Indirect disposable email addressing

• US 7,305,445 B2
• Filed: 01/28/2003
• Issued: 12/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Sharma, Vivek, Singh, Tarvinder P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jaroenchonwant; Bunjob
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chankong; Dohm
• Application Number:
  US10/352,451
• Publication Number:
  US 20040148358A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,771 Days
• Field of Search: None
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/48 Message addressing, e.g. address format or anonymous messages, aliases

Abstract

Methods, systems, and computer program products for reducing unsolicited electronic messages by using immutable email identities in place of traditional email addresses. Over any of various protocols, an address generation server receives an electronic message requesting a disposable address for an intended recipient having an immutable email identity. The request also includes a return address for the sender, which discourages unsolicited messages because most senders of unsolicited messages prefer to remain anonymous. After receiving the request, the address generation server creates the disposable electronic message address, which may be limited in use. A challenge must be completed before the address may be discovered or used. This challenge further discourages unsolicited electronic messages because it imposes a burden that many senders of unsolicited messages are unwilling to bear.

Claims

1. In a system for exchanging electronic messages between senders and recipients, a method of reducing unsolicited electronic messages for a recipient by creating one or more disposable electronic messages to avoid the need for sharing one or more permanent electronic message addresses and by requiring the completing of one or more configurable anti-spam challenges before the disposable electronic message may be used, the method comprising acts of:

receiving at an address generation server, an electronic message comprising a request address for identifying an intended recipient and a return electronic message address corresponding to a sender of the received electronic message;

verifying that the intended recipient identified by the request address is known to the address generation server;

formulating a configurable anti-spam challenge configurable to include a variable type or number of challenges such that when answered correctly, gives an increased assurance that the sender is not sending spam;

creating a disposable electronic message address for the intended recipient, wherein the disposable electronic message address is formatted so as to require completion of the configurable anti-spam challenge before the disposable electronic message address may be used; and

sending the disposable electronic message address to the return electronic message address included in the received electronic message so that the sender may use the electronic message address to send one or more electronic messages to the intended recipient;

adding the return electronic message address to an allow list associated with the disposable electronic message address to indicate that electronic messages received from the return electronic message address are authorized to use the disposable electronic message address;

addressing the electronic message to one or more recipients other than the intended recipient; and

adding an electronic address of the one or more other recipients other than the intended recipient to the allow list.

2. For a system that exchanges electronic message between senders and recipients, a computer program product comprising one or more computer readable media carrying computer executable instructions that implement a method of reducing unsolicited electronic messages for a recipient by creating one or more disposable electronic message addresses to avoid the need for sharing one or more permanent electronic message addresses and by requiring the completion of one or more anti-spam challenges before the disposable electronic message address may be used, the method comprising the acts of:

receiving at an address generation server, an electronic message comprising a request address for identifying an intended recipient and a return electronic message address corresponding to a sender of the received electronic message;

verifying that the intended recipient identified by the request address is known to the address generation server;

formulating a configurable anti-spam challenge configurable to include a variable type or number of challenges such that when answered correctly, gives an increased assurance that the sender is not sending spam;

creating a disposable electronic message address for the intended recipient, wherein the disposable electronic message address is formatted so as to require completion of the configurable anti-spam challenge before the disposable electronic message address may be used; and

sending the disposable electronic message address to the return electronic message address included in the received electronic message so that the sender may use the electronic message address to send one or more electronic messages to the intended recipient;

adding the return electronic message address to an allow list associated with the disposable electronic message address to indicate that electronic messages received from the return electronic message address are authorized to use the disposable electronic message address;

addressing the electronic message to one or more recipients other than the intended recipient; and

adding an electronic address of the one or more other recipients other than the intended recipient to the allow list.

3. In a client system that connects to an electronic messaging system for exchanging electronic messages between senders and recipients, a method of sending an electronic message to a recipient without knowing the recipient'"'"'s one or more actual electronic message addresses, thereby allowing the recipient to reduce unsolicited electronic messages sent to the recipient, the method comprising acts of:

sending an initial electronic message to an address generation server, the initial electronic message comprising an address identifying the intended recipient, a return address for a sender of the electronic message, and an electronic address of one or more other recipients other than the intended recipient;

receiving a response from the address generation server that includes a disposable electronic message address for the intended recipient and a configurable anti-spam challenge to be completed prior to using the disposable electronic message address formulated such that, when answered correctly, the configurable anti-spam challenge is designed to give an increased assurance that the sender is not sending spam, the anti-spam challenge being configurable to include a variable type or number of challenges to reduce unsolicited electronic messages;

completing the anti-spam challenge received in the response;

receiving an indication that the address generation server has added the return electronic message address to an allow list associated with the disposable electronic message address to indicate that electronic messages received from the return electronic message address are authorized to use the disposable electronic message address;

receiving an indication that the electronic address of the one or more other recipients other than the intended recipient have been added to the allow list; and

sending one or more subsequent electronic messages to the intended recipient using the disposable electronic message address.

