Retrospective Message Update System for Email Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electronic communication systems fail to effectively address mistakes in sent messages, such as forgotten attachments or typos, leading to confusion and duplication of messages in recipients' inboxes, as they do not allow for retrospective changes to already sent messages.
Innovation Solution
A computer program product that enables the update of previously sent messages by determining changes based on a request, notifying recipients, and forwarding updates to additional recipients if necessary, with policies governing allowed changes and notification methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If sent messages are recalled to correct mistakes, then message accuracy is improved, but recipients must send additional messages to correct mistakes, increasing communication overhead
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by automatically generating and sending a correction message when a recall is initiated. Instead of requiring manual follow-up, the correction is prepared and dispatched in advance, eliminating the need for recipients to manually send additional messages and reducing communication overhead.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary mechanism that automatically manages the correction process between the sender and recipient. This intermediary automatically generates, sends, and tracks correction messages, mediating the communication flow and eliminating the need for manual intervention and reducing time loss.
2Reliability
If sent messages are recalled, then incorrect information is removed, but recipients will have two versions of the message in their inbox, causing confusion
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates a copy of the original message with corrections applied, rather than deleting the original. This copy is then sent to the recipient, allowing them to have both versions in their inbox but clearly distinguished. The correction message contains all necessary information to replace the original, eliminating confusion about which version is current.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback by notifying the recipient that a correction has been sent and providing information about the changes made. This feedback loop ensures the recipient understands that an updated version exists and should reference the correction message, preventing confusion about message versions.
Data Source
AI summary
Functionality can be implemented in email applications to allow sent messages to be updated, even if the sent messages have been read. When a request to update a sent message is received, a message update unit can update information in the message according to the notification. The message update unit can notify a recipient that the message was updated, and can indicate changed information in the sent message. The message update unit can also determine if the sent message has been forwarded, and forward the update notification to other recipients.