Email Gateway for Remote Data Retrieval and Formatting
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing email infrastructure lacks the ability to efficiently 'pull' specific data from other computers, as it primarily relies on 'push' methods, making data sharing and information retrieval cumbersome, especially when accessing the internet, where users must manually navigate and format results, and lacks direct upload or submission capabilities.
Innovation Solution
An email-based interface that acts as a single access point for requesting, receiving, publishing, and sharing data from multiple information systems, using an independent email server connected via APIs to relay requests, parse and format data, and return results in a user-friendly format, allowing for data retrieval and submission without complex system installations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If traditional e-mail push method is used to deliver information, then information can be sent to users, but users cannot efficiently pull specific data from remote computers
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an e-mail gateway as an intermediary component that bridges the push-based e-mail system and pull-based data retrieval needs. The gateway receives e-mail requests, translates them into appropriate data access operations, and returns results in e-mail format, enabling users to pull specific data from remote information systems through the familiar e-mail interface without requiring direct system access or complex protocols
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual navigation and formatting of web pages is required, then users can access information, but the process becomes confusing and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The e-mail gateway performs preliminary actions by automatically navigating to the requested information sources, retrieving data, and formatting results before delivery to the user. Instead of requiring users to manually navigate web pages and format data, the gateway pre-processes the information retrieval and presentation, delivering ready-to-read results directly in the e-mail message body
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service information retrieval where the gateway autonomously handles the entire data retrieval and formatting process based on simple e-mail requests. Users only need to send a request e-mail with their information needs, and the gateway automatically completes the navigation, data collection, and formatting tasks without requiring user intervention or expertise in web browsing protocols
3Productivity
If results are formatted based on the provider rather than the requestor, then data can be delivered, but the format may not display well in e-mail messages
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway applies parameter changes by transforming the formatting parameters of retrieved data to be suitable for e-mail display. It converts web-based formatting (HTML, complex layouts) into e-mail-appropriate formats (plain text, simplified structure, proper line breaks and spacing), ensuring that the data maintains its informational content while adapting its presentation parameters to the constraints and capabilities of e-mail clients
4Measurement precision
If direct access to information systems is required, then specific data can be retrieved, but complex systems must be installed on small devices
Solution Approach 1:
The e-mail gateway serves as a remote intermediary that eliminates the need to install complex information system access software on small devices like cell phones. Users can send e-mail requests from their devices, and the gateway (running on a more powerful system) handles the complex interactions with information systems, returning precise data results without requiring the user's device to have direct access capabilities or complex installations
Data Source
AI summary
Invention provides a method for an e-mail based interface to function as a single common access point for requesting, receiving, publishing, accessing and sharing various data from multiple, remote information systems. The invention becomes akin to a human relay operator in the loop which is transparent to the user. By relaying the e-mail chain, the invention performs multiple functions based on the originating request, and reply as a human would.