Methods and apparatus for controlling the transmission and receipt of email messages

• US 20080256072A1
• Filed: 05/23/2008
• Published: 10/16/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/01/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Truemail Technologies, LLC
• Original Assignee: James D. Logan
• Inventors: Logan, James D., Call, Charles G.
• Granted Patent: US 8,560,655 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 707/7
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/382 insuring higher security of transaction
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/212 using filtering or selective blocking
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0428 wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0442 wherein the sending and receiving network entities apply asymmetric encryption, i.e. different keys for encryption and decryption cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for public-key encryption H04L9/30
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0823 using certificates cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication involving certificates H04L9/3263
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/12 Applying verification of the received information cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for data integrity or data verification H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/123 received data contents, e.g. message integrity
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/14 for detecting or protecting against malicious traffic
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/3247 involving digital signatures
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/3263 involving certificates, e.g. public key certificate [PKC] or attribute certificate [AC]; Public key infrastructure [PKI] arrangements network architectures or network communication protocols for supporting authentication of entities using certificates in a packet data network H04L63/0823

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 well as the identity of the sender

Claims

1. The method for identifying unwanted email messages comprising transmitting metadata to an email receiving location indicating the total number of email messages sent by or on behalf of a specified email sender during a specified time period.

2. The method for identifying unwanted email messages as set forth in claim 1 further including the step, performed at said email transmitting location, of counting the total number of outgoing email messages sent by or on behalf of a specified email sender during said specified time period to produce a total message count whose value is indicated by said metadata.

3. The method for identifying unwanted email messages as set forth in claim 2 wherein said step of transmitting metadata comprises transmitting said metadata as part of each outgoing message sent by or on behalf of said specified email sender.

4. The method for identifying unwanted email messages as set forth in claim 1 wherein said metadata indicates whether or not said total number of outgoing messages sent by or on behalf of a specified email sender during said specified time period exceeds a predetermined threshold.

5. The method for identifying unwanted email messages as set forth in claim 4 further including the step of notifying said specified email sender when said total number of email outgoing messages sent by or on behalf of said specified email sender during a specified time period exceeds said predetermined threshold.

6. The method for identifying unwanted email messages as set forth in claim 1 wherein said metadata is authenticated by a digital signature.

7. In an email transmission system for transporting email messages from a sender to a receiver, apparatus for identifying unwanted email messages comprising, in combination:

a message processor for counting the total number of outgoing email messages transmitted by said sender during a specified time period, and

a metadata generator for transmitting to said receiver an indication of said total number of outgoing email messages transmitted by said sender during said specified time period.

8. In an email transmission system for transporting email messages from a sender to a receiver, apparatus for identifying unwanted email messages as set forth in claim 7 wherein said message processor employs an application program that executes on a computer operated by said sender, said application program including a text editor for composing at least some of said outgoing email messages which are counted by said message processor.

9. In an email transmission system for transporting email messages from a sender to a receiver, apparatus for identifying unwanted email messages as set forth in claim 8 wherein said message processor operates as an integral part of said application program.

10. In an email transmission system for transporting email messages from a sender to a receiver, apparatus for identifying unwanted email messages as set forth in claim 8 wherein said message processor operates as a separate program that processes outgoing email messages generated by said application program.

11. In an email transmission system for transporting email messages from a sender to a receiver, apparatus for identifying unwanted email messages as set forth in claim 8 wherein said metadata generator adds metadata containing said indication to each outgoing email message transmitted by said sender.

12. In an email transmission system for transporting email messages from a sender to a receiver, apparatus for identifying unwanted email messages as set forth in claim 7 wherein said message processor notifies said sender when said total number of outgoing messages transmitted by sender during said specified time period exceeds a predetermined threshold.

13. In an email transmission system for transporting email messages from a sender to a receiver, apparatus for identifying unwanted email messages as set forth in claim 12 wherein said metadata generator adds metadata containing said indication to each outgoing email message transmitted by said sender.

14. In an email transmission system for transporting email messages from a sender to a receiver, apparatus for identifying unwanted email messages as set forth in claim 7 wherein said indication transmitted to said receiver indicates whether or not said total number of outgoing messages transmitted by said sender within a specified time period exceeds a predetermined threshold.

15. In an email transmission system for transporting email messages from a sender to a receiver, apparatus for identifying unwanted email messages as set forth in claim 14 wherein said metadata generator adds metadata containing said indication to each outgoing email message transmitted by said sender.

16. In an email transmission system for transporting email messages from a sender to a receiver, apparatus for identifying unwanted email messages as set forth in claim 7 wherein said indication is authenticated by a digital signature transmitted from said sender to said receiver.

17. The method for identifying unwanted email messages comprising receiving metadata at an email receiving location indicating the total number of email messages sent by or on behalf of a specified email sender during a specified time period.

18. The method for identifying unwanted email messages as set forth in claim 17 further including the step, performed at said receiving location, of employing said metadata to filter, sort, categorize or identify email messages.

19. The method for identifying unwanted email messages as set forth in claim 17 further comprising the step performed at send receiving location of categorizing received email messages based on said metadata.

20. The method for identifying unwanted email messages as set forth in claim 17 wherein the identity of said sender and said metadata may be authenticated by a digital signature transmitted to said receiving location.