System and method for rule-based processing of electronic mail messages
First Claim
1. A method for rule-based processing of electronic mail messages, said method comprising:
- (a) identifying a mail type specifier associated with an electronic mail message intended for delivery to a recipient;
(b) referencing a data store associated with said recipient, said data store storing data specific to said recipient; and
(c) processing said electronic mail message as a function of said mail type specifier and data retrieved from said data store.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method for negotiating an electronic mail transaction. An electronic mail message'"'"'s mail type specifier is identified. A data store stores data specific to the intended recipient. The data store is referenced and the electronic mail message is processed as a function of the mail type specifier and data retrieved from the data store. The mail may be processed at the recipient'"'"'s mail client device and the information maintained confidential. The processing may be based upon reference to a rule applicable to that particular message. The rule includes a conditional instruction conditioned upon a result of a logic or other function of recipient profile data. Alternatively, the processing may provide for modification of the content of the message as a function of such recipient profile data. Recipient preferences from multiple recipients may be aggregated and propagated to senders and/or intermediaries to allow for pre-transmission processing of electronic mail messages.
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Citations
49 Claims
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1. A method for rule-based processing of electronic mail messages, said method comprising:
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(a) identifying a mail type specifier associated with an electronic mail message intended for delivery to a recipient;
(b) referencing a data store associated with said recipient, said data store storing data specific to said recipient; and
(c) processing said electronic mail message as a function of said mail type specifier and data retrieved from said data store. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49)
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18. A method for recipient targeting of electronic mail, said method comprising:
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(a) receiving aggregate recipient preference data reflecting each of a plurality of recipients'"'"' preferences relating to mail messages having certain characteristics;
(b) identifying a mail type specifier of an electronic mail message intended for delivery to a recipient;
(c) referencing said aggregate recipient preference data to identify preference data specific to said recipient;
(d) processing said electronic mail message in accordance with said preference data specific to said recipient.
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23. A method for rule-based processing of electronic mail messages, said method comprising:
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(a) identifying a rule associated with an electronic mail message intended for delivery to a recipient;
(b) processing said electronic mail message as a function of said mail type specifier and data retrieved from said data store.
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33. A method for rule-based processing of electronic mail messages, said method comprising:
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(a) identifying a rule associated with an electronic mail message intended for delivery to a recipient, said rule specifying logic for processing said electronic mail message;
(b) receiving said electronic mail message; and
(c) processing said electronic mail message as a function of said rule. - View Dependent Claims (34, 36, 37, 39, 40)
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35. A method for rule-based processing of web browser requests, said method comprising:
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(a) identifying a rule associated with web browser requests, said rule specifying logic for processing said web browser requests;
(b) identifying a web browser request; and
(c) processing said web browser request as a function of said rule.
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38. An electronic mail system for negotiation an electronic mail transaction, said electronic mail system comprising:
a trusted authority computer comprising;
a central processing unit;
a memory operatively connected to said central processing unit;
a telecommunications device operatively connected to said central processing unit and capable of communicating via a communications network;
a first program stored in said memory and executable by said central processing unit for identifying a mail type specifier associated with an electronic mail message intended for delivery to a recipient;
a second program stored in said memory and executable by said central processing unit for referencing a data store associated with said recipient, said data store storing data specific to said recipient; and
a third program stored in said memory and executable by said central processing unit for processing said electronic mail message as a function of said mail type specifier and data retrieved from said data store.
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41. A method for distributing electronic mail comprising the steps of:
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(a) storing acceptance criteria for delivery of electronic mail to a recipient'"'"'s electronic mailbox;
(b) identifying delivery criteria for delivering electronic mail sent by a sender;
(c) receiving an electronic mail message sent by said sender and intended for possible delivery to said user;
(d) comparing said acceptance criteria to said delivery criteria; and
(e) processing said message to deliver said message to said mailbox only if said acceptance criteria is compatible with said delivery criteria. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43)
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Specification