Message processing using deactivation condition and after scheduled end time

• US 10,027,608 B2
• Filed: 01/12/2016
• Issued: 07/17/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Alfarano, Luca, Allampally, Srinivas, Bhagat, Gaurav, Boland, Conor T.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wang, Liangche A
• Assistant Examiner(s): HUANG, KAYLEE J
• Application Number:
  US14/993,794
• Publication Number:
  US 20160127279A1
• Time in Patent Office: 917 Days
• Field of Search: 709201-206
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/02 using automatic reactions or user delegation, e.g. automatic replies or chatbot-generated messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/42 Mailbox-related aspects, e.g. synchronisation of mailboxes
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles

Abstract

Message processing includes activating an out-of-office function for a messaging account, wherein the out-of-office function has a scheduled end time. A determination is made, using a processor, that a current time is after the scheduled end time and that a deactivation condition for the out-of-office function has not occurred. Responsive to the determination, an out-of-office action is performed using the processor.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method, comprising:

activating, for a messaging account, an out-of-office function having a scheduled end time and a deactivation condition; and

performing an out-of-office action upon

a current time being at least a predetermined amount of time after the scheduled end time, and

the deactivation condition not having occurred, wherein the messaging account is associated with a first messaging address, and the out-of-office action includes;

selecting a message received while the out-of-office function is active, and

forwarding the selected message to a second messaging address.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein

the deactivation condition includes a user of the messaging account accessing the messaging account.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein

the accessing the messaging account includes the user checking the messaging account for a message.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein

the accessing the messaging account includes the user deactivating the out-of-office function.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein

the forwarding includes correlating the selected message with one of a plurality of forwarding rules, and

each of the forwarding rules specifies a different messaging address.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein

the out-of-office action includes:

identifying a messaging address to which a first automated reply was sent as part of the out-of-office function, and

sending, to the messaging address, a second automated reply different from the first automated reply.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein

the out-of-office action includes forwarding, responsive to a message being sent to the messaging account, the message to an alternative messaging address.