Electronic message response and remediation system and method

• US 7,853,657 B2
• Filed: 12/08/2005
• Issued: 12/14/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: John Martin
• Original Assignee: John Martin
• Inventors: Martin, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Follansbee; John
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mejia; Anthony
• Application Number:
  US11/297,173
• Publication Number:
  US 20060168065A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,832 Days
• Field of Search: 709/206, 709/224
• US Class Current: 709/206
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/107 Computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/214 using selective forwarding

Abstract

Provided is a method, system and software for responding to an incoming electronic message, including determining whether the incoming electronic message is relevant or irrelevant to a user, and if the incoming electronic message is irrelevant to the user, parsing the incoming electronic message for message origination information and replying to the message using the message origination information.

Claims

1. A method for responding to an incoming electronic message, the method executed by a processor and associated computer memory configured to perform the method comprising the steps of:

determining whether the incoming electronic message is relevant or irrelevant to a user using a user profile containing information regarding relevant and irrelevant messages;

if the incoming electronic message is irrelevant to the user, parsing the incoming electronic message for message origination information, wherein the message origination information parsed includes one or more items selected from the group comprising;

a sending email address, a sending email domain, a unique message identifier, a reply email address, a reply email domain, a response domain, a response email, a response URL, an opt out URL, an opt out email, and an anonymous FTP login for message image, physical address and telephone numbers; and

replying to the message using the message origination information, wherein replying comprises;

measuring and capturing sender suggested content for the user to review at a time convenient to the user; and

repeat replying to the message at a first user-specified interval of time or until the sender suggested content is successfully measured and captured within a second user-specified interval of time or until a reply is sent a user-specified number of times.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the determining and parsing steps are performed as the incoming electronic messages are received.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the determining and parsing steps are performed at a time other than when the incoming electronic message is received.

6. The method according to claim 1, further comprising identifying, tracking variants, and removing any software that records a user'"'"'s keystrokes, displays banners or other computer advertising, or reports the user'"'"'s behavior to a third party.

7. The method according to claim 6, further comprising identifying the network address the software was received from and any network address the user information is being sent to.

8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising identifying, tracking and removing software that enables a user'"'"'s computer to be controlled remotely.

13. The method according to claim 1, further comprising sharing information regarding irrelevant messages with other users by the user.

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein the sharing is performed using a peer-to-peer file system and grid architecture.

15. The method according to claim 1, further comprising sharing by the user information regarding the irrelevant messages with one or more super nodes on a network.

36. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

contacting a sending web server or electronic content repository using the message origination information; and

if the sending web server or electronic content repository is unable to respond, continuing to attempt contacting the sending web server or electronic content repository after a time interval defined by the user.

4. A method for responding to an incoming electronic message, the method executed by a processor and associated computer memory configured to perform the method comprising the steps of:

determining whether the incoming electronic message is relevant or irrelevant to a user using a user profile containing information regarding relevant and irrelevant messages;

if the incoming electronic message is irrelevant to the user, parsing the incoming electronic message for message origination information, wherein the message origination information parsed includes one or more items selected from the group comprising;

a sending email address, a sending email domain, a unique message identifier, a reply email address, a reply email domain, a response domain, a response email, a response URL, an opt out URL, an opt out email, and an anonymous FTP login for message image, physical address and telephone numbers; and

replying to the message using the message origination information, wherein replying comprises;

sending at least one message to a relevant third party entity in accordance with a user configuration; and

,

repeat replying to the message at a first user-specified interval of time or until a response indicating receipt of the at least one message is received within a second user-specified interval of time or until a reply is sent a user-specified number of times.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the relevant third party entity is a government entity.

9. A method for responding to an incoming electronic message, the method executed by a processor and associated computer memory configured to perform the method comprising the steps of:

determining whether the incoming electronic message is relevant or irrelevant to a user using a user profile containing information regarding relevant and irrelevant messages;

if the incoming electronic message is irrelevant to the user, parsing the incoming electronic message for message origination information, wherein the message origination information parsed includes one or more items selected from the group comprising;

a sending email address, a sending email domain, a unique message identifier, a reply email address, a reply email domain, a response domain, a response email, a response URL, an opt out URL, an opt out email, and an anonymous FTP login for message image, physical address and telephone numbers; and

replying to the message using the message origination information, wherein replying comprises;

measuring the time it takes for an electronic packet to be sent to and subsequently received by the sender of the incoming electronic message; and

,

repeat replying to the message at a first user-specified interval of time or until the time for an electronic packet to be sent to and received by the sender of the incoming electronic message is measured within a second user-specified interval of time or until a reply is sent a user-specified number of times.

