Methods and apparatus for controlling the transmission and receipt of email messages
First Claim
1. The method for identifying unwanted email messages comprising, in combination, the steps of:
- at an email transmitting location, transmitting metadata along with a given email message, said metadata containing a unique identification of the sender of said given email message and an indication of the number of different recipients to whom an equivalent of said given email message has been addressed, and at a receiving location, presenting said given email message to its intended recipient in a manner that distinguishes said given email from other email messages based on said metadata.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and apparatus for identifying unwanted email messages by transmitting metadata with an outbound email message that indicates the total number of email messages sent by that sender in a predetermined time period, or alternatively indicates the total number of email messages which are equivalent to the outgoing message that have been sent. In addition the metadata may include an identification of the sender and a “pledge” made by the sender. A pledge may take the form of a binding commitment from the sender that the information contained in the metadata is accurate, and/or that the sender promises to abide by predetermined good conduct rules designed to limit unwanted email. The outgoing message may be further signed by the sender with a digital signature that provides means for verifying the content of the message and the pledge as will as the identity of the sender.
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Citations
8 Claims
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1. The method for identifying unwanted email messages comprising, in combination, the steps of:
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at an email transmitting location, transmitting metadata along with a given email message, said metadata containing a unique identification of the sender of said given email message and an indication of the number of different recipients to whom an equivalent of said given email message has been addressed, and at a receiving location, presenting said given email message to its intended recipient in a manner that distinguishes said given email from other email messages based on said metadata. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. The method for identifying unwanted email messages comprising, in combination, the steps of:
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at an email transmitting location, transmitting metadata along with a given email message, said metadata containing an indication of the number of email messages transmitted by the sender of said given email message within a predetermined time interval, and at a receiving location, presenting said given email message to its intended recipient in a manner that distinguishes said given email from other email messages based on said metadata. - View Dependent Claims (8)
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Specification