Message Organization and Spam Filtering Based on User Interaction

• US 20070156886A1
• Filed: 12/29/2005
• Published: 07/05/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Srivastava, Kumar
• Granted Patent: US 8,725,811 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/224
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/109 Time management, e.g. calendars, reminders, meetings or time accounting
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/08 Annexed information, e.g. attachments
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/212 using filtering or selective blocking

Abstract

Embodiments of message organization and spam filtering based on user interaction are presented herein. In an implementation, user interaction with a plurality of messages in a user interface is monitored, which includes analyzing an amount of time spent by a user in interacting with each message. Subsequent messages may then be filtered based on the monitored user interaction. In another implementation, messages are processed that are received via a network using a spam filter that was generated based on monitored interaction of a user with previous messages. The processing results in a value describing a relative likelihood of importance of each of the processed message to the user. The processed messages are then arranged for display in an order, one to another, in a user interface based on respective values.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

monitoring user interaction with a plurality of messages in a user interface, wherein monitoring includes analyzing an amount of time spent by a user in interacting with each said message; and

filtering subsequent messages based on the monitored user interaction.

2. A method as described in claim 1, wherein the monitoring includes monitoring which said folder is specified by the user for storing one or more said messages.

3. A method as described in claim 1, wherein the monitoring includes monitoring whether network routing is specified by the user to communicate one or more said messages.

4. A method as described in claim 3, wherein the network routing includes forwarding a respective said message or replying to a respective said message.

5. A method as described in claim 1, wherein the monitoring includes monitoring whether a follow-up indication is specified by the user for a respective said message.

6. A method as described in claim 5, wherein the follow-up indication is a flag that is selectable to cause a respective said message to be accessible via a particular said folder in the user interface.

7. A method as described in claim 1, wherein the monitoring includes monitoring at least one rule specified by the user for processing messages.

8. A method as described in claim 7, wherein the rule specifies criteria and an action to be performed on a respective said message that has the criteria.

9. A method as described in claim 1, wherein the filtering includes:

processing the subsequent messages to obtain a value describing a relative likelihood of importance of each said processed message to the user; and

organizing the processed subsequent messages for display in the user interface based on respective said values.

10. A method as described in claim 9, wherein the organizing includes storing the processed subsequent messages in particular folders in the user interface.

11. A method as described in claim 9, wherein the organizing includes arranging the processed messages for display in an order, one to another, in the user interface based on respective said values.

12. A method comprising:

processing messages received via a network using a spam filter that was generated based on monitored interaction of a user with previous said messages, wherein the processing results in a value describing a relative likelihood of importance of each said processed message to the user; and

arranging the processed messages for display in an order, one to another, in a user interface based on respective said values.

13. A method as described in claim 12, wherein the processing is also performed by another said spam filter that employs a reputation of a sender derived from another client.

14. A method as described in claim 12, wherein the relative degree of importance indicates a scale bounded by a likelihood that a respective said message is considered important to a user and a likelihood that the respective said message is considered spam to the user.

15. A method as described in claim 12, wherein the interaction of the user with the previous said messages that was monitored includes:

an amount of time spent by each said email in one or more folders in the user interface;

which said folder in the user interface is specified by the user for storing a respective said message;

whether network routing is specified by the user to communicate a respective said message;

whether a follow-up indication is specified by the user for a respective said message; and

at least one rule specified by the user for processing messages, wherein the rule specifics criteria and at least one action to be performed on a corresponding said message having the criteria.

16. A method as described in claim 12, further comprising displaying the arranged processed messages in the order in an inbox in the user interface.

17. One or more computer-readable media comprising computer executable instructions that, when executed, direct a computer to monitor user interaction with a plurality of email in a user interface, wherein the monitored interaction includes analyzing an amount of time spent by each said email in one or more folders in the user interface.

18. One or more computer-readable media as described in claim 17, wherein the monitored user interaction further includes:

which said folder is specified by the user for storing a respective said message;

whether network routing is specified by the user to communicate a respective said message;

whether a follow-up indication is specified by the user for a respective said message; and

at least one rule specified by the user for processing messages, wherein the rule specifies criteria and an action to be performed on a respective said message having the criteria.

19. One or more computer-readable media as described in claim 17, wherein at least one said folder is configured as an inbox and another said folder is configured to store messages for deletion.

20. One or more computer-readable media as described in claim 17, wherein the computer-executable instructions further configure the computer to process subsequent email based on the monitored user interaction and organize the processed email for display in a user interface.