally. The system analyzes each recipient's credentials and embeds content locally in the email only where necessary. This approach improves accessibility for those who need it while minimizing the overall email system load by avoiding redundant content duplication for recipients who already have access.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and computer program product for receiving an indication of an email being generated for at least one recipient. The email is analyzed to determine if the email includes at least one link to a piece of content on a remote content resource. If the email includes at least one link to a piece of content on a remote content resource, the at least one recipient is analyzed to determine if the at least one recipient has sufficient rights to access the piece of content on the remote content resource.