Email Processing Using Semantic Relationship Rules
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current email processing technologies are inadequate in categorizing and prioritizing solicited messages based on the semantic relationship between the sender and recipient, failing to differentiate messages by importance and urgency, and are not adaptable to changes in the sender-recipient relationship.
Innovation Solution
A system that processes electronic mail messages using a set of rules based on semantic relationships between senders and recipients, employing a manager to ascertain properties from received messages and apply corresponding rules to categorize and prioritize messages, with rules derived from organizational charts or external databases to direct message handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If email processing tools use limited fields (sender name, subject line, message content) to classify messages, then processing speed is maintained, but the ability to accurately categorize solicited messages by importance and relationship is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-establishes semantic relationships between senders and recipients in advance, storing them in a database. When an email arrives, the system quickly queries this pre-built relationship data rather than analyzing relationship context in real-time, thus improving classification accuracy without significantly increasing processing complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a semantic relationship database as an intermediary between the email processing system and the classification rules. This database stores pre-analyzed relationship information (e.g., manager-subordinate, colleague, client relationships), allowing the system to make accurate classifications without directly complex relationship analysis during email processing
2Adaptability or versatility
If email processing rules are based on fixed sender addresses or keywords, then automation is achieved, but adaptability to changes in sender-recipient relationships (e.g., new managers, job transfers) is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from static email filtering rules to dynamic relationship-based rules. The semantic relationship database can be updated to reflect organizational changes (new managers, transfers, promotions), and these changes automatically affect email routing and prioritization without requiring manual rule updates. The system adapts dynamically as relationship data changes
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically detects and adapts to relationship changes through integration with organizational directory services or social networking data. When relationship information changes in the underlying data sources, the semantic relationship database updates automatically, and the email processing system adapts without human intervention, eliminating the need for manual rule updates
3Productivity
If all solicited messages are placed in the recipient's inbox without categorization, then message delivery is simple, but the recipient cannot efficiently prioritize urgent work-related communications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the inbox into multiple priority levels or categories based on the semantic relationship between sender and recipient. Messages from high-priority relationships (e.g., direct managers, key clients) are automatically routed to priority folders or marked with urgency indicators, while less critical messages remain in the general inbox. This segmentation helps recipients focus on important communications without complicating the overall system operation
Solution Approach 2:
Different handling rules are applied to different segments of incoming messages based on their relationship context. Rather than applying a uniform rule to all emails, the system applies localized quality differentiation - urgent work-related messages receive special handling (priority folders, notifications, or routing to specific team members), while casual or low-priority messages follow standard processing
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments are provided for processing received electronic mail messages. A received message is processed based upon a set of rules made up of at least first and second sets of rules. The processing includes ascertaining a property derived from the received message and determining a set of rules associated with the ascertained property. The received message is processed corresponding to at least one rule in the first set of rules if the ascertained property is associated with the first set of rules, and the received message is processed corresponding to at least one rule in the second set of rules if the ascertained property is associated with the second set of rules. The received message is communicated to a recipient based on the at least one rule.