Dynamic domain based electronic mail signature lines

• US 7,827,246 B2
• Filed: 03/14/2008
• Issued: 11/02/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2008
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: LinkedIn Corporation (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Seippel, Alvin J. III, Seippel, Caryn N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jaroenchonwanit; Bunjob
• Application Number:
  US12/049,151
• Publication Number:
  US 20090234925A1
• Time in Patent Office: 963 Days
• Field of Search: 709/206, 709/207
• US Class Current: 709/206
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/107 Computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/063 Content adaptation, e.g. replacement of unsuitable content

Abstract

A method for automatically choosing an electronic correspondence signature line, having an electronic search agent for scanning electronic correspondence for the designated destination address of the electronic correspondence, and retrieving at least one designated destination address for the electronic correspondence. The method also includes determining a domain name associated with the at least one designated destination address for the electronic correspondence retrieved by the electronic search agent and comparing the domain name for the at least one destination address with a predetermined list of domain names. The method also includes selecting at least one signature line for the electronic correspondence from a plurality of signature lines, based on the at least one domain name associated with the designated destination address of said electronic correspondence and attaching the at least one selected signature line to the electronic correspondence designated for the destination address.

Claims

1. A method for automatically choosing an electronic correspondence signature line on a computer, said method comprising:

an electronic search agent said electronic search agent,

scanning said electronic correspondence on a computer for the designated destination address of said electronic correspondence, and

retrieving at least one designated destination address for said electronic correspondence;

determining a domain name associated with said at least one designated destination address for said electronic correspondence retrieved by said electronic search agent;

comparing on a computer said domain name for said at least one destination address with a predetermined list of domain names;

selecting on a computer at least one signature line for said electronic correspondence from a plurality of signature lines, based on said at least one domain name associated with said designated destination address of said electronic correspondence;

attaching on a computer said at least one selected signature line to said electronic correspondence designated for said destination address.

2. The method for automatically choosing an electronic correspondence signature line on a computer of claim 1 further comprising:

associating a domain name for at least one destination address with a set, class or family of domain names;

selecting on a computer a signature line for said electronic correspondence from a plurality of signature lines, based on said set, class or family of domain names associated with said designated destination address of said electronic correspondence;

attaching said selected signature line to said electronic correspondence designated for said destination address.

3. The method for automatically choosing an electronic correspondence signature line on a computer of claim 1 further comprising:

determining if said recipient domain name meets a set of requirements for a first signature list, and if said recipient domain name meets the requirements of said first signature list, attaching the signature line associated with said first signature list to the e-mail to that particular e-mail recipient; and

,

retrieving on a computer a second signature list, if said recipient domain name does not meet the requirements of said first signature list.

4. The method for automatically choosing an electronic correspondence signature line of claim 3 further comprising:

determining if said domain name meets a set of requirements for a second signature list, and if said recipient domain name meets the requirements of said second signature list, attaching the signature line associated with said second signature list to the e-mail to that particular e-mail recipient; and

,

retrieving on a computer a next e-mail signature list, if said recipient domain name does not meet the requirements of said second signature list.

5. The method for automatically choosing an electronic correspondence signature line on a computer of claim 4 further comprising:

determining if said recipient domain name meets the requirements of a next signature list, and if said recipient domain name meets the parameters of said next signature list, attaching the signature line associated with said next signature list to the e-mail to that particular e-mail recipient.

6. The method for automatically choosing an electronic correspondence signature line on a computer of claim 5 further comprising:

Selecting on a computer a default e-mail signature and, attaching said default signature line to the e-mail to a particular e-mail recipient if said recipient domain name does not meet the requirements of any designated signature list.