Email Attachment Indexing for Rapid Retrieval
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing email management systems face low efficiency and inconvenience in searching for email attachments due to the need for users to physically save and locate files in disk storage, leading to lengthy search times.
Innovation Solution
An email management method and apparatus that automatically identifies and saves attachment information, including content and attributes, in a special storage space, allowing for direct access and visualization, eliminating the need for keyword-based searches.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If users physically save emails and attachments in disk storages, then files are stored permanently, but searching for needed files becomes time-consuming and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary indexing system that creates a separate search database containing metadata (file names, senders, receiving times, paths) of saved attachments. This intermediary index allows rapid searching without scanning the entire disk storage, resolving the contradiction between reliable file storage and efficient file retrieval.
2Ease of operation
If users manually search for attachment files in disk storage, then comprehensive search coverage is achieved, but searching requires keyword input and takes long time
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by automatically creating and maintaining an index of attachment metadata (names, senders, times, paths) when emails are received. This pre-organization of data enables instant searching without requiring users to input keywords or wait for scans, thus improving both convenience and speed.
3Quantity of substance
If attachment files are saved in general disk storage, then storage space is utilized, but users cannot remember file locations and cannot find files easily
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the storage system into two parts: general disk storage for actual files and a separate indexing system for metadata. The index stores location information (paths) alongside file attributes, allowing users to retrieve files through the index without needing to remember physical locations, thus preserving location information while maintaining storage capacity.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention provides an email management method, apparatus and terminal device, wherein the method comprises: receiving an email, and judging whether said email is attached with an attachment; if said email is attached with an attachment, extracting attachment information of said email, and saving said attachment information. The solution of the present invention improves the efficiency of email searching, and makes it more convenient for the user to perform searching.