Email Reply Terminal with Automatic Contact Matching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current communication devices lack an efficient method to quickly and easily reply to email messages using different communication methods, as they often require users to manually extract and match communication identifiers from email messages with their contact lists, leading to time-consuming and inefficient processes, especially when multiple recipients are involved.

Innovation Solution

A terminal and computer program product that automatically retrieve communication identifiers from email messages, match them with the user's contact list, and allow selection of the appropriate communication method for replying, including initiating calls, messages, or meetings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a user manually extracts and matches communication identifiers from email messages with contact lists, then the user can reply to the email message, but the process becomes time-consuming and inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of replying to emailVSAvoidtime required to reply

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by automatically extracting communication identifiers (phone numbers, email addresses, IM screen names) from the received email message and pre-matching them with the user's contact list before the user needs to reply. This preparation eliminates the need for manual extraction and matching during the reply process, significantly reducing the time and effort required.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-service by automatically extracting communication identifiers from the email message and matching them with contact list entries without requiring user intervention. The system serves itself by performing the tedious matching operation autonomously, allowing the user to simply select the desired communication method and recipient without manual data entry or matching.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If the user manually locates and adds multiple recipients to the reply message, then the reply can be sent to all intended recipients, but the process becomes extremely difficult and time consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereply processing speedVSAvoidcomplexity of reply process

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by automatically extracting all communication identifiers from the email message, including those in the header and body, and pre-organizing them into a matched list with contact information. This preparation is completed before the user initiates the reply process, eliminating the need for manual location and addition of recipients during the reply operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-service by automatically processing the complex task of identifying all recipients (sender, recipients, cc recipients, and persons mentioned in the body) and matching them with contact list entries. The system handles this complex data processing autonomously, presenting the user with a simplified interface to select communication methods and recipients without requiring manual intervention in the complex matching process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If the user switches between multiple applications to reply via different communication methods, then the user can communicate using the most appropriate method, but the process becomes inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication method flexibilityVSAvoidtime required to switch applications

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs universality by integrating multiple communication capabilities (email, telephone, instant messaging, text messaging) within a single unified interface. The system allows the user to select from multiple communication methods and automatically route the reply through the appropriate application, eliminating the need to manually switch between separate applications while maintaining the flexibility to use the most suitable communication method for each recipient.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS7831668B2Terminal and computer program product for replying to an email message using one of a plurality of communication methods

Publication Date: 2010.11.09 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY

AI summary

A terminal and computer program product allow a user of a communication device to quickly reply to a received email message using any one of several different communication methods. Communication identifiers, such as email addresses and telephone numbers, are automatically retrieved from anywhere in the received email message and the retrieved communication identifiers are matched to the user's contact list. A list is then generated comprising those contacts for which the extracted communication identifiers match the communication identifiers from the contacts and also comprising the extracted communication identifiers if the extracted communication identifiers do not match the communication identifiers from any contacts. This list is displayed to the user who can then select one or more contacts and/or communication identifiers. The use can then choose to reply to those selected using any one of the available communication methods.