Mobile Email Attachment Handling via Corresponding File Metadata
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for handling e-mail attachments on mobile terminals are either platform-dependent, require special software or devices, and limit operations such as printing and faxing, making them user-unfriendly and operationally complex.
Innovation Solution
A method that uses a standard mail agent on mobile terminals without integration requirements, allowing e-mail attachments to be handled and displayed independently of file format by storing the original file on a different data processing device, generating a corresponding file with information about the storage location, and transmitting it to the mobile terminal for processing, enabling operations like printing and faxing without the need for file-specific applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If e-mail attachments are downloaded in their original form using standard mail agents, then the attachments can be viewed using applications installed on the mobile terminal, but the attachments must always be transmitted in their entirety and cannot be processed independently
Solution Approach 1:
The attachment handling is segmented into two parts: a minimal metadata structure (corresponding file) is transmitted to the mobile terminal, while the actual file content remains on the data processing device. This segmentation allows the mobile terminal to handle attachment operations without receiving the complete file data.
Solution Approach 2:
A corresponding file acts as an intermediary between the original attachment and the mobile terminal. This intermediary contains metadata about the original file (storage location, format information) and enables the mobile terminal to interact with the attachment through the data processing device without directly receiving or storing the original file.
2Adaptability or versatility
If special software or devices are used to handle e-mail attachments, then comprehensive operations like printing and faxing become possible, but special devices must be used or software different from standard mail agents must be employed
Solution Approach 1:
The corresponding file format and application interface are designed to be universal, working with standard mail agents while enabling comprehensive operations. The system provides multi-functional capability (viewing, printing, faxing) through a unified interface that integrates with existing standard mail software, eliminating the need for separate special-purpose software.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service functionality where the mobile terminal application, working with corresponding files, can independently perform operations like printing and faxing by communicating with the data processing device, without requiring users to install or configure special software or use dedicated devices.
3Adaptability or versatility
If applications are installed on the mobile terminal for each file format, then files can be displayed and processed, but the terminal requires multiple applications for different formats
Solution Approach 1:
The corresponding file format serves as a universal interface that works with standard mail agents and applications already installed on mobile terminals. Instead of requiring format-specific applications, the system uses a single corresponding file structure that can represent any original file format, allowing existing applications to handle diverse file types through this unified interface.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for handling files with mobile terminals and a corresponding computer program and a corresponding computer-readable storage medium, which can be used in particular for handling e-mail attachments and the like on mobile terminals (PDAs, Smartphone, mobile phone) are described. According to the described method, an original file is stored on a data processing device different from the mobile terminal, and a file corresponding to the original file is generated and transmitted to the mobile terminal. The corresponding file includes information about the storage location of the original file. The original file is handled on the data processing device. An application installed on the mobile terminal processes at least part of the data in the corresponding file according to user input entered on the mobile terminal. First processing device is thereby prompted to execute handling of the original file according to the user input.