SORTING ELECTRONIC MESSAGES USING ATTRIBUTES OF THE SENDER ADDRESS
First Claim
1. In a system that includes an electronic messaging server that provides electronic messaging services to one or more users, a method for sorting electronic messages for a user, the method comprising:
- assigning at least one attribute to each sender address;
storing the at least one attribute of each sender address in a first list, wherein the first list includesa) a first sender address having a first attribute explicitly set by the user as an authorized sender address,b) a second sender address having a second attribute implied as an authorized sender address when the user performs an action using the second sender address, andc) a third sender address having a third attribute established as one of an authorized sender address, unconfirmed sender address, or unauthorized sender address based on a response by a sender associated with the third sender address and without direct input from the user;
receiving a particular electronic message from a particular sender address at the server;
accessing the first list;
determining from the first list whether the particular sender address matches the first sender address, and, if so, sorting the particular electronic message into a high priority inbox folder;
determining from the first list whether the particular sender address matches the second sender address, and, if so, sorting the particular electronic message into an inbox folder having less priority than the high priority inbox folder;
determining from the first list whether the particular sender address matches the third sender address, and, if so,if the third sender address is an authorized sender address, sorting the particular electronic message into the inbox folder having less priority than the high priority inbox folder;
if the third sender address is an unconfirmed sender address, sorting the particular electronic message into a temporary folder; and
if the third sender address is an unauthorized sender address, sorting the particular electronic message into an unauthorized folder; and
if the particular sender address does not match the first sender address, second sender address, or third sender address, sorting the particular electronic message into the temporary folder.
14 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods for sorting electronic messages using attributes of senders or of sender addresses. An electronic messaging server sorts electronic messages using attributes associated with the senders or sender addresses of the electronic messages. The sender addresses and associated attributes are stored in an accept list. A sorting module uses the accept list to sort the electronic messages into various folders. The sorting module can also access other data sources, such as a contact list, to assist in sorting the electronic messages. The attributes can be determined independently of the user or can be set directly by the user. The attributes can also identify a status of a sender such as whether the sender is authorized, unauthorized, or unconfirmed.
110 Citations
17 Claims
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1. In a system that includes an electronic messaging server that provides electronic messaging services to one or more users, a method for sorting electronic messages for a user, the method comprising:
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assigning at least one attribute to each sender address; storing the at least one attribute of each sender address in a first list, wherein the first list includes a) a first sender address having a first attribute explicitly set by the user as an authorized sender address, b) a second sender address having a second attribute implied as an authorized sender address when the user performs an action using the second sender address, and c) a third sender address having a third attribute established as one of an authorized sender address, unconfirmed sender address, or unauthorized sender address based on a response by a sender associated with the third sender address and without direct input from the user; receiving a particular electronic message from a particular sender address at the server; accessing the first list; determining from the first list whether the particular sender address matches the first sender address, and, if so, sorting the particular electronic message into a high priority inbox folder; determining from the first list whether the particular sender address matches the second sender address, and, if so, sorting the particular electronic message into an inbox folder having less priority than the high priority inbox folder; determining from the first list whether the particular sender address matches the third sender address, and, if so, if the third sender address is an authorized sender address, sorting the particular electronic message into the inbox folder having less priority than the high priority inbox folder; if the third sender address is an unconfirmed sender address, sorting the particular electronic message into a temporary folder; and if the third sender address is an unauthorized sender address, sorting the particular electronic message into an unauthorized folder; and if the particular sender address does not match the first sender address, second sender address, or third sender address, sorting the particular electronic message into the temporary folder. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. In a system that includes an electronic messaging server that provides electronic messaging services to one or more users, a method for sorting electronic messages for a user, the method comprising:
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assigning a first attribute to each sender address to indicate whether each sender address is an authorized sender address or an unauthorized sender address; when the first attribute of a particular sender address is an authorized sender address, assigning a second attribute to indicate a one or more workgroup attributes, wherein the workgroup attributes defines how to direct an electronic message associated with a particular workgroup; storing the first attribute and the second attribute for one or more sender addresses in a first list; receiving a particular electronic message from a particular sender address at the server; accessing the first list; determining from the first attribute in the first list whether the particular sender address is an authorized sender address or an unauthorized sender address; when the particular sender address is an authorized sender address, determining from the first list whether the particular sender address has a second attribute that identifies a particular workgroup attribute; and when the particular sender address has a particular workgroup attribute, directing the particular electronic message to a folder corresponding to the particular workgroup attribute. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. In a system that includes an electronic messaging server that provides electronic messaging services to one or more users, a method for sorting electronic messages for a user, the method comprising:
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assigning a first attribute to each sender address to indicate whether each sender address is an authorized sender address or an unauthorized sender address; when the first attribute of a particular sender address is an authorized sender address, assigning a second attribute to defines how to direct an electronic message associated with a sender; storing the first attribute and the second attribute for one or more sender addresses in a first list; receiving a particular electronic message from a particular sender address at the server; accessing the first list; determining from the first attribute in the first list whether the particular sender address is an authorized sender address or an unauthorized sender address; when the particular sender address is an authorized sender address, determining from the first list whether the particular sender address has a second attribute; and directing the particular electronic message to a folder corresponding to the second attribute. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17)
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Specification