Method and apparatus for parental control of electronic messaging contacts for a child
First Claim
1. A method of receiving an electronic message from a sender, comprising:
- receiving the electronic message over a text-based communication channel in a network, the electronic message having a unique identifier for the source embedded therein;
removing the unique identifier from the electronic message;
passing the electronic message to a client for presentation of the electronic message to an intended recipient;
sending the unique identifier, removed from the electronic message, to a host on the network for storage in a log for the intended recipient of the electronic message; and
obtaining registration information associated with the sender from the host in response to a request for the registration information from a first custodian associated with the intended recipient, the registration information being selected by the host based on the unique identifier in the log, wherein the registration information includes information for contacting a second custodian associated with the sender such that the first custodian is enabled to communicate with the second custodian without compromising the identity of the sender or the intended recipient, wherein the first custodian has custodial control over the intended recipient, and wherein the second custodian has custodial control over the sender.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Method and apparatus for parental control of electronic messaging contacts of a child is described. One aspect of the invention relates to communication of an electronic message from sender to recipient over a text-based communication channel established between sender and receiver clients on a network. A host on the network is configured to generate a unique identifier for the sender and maintain a log for the recipient. A first proxy module is configured to receive the electronic message from the sender client, embed the unique identifier associated with the sender therein, and forward the electronic message towards the receiver client over the text-based communication channel. A second proxy module is configured to receive the electronic message from the text-based communication channel, remove the unique identifier from the electronic message, send the unique identifier to the host for storage in the log, and forward the electronic message to receiver client.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method of receiving an electronic message from a sender, comprising:
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receiving the electronic message over a text-based communication channel in a network, the electronic message having a unique identifier for the source embedded therein; removing the unique identifier from the electronic message; passing the electronic message to a client for presentation of the electronic message to an intended recipient; sending the unique identifier, removed from the electronic message, to a host on the network for storage in a log for the intended recipient of the electronic message; and obtaining registration information associated with the sender from the host in response to a request for the registration information from a first custodian associated with the intended recipient, the registration information being selected by the host based on the unique identifier in the log, wherein the registration information includes information for contacting a second custodian associated with the sender such that the first custodian is enabled to communicate with the second custodian without compromising the identity of the sender or the intended recipient, wherein the first custodian has custodial control over the intended recipient, and wherein the second custodian has custodial control over the sender. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A method of sending an electronic message from a sender, comprising:
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sending registration information for the sender to a host on a network, the registration information not compromising the identity of the sender; receiving a unique identifier from the host in response to the registration information; receiving an electronic message generated by the sender using a client; embedding the unique identifier in the electronic message; and sending the electronic message to an intended recipient over a text-based communication channel in the network, wherein a first custodian associated with the intended recipient obtains the registration information associated with the sender from the host in response to a request for the registration information, the registration information is selected by the host based on the unique identifier, and wherein the registration information includes information for contacting a second custodian associated with the sender such that the first custodian is enabled to communicate with the second custodian without compromising the identity of the sender or the intended recipient, wherein the first custodian has custodial control over the intended recipient, and wherein the second custodian has custodial control over the sender. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A system for communication of an electronic message from a sender to an intended recipient over a text-based communication channel established between sender and receiver clients on a network, comprising:
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at least one processor configured to; generate a unique identifier for the sender and maintain a log for the intended recipient; receive the electronic message from the sender client, embed the unique identifier associated with the sender therein, and forward the electronic message towards the receiver client over the text-based communication channel; and receive the electronic message from the text-based communication channel, remove the unique identifier from the electronic message, send the unique identifier, removed from the electronic message, to the host for storage in the log, obtain registration information associated with the sender from the host in response to a request for the registration information from a first custodian associated with the intended recipient, the registration information being selected by the host based on the unique identifier in the log, and forward the electronic message to receiver client, wherein the registration information includes information for contacting a second custodian associated with the sender such that the first custodian is enabled to communicate with the second custodian without compromising the identity of the sender or the intended recipient, wherein the first custodian has custodial control over the intended recipient, and wherein the second custodian has custodial control over the sender; and at least one memory, coupled to the at least one processor, configured to provide the at least one processor with instructions. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16)
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Specification