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:
- for each sender that sends electronic messages to a user, assigning attributes to a sender address of each sender such that each sender address is associated with one or more attributes, wherein the sender addresses and the one or more attributes are stored in a first list, and wherein assigning the one or more attributes to the sender address (1) maintains the sender address in its original form, and (2) does not require the one or more attributes to be user-defined;
receiving an electronic message from a particular sender at the electronic messaging server; and
sorting the electronic message into at least one folder based on the one or more attributes assigned to a particular sender address of the particular sender.
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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.
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Citations
30 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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for each sender that sends electronic messages to a user, assigning attributes to a sender address of each sender such that each sender address is associated with one or more attributes, wherein the sender addresses and the one or more attributes are stored in a first list, and wherein assigning the one or more attributes to the sender address (1) maintains the sender address in its original form, and (2) does not require the one or more attributes to be user-defined; receiving an electronic message from a particular sender at the electronic messaging server; and sorting the electronic message into at least one folder based on the one or more attributes assigned to a particular sender address of the particular sender. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. In a system that includes an electronic messaging server that provides electronic messaging services to one or more users, wherein a method for sorting electronic messages for a user, the method comprising:
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receiving an electronic message from a sender at an electronic messaging server; accessing a first list using a sender address of the sender to identify one or more attributes associated with the sender address of the sender, the sender address being maintained in its original form in the first list wherein the one or more attributes are not required to be user-defined; and sorting the electronic message into one or more folders according to the one or more attributes associated with the sender address. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. In a system that receives electronic messages from multiple senders, wherein the electronic messages are intended for one or more users of the system, a method for sorting electronic messages addressed to a user of the system, the method comprising:
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in a first list that has an entry for each sender address, setting one or more attributes for each sender address, the sender address being maintained in its original form in the first list wherein the one or more attributes are not required to be user-defined; receiving an electronic message from a particular sender that is addressed to a user; entering a sender address of the particular sender into the first list if the sender address is not in the first list and setting an unconfirmed attribute for the sender address of the particular sender; and sorting the electronic message into one or more folders using the one or more attributes associated with the sender address of the particular sender of the electronic message. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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Specification