Source Initiated Autonomic Recipient E-Mail Address Correction Redistribution

• US 20080040432A1
• Filed: 08/09/2006
• Published: 02/14/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/09/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Snap, Inc.
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Murphy, Thomas E., Pflug, Francis A.
• Granted Patent: US 8,495,146 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]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/23 Reliability checks, e.g. acknowledgments or fault reporting
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/48 Message addressing, e.g. address format or anonymous messages, aliases

Abstract

A computer system and associated method is disclosed for distributing electronic communication. The electronic communication is originated from a first originating destination and is to be sent to a distribution of recipient(s). The distribution can simply consist of one or a plurality of intended recipients. When delivery information is verified, any errors leading to delivery failure of the communication is corrected to be used in subsequent response communication originated by one or more of these recipients.

Claims

1. A method of distributing electronic communication comprising:

sending an electronic communication from a first originating destination to a distribution of recipient(s);

verifying delivery information and correcting any errors leading to delivery failure of said communication;

distributing corrected information to said distributed recipient(s) such that said corrected information can be used in subsequent response communication originated by one or more of said recipients.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said distribution include only one recipient.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said information include addressing information.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein any erroneous information is corrected and distributed automatically upon error detection.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein any erroneous information is corrected and distributed only if originator of said communication has selected distribution of corrected information to said distribution of recipients.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein said originator has selected correction of errors to distribution recipients through a customized option triggered upon either origination of said communication or upon receipt of a potential delivery failure.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said customized option is a resend with propagation option.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein any erroneous information is automatically corrected and distributed only if recipient of said communication has previously selected distribution of corrected information.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein said recipient has selected correction of information errors through a customized option triggered after an acknowledgement is received informing said recipient of existence of such erroneous information.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein information correction for said recipients is only distributed after an onset of subsequent response communication by one or more of said recipients.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said information correction is only provided to originator of said subsequent response.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein a globally unique message identifier is used to link said original communication to subsequent response communications that may need to use corrected information about said distribution recipient(s).

13. The method of claim 1, wherein each electronic communication includes an envelop having one or more header field as well as content which includes to be communicated message.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said header fields come in different varieties and together hold information regarding delivery and transmission of said communication.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said header fields include a resent header field.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of:

upon detecting potential delivery problem(s) and correction of said erroneous information leading to such problem, prepending said original communication with information provided in resent header field(s) such that said information causes a reference to said original communication so as to identify said original communication being updated.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein a new header line is added carrying information relating to said erroneous information as well as said associated and corrected replacement information;

and said reference to said original communication is made through the use of a globally unique identification field.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein a reply option is used and said information correction is not triggered automatically.

19. A method of distributing electronic mail, comprising:

sending electronic mail originated at a first location to a distribution of recipient(s);

generating a variety header fields, including one or more resent header fields, said header fields including information needed for transmission and delivery of said mail;

verifying transmission and delivery information and identifying erroneous information leading to potential delivery failures;

correcting said erroneous information and prepending said original mail with resent header fields such that it would cause a reference to said original mail via a message identification field;

said resent header indicating that said original mail is being updated;

generating a new header line in one or more of said header fields as to provide both information relating to said error and information about said associated corrected replacement;

delivering said mail and any corrected information to all distributed recipient(s) such that said corrected information can be used in subsequent response communication originated by one or more of said recipients.

20. A computer system comprising:

a plurality of nodes in processing communication with one another;

each of said nodes being able to generate and originate electronic communication destined for a distribution of recipient nodes;

each generated electronic communication having a variety of header fields providing information needed for delivery and transmission;

means for correcting said header fields when erroneous information is provided in said header fields that can lead to delivery failure; and

means for redistributing said corrected information to said distribution of recipient nodes.