SCHEDULABLE E-MAIL FILTERS

• US 20120209927A1
• Filed: 04/19/2012
• Published: 08/16/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/09/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: May, Darrell Reginald, Hardy, Michael Thomas
• Granted Patent: US 8,402,104 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, the method comprising:

receiving an e-mail message;

determining a current time;

determining which e-mail filters, among a plurality of e-mail filters, are active e-mail filters, where the determining which e-mail filters are active e-mail filters is based on the current time occurring within a recurring active time period associated with each of the active e-mail filters;

selecting, from among the active e-mail filters, a candidate e-mail filter, the candidate e-mail filter defining a condition and an action to be carried out on e-mail messages that meet the condition;

determining that the e-mail message meets the condition; and

responsive to the determining that the e-mail message meets the condition, carrying out the action.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

11. An apparatus comprising a processor adapted to:

receive an e-mail message;

determine a current time;

determine which e-mail filters, among a plurality of e-mail filters, are active e-mail filters, where the determining which e-mail filters are active e-mail filters is based on the current time occurring within a recurring active time period associated with each of the active e-mail filters;

select, from among the active e-mail filters, a candidate e-mail filter, the candidate e-mail filter defining a condition and an action to be carried out on e-mail messages that meet the condition;

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

carry out the action.

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

receive an e-mail message;

determine a current time;

determine which e-mail filters, among a plurality of e-mail filters, are active e-mail filters, where the determining which e-mail filters are active e-mail filters is based on the current time occurring within a recurring active time period associated with each of the active e-mail filters;

select, from among the active e-mail filters, a candidate e-mail filter, the candidate e-mail filter defining a condition and an action to be carried out on e-mail messages that meet the condition;

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

carry out the action.