4. A method as recited in claim 3, wherein the initial electronic message comprises at least one or an electronic mail message and a World Wide Web request.

5. A method as recited in claim 3, wherein the initial electronic message comprises a header identifying the initial electronic message as a request for the disposable electronic message address of the intended recipient.

6. A method as recited in claim 3, wherein the anti-spam challenge comprises at least one of a computational challenge, a monetary challenge, and a human challenge.

7. For a client system that connects to an electronic messaging system for exchanging electronic messages between senders and recipients, a computer program product comprising one or more computer readable media carrying computer executable instructions for implementing a method of sending an electronic message to a recipient without knowing the recipient'"'"'s one or more actual electronic message addresses, thereby allowing the recipient to reduce unsolicited electronic messages sent to the recipient, the method comprising acts of:

sending an initial electronic message to an address generation server, the initial electronic message comprising an address identifying the intended recipient, a return address for a sender of the electronic message, and an electronic address of one or more other recipients other than the intended recipient;

receiving a response from the address generation server that includes a disposable electronic message address for the intended recipient and a configurable anti-spam challenge to be completed prior to using the disposable electronic message address formulated such that, when answered correctly, the configurable anti-spam challenge is designed to give an increased assurance that the sender is not sending spam, the anti-spam challenge being configurable to include a variable type or number of challenges to reduce unsolicited electronic messages;

completing the anti-spam challenge received in the response;

receiving an indication that the address generation server has added the return electronic message address to an allow list associated with the disposable electronic message address to indicate that electronic messages received from the return electronic message address are authorized to use the disposable electronic message address;

receiving an indication that the electronic address of the one or more other recipients other than the intended recipient have been added to the allow list; and

sending one or more subsequent electronic messages to the intended recipient using the disposable electronic message address.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the initial electronic message comprises at least one or an electronic mail message and a World Wide Web request.

9. The method of claim 7, wherein the initial electronic message comprises a header identifying the initial electronic message as a request for the disposable electronic message address of the intended recipient.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein the anti-spam challenge comprises at least one of a computational challenge, a monetary challenge, and a human challenge.

11. In a system for exchanging electronic messages between senders and recipients, a method of reducing unsolicited electronic messages for a recipient by creating one or more disposable electronic message addresses to avoid the need for sharing one or more permanent electronic message addresses, the method comprising the acts of:

receiving at an address generation server, an electronic message comprising a request address for identifying an intended recipient and one or more recipients other than the intended recipient, a return electronic message address corresponding to a sender of the received electronic message, and an electronic address of one or more other recipients other than the intended recipient;

verifying that the intended recipient identified by the request address is known to the address generation server;

creating a disposable electronic message address for the intended recipient, wherein the disposable electronic message address is formatted so as to require a challenge of some form before the disposable electronic message address may be used, the challenge discouraging use of the disposable electronic message address for sending unsolicited electronic messages;

sending the disposable electronic message address to the return electronic message address included in the received electronic message so that the sender may use the disposable electronic message address to send one or more electronic messages to the intended recipient;

adding the return electronic message address to an allow list associated with the disposable electronic message address to indicate that electronic messages received from the return electronic message address are authorized to use the disposable electronic message address; and

adding an electronic address of the one or more other recipients other than the intended recipient to the allow list.

12. A method as recited in claim 11, wherein the electronic message comprises an electronic mail message.

13. A method as recited in claim 11, wherein the electronic mail message is initiated in response to a user selecting a “

mailfor”

uniform resource identifier in a web document.

14. A method as recited in claim 11, wherein the disposable address comprises a globally unique identifier.

15. A method as recited in claim 11, wherein the return electronic mail address represents a request for a disposable electronic message address corresponding to the sender, the method further comprising acts of:

receiving a sender'"'"'s anti-spam challenge in response to sending the created disposable electronic message address to the return electronic message address included in the received electronic message;

completing the sender'"'"'s anti-spam challenge to obtain a disposable electronic message addressed for the sender; and

sending the disposable electronic message address, created in response to the received electronic message, to the disposable electronic message address obtained for the sender by completing the received anti-spam challenge.

16. A method as recited in claim 11, wherein the address generation server comprises an electronic message server that receives and processes electronic messages directed to the disposable electronic message address created for the intended recipient.

17. A method as recited in claim 11, wherein the received electronic message comprises a header identifying the received electronic message as a request for the disposable electronic message address of the intended recipient.

18. A method as recited in claim 11, further comprising an act of sending a notification to the intended recipient that the electronic message for requesting the disposable electronic message address was received by the address generation server.

