Method, system, and apparatus for providing self-destructing electronic mail messages
First Claim
1. A method for providing self-destructing electronic mail messages, comprising:
- receiving a request to send a self-destructing electronic mail message, the request comprising a message body and a time period within which the self-destructing electronic mail message is to be destroyed, the self-destructing electronic mail message including a designation that prevents an electronic mail client of a first recipient of the self-destructing electronic mail message in a home domain of a sender of the self-destructing electronic mail message from performing an operation that results in duplication of contents of the self-destructing electronic mail message, wherein a plurality of operations that is prevented includes forwarding the self-destructing electronic mail message to a second recipient, printing the self-destructing electronic mail message, copying contents of the self-destructing electronic mail message into memory, and pasting the contents of the self-destructing electronic mail message from memory into a new document;
presenting a security warning when any intended recipient of the self-destructing electronic mail message is located beyond the home domain of the sender;
transmitting, in response to an indication that the sender selected to proceed with transmitting the self-destructing electronic mail message to a network beyond the home domain of the sender of the self-destructing electronic mail message, the request to an electronic mail client application in the network beyond the home domain; and
after transmitting the self-destructing electronic mail message and after expiration of the time period, deleting, by an electronic mail server, any instances of the self-destructing electronic mail message that are being stored at the electronic mail server.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method, system, and apparatus for providing a self-destructing e-mail messages are described. An e-mail client application provides a user interface through which the sender of an e-mail message can enter the message and a time period for destruction of the message. Once the sender has provided this information, the e-mail client application sends a request to an e-mail server application to transmit the self-destructing e-mail message. The e-mail client application may also receive self-destructing e-mail messages. When a self-destructing e-mail message is received, the destruction date associated with the e-mail message is identified and the message is destroyed at the specified time. The e-mail client application can also limit the number and type of operations that may be performed on a self-destructing e-mail. An e-mail server application is also provided that receives requests from the e-mail client application to transmit self-destructing e-mail messages and perform other functions.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for providing self-destructing electronic mail messages, comprising:
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receiving a request to send a self-destructing electronic mail message, the request comprising a message body and a time period within which the self-destructing electronic mail message is to be destroyed, the self-destructing electronic mail message including a designation that prevents an electronic mail client of a first recipient of the self-destructing electronic mail message in a home domain of a sender of the self-destructing electronic mail message from performing an operation that results in duplication of contents of the self-destructing electronic mail message, wherein a plurality of operations that is prevented includes forwarding the self-destructing electronic mail message to a second recipient, printing the self-destructing electronic mail message, copying contents of the self-destructing electronic mail message into memory, and pasting the contents of the self-destructing electronic mail message from memory into a new document; presenting a security warning when any intended recipient of the self-destructing electronic mail message is located beyond the home domain of the sender; transmitting, in response to an indication that the sender selected to proceed with transmitting the self-destructing electronic mail message to a network beyond the home domain of the sender of the self-destructing electronic mail message, the request to an electronic mail client application in the network beyond the home domain; and after transmitting the self-destructing electronic mail message and after expiration of the time period, deleting, by an electronic mail server, any instances of the self-destructing electronic mail message that are being stored at the electronic mail server. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for providing self-destructing electronic mail messages, the method comprising:
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receiving, by an electronic mail server, a request to send a first self-destructing electronic mail message, the request comprising a message body and a time period within which the first self-destructing electronic mail message is to be destroyed, the first self-destructing electronic mail message including a designation that prevents an electronic mail client of a first recipient of the first self-destructing electronic mail message in a home domain of a sender of the first self-destructing electronic mail message from performing an operation that results in duplication of contents of the first self-destructing electronic mail message, wherein a plurality of operations that is prevented includes forwarding the first self-destructing electronic mail message to a second recipient, printing the first self-destructing electronic mail message, copying contents of the first self-destructing electronic mail message into memory, and pasting the contents of the first self-destructing electronic mail message from memory into a new document; presenting, by the electronic mail server, a security warning when any intended recipient of the first self-destructing electronic mail message is located beyond the home domain of a sender of the first self-destructing electronic mail message; transmitting, in response to an indication that the sender selected to proceed with transmitting the first self-destructing electronic mail message, the first self-destructing electronic mail message to an intended recipient; after transmitting the first self-destructing electronic mail message and after expiration of the time period, deleting, by the electronic mail server, any instances of the first self-destructing electronic mail message that are being stored at the electronic mail server; receiving, at the electronic mail server, a second self-destructing electronic mail message that includes a second message body and a second time period within which the second self-destructing electronic mail message is to be destroyed, the second self-destructing electronic mail message including a designation that prevents a second electronic mail client of a recipient of the second self-destructing electronic mail message in a home domain of a respective sender of the second self-destructing electronic mail message from performing an operation that results in duplication of contents of the second self-destructing electronic mail message, wherein a plurality of operations that is prevented includes forwarding the second self-destructing electronic mail message to a different recipient, printing the second self-destructing electronic mail message, copying contents of the second self-destructing electronic mail message into memory, and pasting the contents of the second self-destructing electronic mail message from memory into a new document; storing the second self-destructing electronic mail message; determining whether the second self-destructing electronic mail message can be destroyed; identifying the second self-destructing electronic mail message destruction date; and facilitating destruction of the second self-destructing electronic mail message. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A system for providing self-destructing electronic mail messages, the system comprising:
a memory component that stores an electronic mail server application, the electronic mail server application configured to perform at least the following; receive a request to transmit a self-destructing electronic mail message, the self-destructing electronic mail message including a designation that prevents an electronic mail client of a first recipient of the self-destructing electronic mail message in a home domain of a sender of the self-destructing electronic mail message from performing an operation that results in duplication of contents of the self-destructing electronic mail message, wherein a plurality of operations that is prevented includes forwarding the self-destructing electronic mail message to a second recipient, printing the self-destructing electronic mail message, copying contents of the self-destructing electronic mail message into memory, and pasting the contents of the self-destructing electronic mail message from memory into a new document; present a security warning when an intended recipient of the self-destructing electronic mail message is located beyond the home domain of the sender; transmit the self-destructing electronic mail message to an electronic mail client application; and after transmitting the self-destructing electronic mail message and after expiration of the time period, delete any instances of the self-destructing electronic mail message that are being stored by the electronic mail server application. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
Specification