10. A method for responding to an incoming electronic message, the method executed by a processor and associated computer memory configured to perform the method comprising the steps of:

determining whether the incoming electronic message is relevant or irrelevant to a user using a user profile containing information regarding relevant and irrelevant messages;

if the incoming electronic message is irrelevant to the user, parsing the incoming electronic message for message origination information, wherein the message origination information parsed includes one or more items selected from the group comprising;

a sending email address, a sending email domain, a unique message identifier, a reply email address, a reply email domain, a response domain, a response email, a response URL, an opt out URL, an opt out email, and an anonymous FTP login for message image, physical address and telephone numbers; and

replying to the message using the message origination information, wherein replying comprises;

tracing the route to a sender of the incoming electronic message; and

,

repeat replying to the message at a first user-specified interval of time or until the route is successfully traced within a second user-specified interval of time or until a reply is sent a user-specified number of times.

11. A method for responding to an incoming electronic message, the method executed by a processor and associated computer memory configured to perform the method comprising the steps of:

determining whether the incoming electronic message is relevant or irrelevant to a user using a user profile containing information regarding relevant and irrelevant messages;

if the incoming electronic message is irrelevant to the user, parsing the incoming electronic message for message origination information, wherein the message origination information parsed includes one or more items selected from the group comprising;

a sending email address, a sending email domain, a unique message identifier, a reply email address, a reply email domain, a response domain, a response email, a response URL, an opt out URL, an opt out email, and an anonymous FTP login for message image, physical address and telephone numbers; and

replying to the message using the message origination information, wherein replying comprises;

determining a web server or electronic content repository used to send the electronic message and sending the web server or electronic content repository a response message; and

repeat replying to the message at a first user-specified interval of time or until a response indicating receipt of the response message to the web server or electronic content repository is received within a second user-specified interval of time or until a reply is sent a user-specified number of times.

12. A method for responding to an incoming electronic message, the method executed by a processor and associated computer memory configured to perform the method comprising the steps of:

determining whether the incoming electronic message is relevant or irrelevant to a user using a user profile containing information regarding relevant and irrelevant messages;

if the incoming electronic message is irrelevant to the user, parsing the incoming electronic message for message origination information, wherein the message origination information parsed includes one or more items selected from the group comprising;

a sending email address, a sending email domain, a unique message identifier, a reply email address, a reply email domain, a response domain, a response email, a response URL, an opt out URL, an opt out email, and an anonymous FTP login for message image, physical address and telephone numbers; and

replying to the message using the message origination information, wherein replying comprises;

determining an email domain web server, a sending email address, a sending email domain, a unique message identifier, a reply email address, a reply email domain, a response domain, a response email, a response URL, an opt out URL, an opt out email, and an anonymous FTP used to send the electronic message and sending a first response message to each server log, email address, or domain, as determined, requesting that no additional electronic messages be sent; and

repeat replying to the message at a first user-specified interval of time or until a second response message indicating that the first response message requesting that no additional electronic messages be sent is received within a second user-specified interval of time or until a reply is sent a user-specified number of times.

16. A message response system comprising

an electronic message receiver node comprising a processor operably connected to a computer memory and a network communication device, the processor and memory configured to operate the network communication device and to receive at least one message over the network communication device;

the network communication device further in communication with a network;

the electronic message receiver node being associated with a user;

the processor and memory further configured to perform the steps of;

determining whether the at least one message is relevant or irrelevant to the user using a user profile containing information regarding relevant and irrelevant messages;

if the message is irrelevant, parsing the at least one message for message origination information, wherein the message origination information parsed includes one or more items selected from the group comprising;

a sending email address, a sending email domain, a unique message identifier, a reply email address, a reply email domain, a response domain, a response email, a response URL, an opt out URL, an opt out email, and an anonymous FTP login for message image, physical address and telephone numbers; and

replying to the message using the message origination information, wherein replying comprises;

measuring and capturing sender suggested content for the user to review at a time convenient to the user; and

repeat replying to the message at a first user-specified interval of time or until the sender suggested content is measured and captured within a second user-specified interval of time or until a reply is sent a user-specified number of times.

17. The system according to claim 16, wherein the processor and memory perform the step of determining whether the at least one message is relevant or irrelevant to the user using a user profile containing information regarding relevant and irrelevant messages.

18. The system according to claim 16, wherein the determining and parsing steps are performed in real time.

19. The system according to claim 16, wherein the determining and parsing steps are performed at a time other than when the at least one message is received.

20. The system according to claim 16, wherein the processor and memory are further configured to perform the step comprising sending the at least one message to a relevant third party entity in accordance with a user configuration.

