Method for managing multiple dynamic e-mail aliases

• US 20020152272A1
• Filed: 04/12/2001
• Published: 10/17/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/12/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Nokia, Inc. (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nokia, Inc. (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Yairi, Rahav
• Application Number:
  US09/834,264
• Publication Number:
  US 20020152272A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/206
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/107 Computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/212 using filtering or selective blocking
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/48 Message addressing, e.g. address format or anonymous messages, aliases

Abstract

A method of managing plural e-mail addresses that allows the user to quickly determine the source of unsolicited e-mail messages is provided. Each user may be provided a main e-mail address and several alias e-mail addresses. The address field of an incoming e-mail message is compared to main and alias addresses included in a database. All e-mail messages addressed to either the main e-mail address or an alias e-mail address are transmitted to a single user in-box. When the source of unsolicited e-mail is determined, the appropriate alias e-mail address can be deleted.

Claims

1. A method of routing electronic mail messages to a user with a server, the method comprising the steps of:

(1) receiving at a mail server an electronic mail message having a destination address;

(2) receiving from a user at the mail server an identification of a main electronic mail address and at least one alias electronic mail address;

(3) comparing the destination address to the main and at least one alias electronic mail addresses; and

(4) transmitting the electronic mail message to an address determined as a result of the comparing step.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein step (4) comprises:

transmitting the electronic mail message to the destination address when the destination address is indicated as a main address; and

transmitting the electronic mail message to a main address when the destination address is indicated as an alias address corresponding to the main address.

3. A method of providing an electronic mail service to users, the method comprising the steps of:

(1) registering a main electronic mail address for a user;

(2) providing at least one alias electronic mail address to the user; and

(3) delivering electronic messages addressed to the main address and electronic mail messages addressed to the at least one alias address to a single electronic mail inbox.

4. The method of claim 3, further including the step of:

(4) allowing the user to manage the at least one alias electronic mail address.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the allowing steps comprises allowing the user to delete alias electronic mail addresses.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the allowing steps comprises allowing the user to add alias electronic mail addresses.

7. The method of claim 3, further including the step of providing a record of electronic messages sent by and received by the at least one alias electronic mail address.

8. The method of claim 7, further including the step of displaying electronic messages received by the at least one alias electronic mail address.

9. The method of claim 3, further including the step of providing the main electronic mail address to the user.

10. An electronic mail server configured to perform the steps of:

(1) receiving an electronic mail message having a destination address;

(2) comparing the destination address to addresses included in a database of main and alias electronic mail addresses; and

(3) transmitting the electronic mail message to an address determined as a result of the comparing step.

11. The mail server of claim 10, wherein step (3) comprises:

transmitting the electronic mail message to the destination address when the destination address is indicated as a main address in the database; and

transmitting the electronic mail message to a main address when the destination address is indicated as an alias address corresponding to the main address in the database.

12. A computer-readable medium having computer-executable instructions for performing the steps of:

comparing a destination address of an electronic mail message to addresses included in a database of main and alias electronic mail addresses; and

readdressing the electronic mail message to a main address when the destination address is indicated as an alias address corresponding to the main address.

13. An electronic mail system comprising:

an electronic mail server configured to perform the steps of;

(1) receiving an electronic mail message having a destination address;

(2) comparing the destination address to addresses included in a database of main and alias electronic mail addresses; and

(3) transmitting the electronic mail message to an address determined as a result of the comparing step; and

a computer coupled to the electronic mail server and including computer executable instructions that allow a user to send electronic mail messages from more than one electronic mail address with a single user interface.