METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING INTELLIGENT ERROR MESSAGING

• US 20110010554A1
• Filed: 09/20/2010
• Published: 01/13/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/22/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: Adams, Neil P., Brown, Michael S., Brown, Michael K., Kirkup, Michael G., Little, Herbert A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,930,591 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 713/175
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 11/0766 Error or fault reporting or storing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/107 Computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/0686 Additional information in the notification, e.g. enhancement of specific meta-data
• 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 63/06 for supporting key management in a packet data network cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for key management H04L9/08
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/08 Key distribution or management, e.g. generation, sharing or updating, of cryptographic keys or passwords network architectures or network communication protocols for supporting key management in a packet data network H04L63/06

Abstract

A method and apparatus for providing intelligent error messaging is disclosed wherein a user of a mobile communications device is provided with descriptive error messaging information to assist the user in overcoming errors associated with the processing of electronic messages and data. For example, when the mobile device is being used to decrypt a cryptographically secured electronic message, and a problem is encountered, program logic of the device provides the user with (1) an indication of exactly what problem is preventing opening of the message, for example, a required cryptographic key is not available; (2) an indication of exactly what may be done to overcome the problem, for example, what utilities should be run on the device; and (3) exactly what data, if any, needs to be downloaded to the device, for example, what cryptographic keys should be downloaded.

Claims

1. An electronic communications device comprising:

a processor capable of processing electronic mail messages received at the electronic communications device; and

program logic resident on a memory of said electronic communications device operable to

determine if an electronic mail message received at the electronic communications device is encrypted,

if the received electronic mail message is encrypted, determine if there is a problem that prevents decrypting of the received electronic mail message at the electronic communications device, and

if there is a problem that prevents the decrypting of the received electronic mail message, displaying an identification of a digital certificate that is not stored on the electronic communications device, the identification comprising at least one serial number and issuer name, the certificate comprising data for decrypting the received electronic mail message.

2. The electronic communications device of claim 1, wherein said program logic is operable to load the digital certificate onto the electronic communications device.

3. The electronic communications device of claim 1, wherein the electronic communications device is connected via an interface to a host processor that is configured to transmit the digital certificate to the electronic communications device.

4. The electronic communications device of claim 3, wherein said interface comprises a wired connection.

5. The electronic communications device of claim 3, wherein said interface comprises a wireless communications interface.

6. The electronic communications device of claim 1, wherein said electronic communications device comprises a mobile communications device.

7. A method of processing electronic messages on an electronic communications device, the method comprising:

processing an electronic mail message received at said electronic communications device, for display on said electronic communications device, wherein said processing comprises;

determining if the received electronic mail message is encrypted;

if the received electronic mail message is encrypted, determining if there is a problem that prevents decrypting of the received electronic mail message at the electronic communications device; and

if there is a problem that prevents the decrypting of the received electronic mail message, displaying an identification of a digital certificate that is not stored on the electronic communications device, the identification comprising at least one serial number and issuer name, the certificate comprising data for decrypting the received electronic mail message.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising loading the digital certificate onto the electronic communications device.

9. The method of claim 7, further comprising receiving the digital certificate from a host processor, wherein the electronic communications device is connected via an interface to the host processor.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said interface comprises a wired connection.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein said interface comprises a wireless communications interface.

12. The method of claim 7, wherein said electronic communications device comprises a mobile communications device.

13. A computer-readable storage medium comprising a plurality of instructions, which when executed by a processor of an electronic communications device, cause the processor to perform a method of processing electronic messages on the electronic communications device, wherein the method comprises:

processing an electronic mail message received at said electronic communications device, for display on said electronic communications device, wherein said processing comprises;

determining if the received electronic mail message is encrypted;

if the received electronic mail message is encrypted, determining if there is a problem that prevents decrypting of the received electronic mail message at the electronic communications device; and

if there is a problem that prevents the decrypting of the received electronic mail message, displaying an identification of a digital certificate that is not stored on the electronic communications device, the identification comprising at least one serial number and issuer name, the certificate comprising data for decrypting the received electronic mail message.

14. The medium of claim 13, wherein the method further comprises loading the digital certificate onto the electronic communications device.

15. The medium of claim 13, wherein the method further comprises receiving the digital certificate from a host processor, wherein the electronic communications device is connected via an interface to the host processor.

16. The medium of claim 15, wherein said interface comprises a wired connection.

17. The medium of claim 13, wherein said interface comprises a wireless communications interface.

18. The medium of claim 17, wherein said electronic communications device comprises a mobile communications device.

19. A system for processing electronic messages on an electronic communications device, the system comprising:

means for processing an electronic mail message received at said electronic communications device, for display on said electronic communications device, wherein said means for processing comprises;

means for determining if the received electronic mail message is encrypted;

means for, if the received electronic mail message is encrypted, determining if there is a problem that prevents decrypting of the received electronic mail message at the electronic communications device; and

means for, if there is a problem that prevents the decrypting of the received electronic mail message, displaying an identification of a digital certificate that is not stored on the electronic communications device, the identification comprising at least one serial number and issuer name, the certificate comprising data for decrypting the received electronic mail message.

20. The system of claim 19, further comprising means for loading the digital certificate onto the electronic communications device.

21. The system of claim 19, further comprising means for receiving the digital certificate from a host processor, wherein the electronic communications device is connected via an interface to the host processor.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein said interface comprises a wired connection.

23. The system of claim 21, wherein said interface comprises a wireless communications interface.

24. The system of claim 19, wherein said electronic communications device comprises a mobile communications device.