21. The system according to claim 20, wherein the relevant third party entity is a governmental entity.

22. The system according to claim 16, wherein the processor and memory are further configured to perform the steps comprising:

identifying and tracking variants of the incoming electronic message.

23. The system according to claim 16, wherein the processor and memory are further configured to perform the step comprising removing any software that records the user'"'"'s keystrokes, displays banners or other computer advertising, or reports the user'"'"'s behavior to a third party.

24. The system according to claim 23, wherein the processor and memory are further configured to perform the step comprising identifying the network address the software was received from and any network address any user information is being sent to.

25. The system according to claim 16, wherein the processor and memory are further configured to perform the steps comprising:

identifying, tracking and removing software that enables the node to be controlled remotely.

26. The system according to claim 25, wherein the processor and memory are further configured to perform the steps comprising:

measuring and capturing sender suggested content for the user to review at a time convenient to the user.

27. The system according to claim 24, wherein the processor and memory are further configured to perform the step comprising measuring the time it takes for an electronic packet to be sent and subsequently received by the network address the software was received from.

28. The system according to claim 26, wherein the processor and memory are further configured to perform the step comprising tracing the route to a sender of the at least one message.

29. The system according to claim 16, wherein replying further comprises:

determining a web server or electronic content repository used to send the electronic message, and sending the web server or electronic content repository a response message.

30. The system according to claim 16, wherein replying further comprises:

determining an email domain web server used to send the electronic message, sending a response to the email domain'"'"'s web server log requesting that no further messages be sent.

31. The system according to claim 16, wherein the processor and memory are further configured to perform the step comprising sharing information regarding irrelevant messages with other nodes.

32. The system according to claim 31, wherein the sharing is performed using a peer-to-peer file system and grid architecture.

33. The system according to claim 17, wherein the processor and memory are further configured to perform the step comprising sharing information regarding the irrelevant messages with one or more super nodes on the network.

34. The system according to claim 16, wherein the processor and memory are further configured for

generating a copy of the computer software used to configure the processor and memory of the electronic message receiver node;

embedding a unique identification for the user into the generated copy of the computer software; and

,

providing the generated copy of the computer software to a second user.

35. The system according to claim 34, further comprising an account manager, wherein the account manager receives a notification from a machine associated with the second user, the notification indicating the unique identifier embedded in the generated copy of the computer software, the account manager further performing the steps of billing the second user for the generated copy of the computer software, collecting the billed amount, providing a commission of a portion of billed amount to the user.

37. A method for responding to an incoming electronic message, the method executed by a processor and associated computer memory configured to perform the method comprising the steps of:

determining whether the incoming electronic message is relevant or irrelevant to a user using a user profile containing information regarding relevant and irrelevant messages;

if the incoming electronic message is irrelevant to the user, parsing the incoming electronic message for message origination information, wherein the message origination information parsed includes one or more items selected from the group comprising;

a sending email address, a sending email domain, a unique message identifier, a reply email address, a reply email domain, a response domain, a response email, a response URL, an opt out URL, an opt out email, and an anonymous FTP login for message image, physical address and telephone numbers; and

replying to the message using the message origination information, wherein replying comprises;

determining if the electronic message includes a telephone number and calling any telephone number provided in the message; and

repeat replying to the message at a first user-specified interval of time or until the call to the provided telephone number is answered within a second user-specified interval of time or until a reply is sent a user-specified number of times.

38. A method for responding to an incoming electronic message, the method executed by a processor and associated computer memory configured to perform the method comprising the steps of:

determining whether the incoming electronic message is relevant or irrelevant to a user using a user profile containing information regarding relevant and irrelevant messages;

if the incoming electronic message is irrelevant to the user, parsing the incoming electronic message for message origination information, wherein the message origination information parsed includes one or more items selected from the group comprising;

a sending email address, a sending email domain, a unique message identifier, a reply email address, a reply email domain, a response domain, a response email, a response URL, an opt out URL, an opt out email, and an anonymous FTP login for message image, physical address and telephone numbers; and

replying to the message using the message origination information, wherein replying comprises;

determining all links provided by the electronic message; and

,

when a sending link is provided, sending a response message to the sending link to cease sending messages;

when a reply link is provided, sending a response message to the reply link to cease sending messages;

when a response link is provided, sending a response message to the response link to cease sending messages;

when an opt out link is provided, sending a response message to the opt out link to cease sending messages; and

,

repeat replying to the message at a first user-specified interval of time or until a response to a message sent to a provided link is received within a second user-specified interval of time or until a reply is sent a user-specified number of times.

