System and method for copying text messages of a minor to be monitored by a guardian
First Claim
1. A computer-implemented method comprising:
- at a text message carrier server system having one or more processors and memory storing one or more programs for execution by the one or more processors;
receiving a text message from a sender addressed to a receiver;
sending the text message to the receiver;
checking by the text message carrier system, a monitor list for the receiver or the sender, wherein the monitor list is a list of subscribed users;
after sending the text message to the receiver, when the receiver or the sender is on the monitor list, sending from the text message carrier system a copy of the sent text message content to a remote text message monitoring system distinct from the text message carrier system, wherein the remote text messaging monitoring system is configured to provide access to the copy of the sent text message content by an authorized third party; and
sending periodic reminder messages to the sender stating that the sender'"'"'s messages are being copied.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides methods, systems, and computer program products for copying text messages sent to or from a user, such as a child or minor to a location external to the user'"'"'s mobile device, for review by a third party having a legal right to view the user'"'"'s messages, such as a parent or guardian. One aspect of the invention is a method of copying a user'"'"'s messages. The text message carrier server system receives a text message from a sender addressed to a receiver. It sends the text message to the receiver. It also checks a monitor list for the receiver or the sender, and when the receiver or the sender is on the monitor list, it sends a copy of the text message content to a remote text message monitoring system.
22 Citations
25 Claims
-
1. A computer-implemented method comprising:
-
at a text message carrier server system having one or more processors and memory storing one or more programs for execution by the one or more processors; receiving a text message from a sender addressed to a receiver; sending the text message to the receiver; checking by the text message carrier system, a monitor list for the receiver or the sender, wherein the monitor list is a list of subscribed users; after sending the text message to the receiver, when the receiver or the sender is on the monitor list, sending from the text message carrier system a copy of the sent text message content to a remote text message monitoring system distinct from the text message carrier system, wherein the remote text messaging monitoring system is configured to provide access to the copy of the sent text message content by an authorized third party; and sending periodic reminder messages to the sender stating that the sender'"'"'s messages are being copied. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. A computer-implemented method of initiating text message monitoring comprising:
-
at a message monitoring service having one or more processors and memory storing one or more programs for execution by the one or more processors; receiving a request for monitoring text messages to and from a client device associated with a user; sending an opt-in message to the client device; receiving a confirmation of the opt-in message from the client device; after receiving the confirmation of the opt-in message and before instructing a text message carrier, sending to the client device an activation message including information for signing up on a monitoring website for monitoring of text messages to and from the client device, wherein the information for signing up includes account authorization details; receiving at the message monitoring service from the website confirmation that the monitoring request is legitimate and legal and that the client device has been set up for monitoring of messages to and from the client device, wherein the website confirmation is based in part on the information from the activation message; and instructing the text message carrier server system to copy each message sent to or from the client device. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
-
-
17. A computer-implemented method of initiating text message monitoring comprising:
-
at a client device having one or more processors and memory storing one or more programs for execution by the one or more processors; receiving on the client device, an opt-in text message requiring confirmation of a monitoring request; from the client device, responding to the opt-in message by confirming the monitoring request; after responding to the opt-in message, receiving on the client device, an activation text message including information for signing up on a monitoring website for monitoring of text messages to and from the client device, wherein the information for signing up includes account authorization details; and visiting the monitoring website and signing up for monitoring of text messages to and from the client device according to the information received in the activation message. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
-
-
20. A text message carrier system, for copying textual messages, comprising:
-
at least one processor; and memory storing one or more programs to be executed by the at least one processor; the one or more programs comprising instructions for; receiving a text message from a sender addressed to a receiver; sending the text message to the receiver; checking, by the text message carrier system a monitor list for the receiver or the sender, wherein the monitor list is a list of subscribed users; after sending the text message to the receiver, when the receiver or the sender is on the monitor list, sending from the text message carrier system a copy of the sent text message content to a remote text message monitoring system distinct from the text message carrier system, wherein the remote text messaging monitoring system is configured to provide access to the copy of the sent text message content by an authorized third party; and sending periodic reminder messages to the sender stating that the sender'"'"'s messages are being copied.
-
-
21. A monitor service system, for initiating text message monitoring, comprising:
-
a message monitoring service having at least one processor; and memory storing one or more programs to be executed by the at least one processor; the one or more programs comprising instructions for; receiving a request for monitoring text messages to and from a client device associated with a user; sending an opt-in message to the client device; receiving a confirmation of the opt-in message from the client device; after receiving the confirmation of the opt-in message and before instructing a text message carrier, sending to the client device an activation message including information for signing up on a monitoring website for monitoring of text messages to and from the client device, wherein the information for signing up includes account authorization details; receiving at the message monitoring service from the website confirmation that the monitoring request is legitimate and legal and that the client device has been set up for monitoring of messages to and from the client device, wherein the website confirmation is based in part on the information from the activation message; and instructing the text message carrier server system to copy each message sent to or from the client device.
-
-
22. A client device, for initiating text message monitoring, comprising:
-
at least one processor; and memory storing one or more programs to be executed by the at least one processor; the one or more programs comprising instructions for; receiving an opt-in text message requiring confirmation of a monitoring request; responding to the opt-in message by confirming the monitoring request; after responding to the opt-in message, receiving activation text message including information for signing up on a monitoring website for monitoring of text messages to and from the client device, wherein the information for signing up includes account authorization details; and visiting the monitoring website and signing up for monitoring of text messages to and from the client device according to the information received in the activation message.
-
-
23. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing one or more programs configured for execution by a text message carrier server system, the one or more programs comprising instructions for:
-
receiving a text message from a sender addressed to a receiver; sending the text message to the receiver; checking by the text message carrier system, a monitor list for the receiver or the sender, wherein the monitor list is a list of subscribed users; after sending the text message to the receiver, when the receiver or the sender is on the monitor list, sending from the text message carrier system a copy of the sent text message content to a remote text message monitoring system distinct from the text message carrier system, wherein the remote text messaging monitoring system is configured to provide access to the copy of the sent text message content by an authorized third party; and sending periodic reminder messages to the sender stating that the sender'"'"'s messages are being copied.
-
-
24. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing one or more programs configured for execution by a computer system, the one or more programs comprising instructions for:
-
receiving at a message monitoring service a request for monitoring text messages to and from a client device associated with a user; sending an opt-in message to the client device; receiving a confirmation of the opt-in message from the client device; after receiving the confirmation of the opt-in message and before instructing a text message carrier, sending to the client device an activation message including information for signing up on a monitoring website for monitoring of text messages to and from the client device, wherein the information for signing up includes account authorization details; receiving at the message monitoring service from the website confirmation that the monitoring request is legitimate and legal and that the client device has been set up for monitoring of messages to and from the client device, wherein the website confirmation is based in part on the information from the activation message; and instructing the text message carrier server system to copy each message sent to or from the client device.
-
-
25. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing one or more programs configured for execution by a client device, the one or more programs comprising instructions for:
-
receiving on the client device, an opt-in text message requiring confirmation of a monitoring request; from the client device, responding to the opt-in message by confirming the monitoring request; after responding to the opt-in message, receiving on the client device, activation text message including information for signing up on a monitoring website for monitoring of text messages to and from the client device, wherein the information for signing up includes account authorization details; and visiting the monitoring website and signing up for monitoring of text messages to and from the client device according to the information received in the activation message.
-
Specification