Computer implemented system and method for predictive management of electronic messages

• US 20040088359A1
• Filed: 11/04/2002
• Published: 05/06/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 11/04/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Oracle America, Inc. (Oracle Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sun Microsystems Incorporated (Oracle Corporation)
• Inventors: Simpson, Nigel
• Granted Patent: US 7,469,280 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/206
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/107 Computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing]

Abstract

A computer implemented method and system for filtering incoming electronic messages based on user objectives is disclosed. For example, automated assistance can be provided in realizing a user objective of filtering electronic mail (e-mail) messages associated with a “conversation” thread. The electronic message filtering system can receive an e-mail message, examine attributes or characteristics of the e-mail message, determine if a rule has been established for messages with the characteristics of the incoming message, and if there has been a rule set up, automatically implement an action in accordance with the rule. For example, when electronic messages with particular information in the header (e.g., a particular subject) are received, the messages are automatically moved to a designated trash folder. Additionally, finer granularity of message management can be achieved (e.g., an action is automatically implemented to display a message from a particular sender at the top of a list).

Claims

1. An e-mail management process comprising:

receiving an e-mail message;

presenting a user-friendly interface for indicating an e-mail message management objective with respect to said e-mail message;

generating an e-mail message management rule automatically to achieve said e-mail message management objective; and

performing actions associated with said e-mail management rule.

2. An e-mail management process as described in claim 1 wherein said e-mail management objective is the removal of e-mail messages associated with a conversation thread.

3. An e-mail management process as described in claim 1 wherein said generated rule includes software code instructions produced in a proper syntax for causing a computer system to move said e-mail messages to a predetermined folder if said e-mail messages have certain characteristics that are associated with said e-mail message management objective.

4. An e-mail management process as described in claim 1 wherein said e-mail message is deleted if information in a recipient field of said e-mail message does not directly address a user.

5. An e-mail management process as described in claim 1 wherein providing said user friendly interface comprises presenting a graphical user interface that questions if a user wishes to receive other e-mails related to a particular conversation thread.

6. An e-mail management process as described in claim 1 wherein performing actions associated with said e-mail management rule includes examining contents of said e-mail messages to determine if said e-mail messages possess characteristics governed by said e-mail message management rule.

7. An e-mail management process as described in claim 1 wherein said e-mail messages are moved to a designated folder if said e-mail messages possess characteristics governed by said e-mail message management rule.

9. A system as described in claim 7 wherein said rules engine performs an electronic message management action in accordance with said rule.

10. A system as described in claim 9 wherein said first folder is an electronic mail trash folder and wherein said second folder is an electronic mail in-box.

8. A computer implemented electronic message processing system comprising:

a rules engine for automatically generating a rule for governing management of an electronic message destined for a user, including a rule for recognizing if said electronic message is part of a common message thread;

a rules database coupled to said rules engine, said rules database for storing said rule; and

an electronic message application for accessing said electronic message destined for said user, said electronic message application comprises a first folder and a second folder that are utilized to track said electronic message.

11. A computer implemented electronic message processing system of claim 8 wherein said rule defines characteristics of a common message thread and based on said characteristics of said common message thread said rules engine recognizes if said electronic message is part of said common message thread.

12. A system as described in claim 8 wherein a first rule-based action is to place an electronic message in said first folder if said rules engine recognizes said electronic message is part of a common message thread.

13. A system as described in claim 8 wherein a second rule-based action is to place an electronic message in said second folder if said rules engine recognizes said electronic message is not part of a common message thread.

14. A system as described in claim 8 wherein said rule expires after a predetermined period of time.

15. A set of computer instructions encoded on a computer readable media that cause a processor to perform an automated electronic message management process comprising:

receiving an e-mail message;

creating an e-mail management rule; and

performing an action corresponding to said e-mail message.

16. The set of computer instructions of claim 15 wherein said automated electronic message management process further comprises:

determining if an e-mail management rule applies to said e-mail message; and

checking the status of the e-mail management rule.

17. The set of computer instructions of claim 15 wherein said automated electronic message management process further comprises receiving an indication of a user desired action.

18. The set of computer instructions of claim 17 wherein said user desired action is expressed in terms of an objective applicable to a plurality of messages.

19. The set of computer instructions of claim 15 wherein said e-mail management rule is created in accordance with a rule development schema.

20. The set of computer instructions of claim 15 wherein said automated electronic message management process further comprises forwarding said e-mail message management rule to an e-mail message management database.