39. A method for responding to an incoming electronic message, the method executed by a processor and associated computer memory configured to perform the method comprising the steps of:

determining whether the incoming electronic message includes or links to any computer spyware, adware, virus, worm, or botnet;

when the incoming electronic message includes or links to any computer spyware, adware, virus, worm, or botnet, parsing the incoming electronic message for message origination information, wherein the message origination information parsed includes one or more items selected from the group comprising;

a sending email address, a sending email domain, a unique message identifier, a reply email address, a reply email domain, a response domain, a response email, a response URL, an opt out URL, an opt out email, and an anonymous FTP login for message image, physical address and telephone numbers; and

replying to the message using the message origination information, wherein replying comprises any of;

pinging the electronic message'"'"'s server;

tracing a route to the electronic message'"'"'s sender;

looking up the electronic message'"'"'s sender'"'"'s registrar and sending a message to the registrar indicating the incoming electronic message'"'"'s contents;

sending an opt-out message to an opt-out address;

sending a complaint message to the sender;

or

sending a complaint message to a third-party entity; and

,

repeat replying to the message at a first user-specified interval of time or until each reply is complete and each message sent in reply is responded to within a second user-specified interval of time or until a reply is sent a user-specified number of times.

40. A method for responding to an incoming electronic message, the method executed by a processor and associated computer memory configured to perform the method comprising the steps of:

determining whether the incoming electronic message is relevant or irrelevant to a user using a user profile containing information regarding relevant and irrelevant messages;

if the incoming electronic message is irrelevant to the user, parsing the incoming electronic message for message origination information, wherein the message origination information parsed includes one or more items selected from the group comprising;

a sending email address, a sending email domain, a unique message identifier, a reply email address, a reply email domain, a response domain, a response email, a response URL, an opt out URL, an opt out email, and an anonymous FTP login for message image, physical address and telephone numbers; and

replying to the message using the message origination information, wherein replying comprises;

performing a reverse IP lookup for an IP address associated with the electronic message, and collecting and saving information from the reverse IP lookup, said information comprising any of;

all domains hosted at the IP address, IP address location, IP address company contact information, related DNS servers, names and IP addresses; and

,

repeat replying to the message at a first user-specified interval of time or until all information is collected from the reverse IP lookup within a second user-specified interval of time or until a reply is sent a user-specified number of times.

41. A method for responding to an incoming electronic message, the method executed by a processor and associated computer memory configured to perform the method comprising the steps of:

determining whether the incoming electronic message is relevant or irrelevant to a user using a user profile containing information regarding relevant and irrelevant messages;

if the incoming electronic message is irrelevant to the user, parsing the incoming electronic message for message origination information, wherein the message origination information parsed includes one or more items selected from the group comprising;

a sending email address, a sending email domain, a unique message identifier, a reply email address, a reply email domain, a response domain, a response email, a response URL, an opt out URL, an opt out email, and an anonymous FTP login for message image, physical address and telephone numbers;

blocking all messages from the incoming message'"'"'s individual sender and replying to the message using the message origination information, wherein replying comprises any of;

pinging the electronic message'"'"'s server;

tracing a route to the electronic message'"'"'s sender;

looking up the electronic message'"'"'s sender'"'"'s registrar and sending a message to the registrar indicating the incoming electronic message'"'"'s contents;

sending an opt-out message to an opt-out address;

sending a complaint message to the sender;

or

sending a complaint message to a third-party entity; and

,

repeat replying to the message at a first user-specified interval of time or until each reply is complete and each message sent in reply is responded to within a second user-specified interval of time or until a reply is sent a user-specified number of times.

42. A method for responding to an incoming electronic message, the method executed by a processor and associated computer memory configured to perform the method comprising the steps of:

determining whether the incoming electronic message is relevant or irrelevant to a user using a user profile containing information regarding relevant and irrelevant messages;

if the incoming electronic message is irrelevant to the user, parsing the incoming electronic message for message origination information, wherein the message origination information parsed includes one or more items selected from the group comprising;

a sending email address, a sending email domain, a unique message identifier, a reply email address, a reply email domain, a response domain, a response email, a response URL, an opt out URL, an opt out email, and an anonymous FTP login for message image, physical address and telephone numbers;

determining the sending web server or electronic content repository, determining subsequent electronic links on the sender supplied destination URL and/or electronic network addresses, and replying to the message at the sending web server or electronic content repository, subsequent electronic links on the sender supplied destination URL and/or electronic network addresses, wherein replying comprises any of;

pinging the electronic message'"'"'s server,

tracing a route to the electronic message'"'"'s sender,

forwarding the electronic message,

sending an opt-out message to an opt-out address,

sending a complaint message to the sender, or

sending a complaint message to a third-party entity; and

,

repeat replying to the message at a first user-specified interval of time or until each reply is complete and each message sent in reply is responded to within a second user-specified interval of time or until a reply is sent a user-specified number of times.