19. A method as recited in claim 11, further comprising an act of adding the return electronic message address to an allow list associated with the disposable electronic message address to indicate that electronic messages received from the return electronic message address are authorized to use the disposable electronic message address.

20. A method as recited in claim 19, wherein the electronic message is electronically addressed to one or more recipients other than the intended recipient, the method further comprising an act of adding an electronic address of the one or more other recipients to the allow list.

21. A method as recited in claim 11, wherein the anti-spam challenge comprises at least one of a computational challenge, a monetary challenge, and a human challenge.

22. A method as recited in claim 11, wherein the electronic message is received from an electronic message server that receives electronic message directed to on or more disposable electronic message addresses created for the intended recipient because the sender identified by the return electronic message address is not authorized to use a previously created disposable electronic message address to which the electronic message was directed.

23. A method as recited in claim 11, further comprising an act of assigning one or more expiry criteria to the disposable electronic message address.

24. A method as recited in claim 23, wherein the expiry criteria comprises at least one of a received electronic message count, an expiration time, and an inactivity time.

25. A method as recited in claim 11, wherein the return electronic message address is determined to be associated with a sender of unsolicited email, and wherein the disposable electronic message address is a null address at which received electronic messages are automatically deleteable, without interaction from the intended recipient.

26. A method as recited in claim 11, wherein the electronic message comprises at least one or an electronic mail message and a World Wide Web request.

27. A method as recited in claim 11, wherein the request is received by address generation server that is separate from an electronic message server for receiving electronic messages that are directed to the disposable electronic message address for the intended recipient.

28. For a system that exchanges electronic messages between senders and recipients, a computer program product comprising one or more computer readable media carrying computer executable instructions that implement a method of reducing unsolicited electronic messages for a recipient by creating one or more disposable electronic message addresses to avoid the need for sharing one or more permanent electronic message addresses, the method comprising acts of:

receiving at an address generation server, an electronic message comprising a request address for identifying an intended recipient and one or more recipients other than the intended recipient, a return electronic message address corresponding to a sender of the received electronic message, and an electronic address of one or more other recipients other than the intended recipient;

verifying that the intended recipient identified by the request address is known to the address generation server;

creating a disposable electronic message address for the intended recipient, wherein the disposable electronic message address is formatted so as to require a challenge of some form before the disposable electronic message address may be used, the challenge discouraging use of the disposable electronic message address for sending unsolicited electronic messages;

sending the disposable electronic message address to the return electronic message address included in the received electronic message so that the sender may use the disposable electronic message address to send one or more electronic messages to the intended recipient;

adding the return electronic message address to an allow list associated with the disposable electronic message address to indicate that electronic messages received from the return electronic message address are authorized to use the disposable electronic message address; and

adding an electronic address of the one or more other recipients other than the intended recipient to the allow list.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein the electronic message comprises an electronic mail message.

30. The method of claim 29, wherein the electronic mail message is initiated in response to a user selecting a “

mailfor”

uniform resource identifier in a web document.

31. The method of claim 28, wherein the return electronic mail address represents a request for a disposable electronic message address corresponding to the sender, the method further comprising acts of:

receiving a sender'"'"'s anti-spam challenge in response to sending the created disposable electronic message address to the return electronic message address included in the received electronic message;

completing the sender'"'"'s anti-spam challenge to obtain a disposable electronic message addressed for the sender; and

sending the disposable electronic message address, created in response to the received electronic message, to the disposable electronic message address obtained for the sender by completing the received anti-spam challenge.

32. The method of claim 28, wherein the address generation server comprises an electronic message server that receives and processes electronic messages directed to the disposable electronic message address created for the intended recipient.

33. The method of claim 28, further comprising an act of sending a notification to the intended recipient that the electronic message for requesting the disposable electronic message address was received by the address generation server.

34. The method of claim 28, further comprising an act of adding the return electronic message address to an allow list associated with the disposable electronic message address to indicate that electronic messages received from the return electronic message address are authorized to use the disposable electronic message address.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein the electronic message is electronically addressed to one or more recipients other than the intended recipient, the method further comprising an act of adding an electronic address of the one or more other recipients to the allow list.

36. The method of claim 28, wherein the anti-spam challenge comprises at least one of a computational challenge, a monetary challenge, and a human challenge.

37. The method of claim 28, the method further comprising an act of assigning one or more expiry criteria to the disposable electronic message address.

38. The method of claim 28, wherein the return electronic message address is determined to be associated with a sender of unsolicited email, and wherein the disposable electronic message address is a null address at which received electronic messages may be deleted automatically, without interaction from the intended recipient.

39. The method of claim 28, wherein the address generation server receives the electronic message from another server.