Mobile Device Email Filtering via Local Rule Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing push mail services require significant manpower and time for maintenance, incur additional fees, and pose security risks due to the need for a third-party server to screen and convert emails for hand-held devices.
Innovation Solution
A method for a hand-held mobile communications device to access a remote information server through the Internet, acquiring partial content at predetermined times, filtering it according to user-defined rules, and downloading only relevant information, thereby eliminating the need for a third-party server and reducing bandwidth and power consumption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If a push mail server is used to screen and convert emails for hand-held devices, then email delivery automation is improved, but service cost and maintenance complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hand-held device performs email screening and filtering operations itself using locally stored filtering rules, eliminating the need for a third-party push mail server to perform these functions. The device autonomously determines which emails to download and display based on its own processing capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of having the server filter and convert emails before delivery (traditional push mail approach), the invention inverts the process by having the device filter emails from the downloaded content using local rules, thereby transferring the processing burden from server to device.
2Ease of operation
If a third-party push mail server is used to filter and convert emails, then email reception convenience is improved, but security risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The hand-held device independently performs email filtering and selection using locally stored rules, eliminating the need to trust or rely on third-party servers for content screening. The device maintains full control over which emails are displayed and how they are processed.
Solution Approach 2:
The filtering and screening functions are extracted from the third-party server and implemented directly in the hand-held device, removing the security vulnerability associated with third-party access to email content while preserving the convenience of automated email management.
3Loss of information
If all email content is downloaded from the server, then information completeness is improved, but network bandwidth consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The device downloads only the essential parts of email content (such as subject lines or headers) first, performs preliminary filtering using local rules, and then downloads only the full content of emails that match the filtering criteria. This staged approach prevents unnecessary bandwidth consumption while ensuring complete information is available for relevant emails.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts and downloads only the necessary portions of email content based on pre-established filtering rules, rather than downloading entire emails. This selective extraction minimizes network bandwidth usage while maintaining information completeness for emails that meet the user's criteria.
4Extent of automation
If a push mail server is deployed, then automated email delivery is achieved, but additional service fees are incurred
Solution Approach 1:
The hand-held device autonomously performs email filtering, selection, and management using locally stored rules without requiring any third-party push mail server infrastructure. This self-service approach eliminates recurring service fees while maintaining automated email delivery functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention removes the intermediary push mail server from the email delivery chain, allowing direct communication between the email server and the hand-held device. The device uses local filtering rules as the mediator to determine which emails to receive, eliminating the need for paid third-party services.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for acquiring information is implemented in a hand-held mobile communications device to access information in a remote information server through the Internet. The method includes enabling the communications device to acquire partial content of information from the information server at predetermined times, to filter the acquired partial content according to a filtering rule, download information that complies with the filtering rule according to the filtering result, and to display the information complying with the filtering rule or a notification message relating to the information complying with the filtering rule according to a user setting. The method and device permit user convenience and ensure information confidentiality, without incurring extra fees.