Method and system for automatically updating electronic mail address information within an electronic mail address database

• US 6,694,353 B2
• Filed: 03/28/2001
• Issued: 02/17/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: MyLifecom Incorporated (MyLife.com)
• Original Assignee: GoodContacts.com
• Inventors: Sommerer, Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): Wiley; David
• Assistant Examiner(s): Avellino; Joseph E.
• Application Number:
  US09/818,517
• Publication Number:
  US 20020143879A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,056 Days
• Field of Search: 709/204-207 707/8,10
• US Class Current: 709/206
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/107 Computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/23 Reliability checks, e.g. acknowledgments or fault reporting

Abstract

A method is proposed for automatically updating and maintaining email contact information for various contacts stored in a contact database within or outside of an email application without requiring an individual to manually verify and update email addresses. The method flags an invalid email address of a destination individual when an error message is received indicative of mail delivery failure. Another available email address of the destination individual is then automatically designated as their primary address.

Claims

1. A method for updating an electronic contact information database comprising the steps of:

a) sending from a first computer in execution of a first electronic mail application at least an electronic mail message to a contact destination of at least one contact from a plurality of contacts stored within an electronic contact information database of a user, the electronic contact information database associated with the first electronic mail application executed by the first computer; and

b) upon receiving at the first computer in execution of a first electronic mail application a return message indicative of electronic mail message delivery failure, automatically flagging at the first computer in execution of a first electronic mail application the contact destination as potentially expired within the contact information database associated with the first electronic mail application executed by the first computer.

2. A method for updating an electronic contact information database as defined in claim 1 wherein the electronic mail application prevents sending of messages to contact destinations flagged as potentially expired.

3. A method for updating an electronic contact information database as defined in claim 1 comprising the steps of:

transmitting further messages by the electronic mail application to the contact destination transparent to a user of the application for a period of time; and

,

when an error message is received for each transmitted further message flagging the contact destination as expired.

4. A method for updating an electronic contact information database as defined in claim 3 wherein the electronic mail application prevents sending of messages to contact destinations flagged as potentially expired.

5. A method for updating an electronic contact information database as defined in claim 1 comprising the steps of:

automatically selecting another contact destination for a same contact within the contact information database as a primary contact destination for the same contact.

6. A method for updating an electronic contact information database as defined in claim 1 comprising the steps of:

when an electronic message is to be sent to a contact destination flagged as potentially expired, automatically sending the message to another contact destination for the same contact.

7. A method for updating an electronic contact information database as defined in claim 1 comprising the steps of:

when an electronic message is to be sent to a contact destination flagged as potentially expired, prompting a user of the electronic mail application to send the message to another contact destination for the same contact.

8. A method for updating an electronic contact information database comprising the steps of:

a) sending at least an electronic mail message to a contact destination of at least one contact from a plurality of contacts stored within the electronic contact information database of a user;

b) upon receiving a return message indicative of electronic mail message delivery failure, automatically flagging the contact destination as potentially expired within the contact information database; and

c) the electronic mail application preventing sending of messages to potentially expired contact destinations.

9. A method for updating an electronic contact information database comprising the steps of:

a) sending at least an electronic mail message to a contact destination of at least one contact from a plurality of contacts stored within the electronic contact information database of a user;

b) upon receiving a return message indicative of electronic mail message delivery failure, automatically flagging the contact destination as potentially expired within the contact information database;

c) transmitting further messages by the electronic mail application to the contact destination transparent to a user of the application for a period of time; and

d) when an error message is received for each transmitted further message flagging the contact destination as expired.