SCHEDULABLE E-MAIL FILTERS

• US 20080195707A1
• Filed: 02/09/2007
• Published: 08/14/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: Hardy, Michael Thomas, MAY, DARRELL REGINALD
• Granted Patent: US 7,761,523 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 51/212 using filtering or selective blocking

Abstract

An e-mail filter may be associated with a schedule defining a recurrent active time period. As such, some e-mail filters may be active at specific times of day and on specific days of the week and inactive the rest of the time. Before applying any filters, the current time is determined and it is determined which filters are active. The determination of which filters are active is based on the current time being within the active time period.

Claims

1. A method of handling an e-mail message, said method comprising:

receiving an e-mail message;

determining a current time;

selecting a candidate e-mail filter, said candidate e-mail filter defining a condition and an action to be carried out on e-mail messages that meet said condition, said candidate e-mail filter associated with a schedule defining a recurring active time period, said selecting based on said current time occurring within said recurring active time period;

determining whether said e-mail message meets said condition; and

if said e-mail message meets said condition, carrying out said action.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving e-mail filter configuration detail for said e-mail filter, said configuration detail including said action.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving e-mail filter configuration detail for said e-mail filter, said configuration detail including said condition.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving e-mail filter configuration detail for said e-mail filter, said configuration detail including said schedule.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said action involves forwarding said e-mail message to a mobile communication device.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein said action involves suppression of forwarding said e-mail message to a mobile communication device.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein said action involves displaying a reference to said e-mail message on a mobile communication device.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein said action involves suppression of displaying a reference to said e-mail message on a mobile communication device.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein said action involves amending said e-mail message to change a priority indication.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising determining which e-mail filters, among a plurality of e-mail filters, are active e-mail filters, where said determining which e-mail filters are active e-mail filters is based on said current time occurring within an active time period associated with each of said active e-mail filters.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein said candidate e-mail filter is selected, by said selecting, from among said active e-mail filters.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein said candidate e-mail filter is associated with a priority.

13. An apparatus comprising a processor adapted to:

receive an e-mail message;

determine a current time;

select a candidate e-mail filter, said candidate e-mail filter defining a condition and an action to be carried out on e-mail messages that meet said condition, said candidate e-mail filter associated with a schedule defining a recurring active time period, said selecting based on said current time occurring within said recurring active time period;

determine that said e-mail message meets said condition; and

carry out said action.

14. A computer readable medium containing computer-executable instructions that, when performed by a processor, cause said processor to:

receive an e-mail message;

determine a current time;

select a candidate e-mail filter, said candidate e-mail filter defining a condition and an action to be carried out on e-mail messages that meet said condition, said candidate e-mail filter associated with a schedule defining a recurring active time period, said selecting based on said current time occurring within said recurring active time period;

determine whether said e-mail message meets said condition; and

carry out said action.