Computer implemented system and method for predictive management of electronic messages

• US 7,469,280 B2
• Filed: 11/04/2002
• Issued: 12/23/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/04/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Oracle America, Inc. (Oracle Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sun Microsystems Incorporated (Oracle Corporation)
• Inventors: Simpson, Nigel
• Primary Examiner(s): Jacobs; Lashonda T
• Application Number:
  US10/287,992
• Publication Number:
  US 20040088359A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,241 Days
• Field of Search: 709/206, 709/203, 709/217, 709/219, 709/223, 709/224, 379/88.22, 379/93.24, 379/100.08
• US Class Current: 709/223
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/107 Computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing]

Abstract

A computer implemented method and system for filtering incoming electronic messages based on user objectives is disclosed. For example, automated assistance can be provided in realizing a user objective of filtering electronic mail (e-mail) messages associated with a “conversation” thread. The electronic message filtering system can receive an e-mail message, examine attributes or characteristics of the e-mail message, determine if a rule has been established for messages with the characteristics of the incoming message, and if there has been a rule set up, automatically implement an action in accordance with the rule. For example, when electronic messages with particular information in the header (e.g., a particular subject) are received, the messages are automatically moved to a designated trash folder. Additionally, finer granularity of message management can be achieved (e.g., an action is automatically implemented to display a message from a particular sender at the top of a list).

Claims

1. A method for managing messages within an e-mail application comprising:

monitoring a plurality of actions performed by a user of the e-mail application to identify a pattern;

formulating a message management objective for processing messages based on the pattern;

creating a rule definition consistent with the message management objective, wherein messages within the e-mail application are automatically processed based on the rule definition, wherein the rule definition comprises a rule expiration timer and a rule deletion timer; and

removing the rule definition when the rule deletion timer expires,

wherein identifying the pattern comprises identifying a commonly performed action on messages having a similar characteristic within the e-mail application, and

wherein messages are automatically processed by executing the commonly performed action on messages having the similar characteristic.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the rule definition comprises:

a message profile; and

the commonly performed action.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising:

executing the commonly performed action.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

deactivating the rule definition when the rule expiration timer expires.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

selecting to enforce the rule definition within the e-mail application based on user input.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the commonly performed action comprises:

moving messages to a designated folder.

7. A message management system executing on a computer system comprising a processor, the message management system comprising:

an e-mail application;

a rule database; and

a rule engine configured for;

monitoring a plurality of actions performed by a user of the e-mail application to identify a pattern;

formulating a message management objective for processing messages based on the pattern;

creating a rule definition consistent with the message management objective, wherein messages within the e-mail application are automatically processed based on the rule definition, wherein the rule definition comprises a rule expiration timer and a rule deletion timer;

storing the rule definition in the rule database; and

removing the rule definition from the rule database when the rule deletion timer expires,

wherein identifying the pattern comprises identifying a commonly performed action on messages having a similar characteristic within the e-mail application, and

wherein messages are automatically processed by executing the commonly performed action on messages having the similar characteristic.

8. The message management system of claim 7 wherein the rule definition comprises:

a message profile; and

the commonly performed action.

9. The message management system of claim 8 wherein the rule engine is further configured for:

executing the commonly performed action.

10. The message management system of claim 7 wherein the rule engine is further configured for:

deactivating the rule definition when the rule expiration timer expires.

11. The message management system of claim 7 wherein the rule engine is further configured for:

selecting to enforce the rule definition within the e-mail application based on user input.

12. A computer readable medium with software instructions stored thereon to:

monitor a plurality of actions performed by a user of an e-mail application to identity a pattern;

formulate a message management objective for processing messages based on the pattern;

create a rule definition consistent with the message management objective, wherein messages within the e-mail application are automatically processed based on the rule definition, wherein the rule definition comprises a rule expiration timer and a rule deletion timer; and

remove the rule definition when the rule deletion timer expires,

wherein identifying the pattern comprises identifying a commonly performed action on messages having a similar characteristic within the e-mail application, and

wherein messages are automatically processed by executing the commonly performed action on messages having the similar characteristic.