Method and system for message pacing
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A system for managing electronic messages comprising:
- an electronic message source comprising an e-mail server;
a data storage system for storing message management information, the message management information comprising last contact information for a recipient indicating when the recipient was last contacted and a message gap; and
a pacing system coupled to the electronic message source;
the electronic message source configured to;
send a request to the pacing system to check whether the electronic message source can send a new e-mail to a recipient based on the message management information;
if the new e-mail can be sent to the recipient based on the checking, send the new e-mail to the recipient and inform the pacing system that the new e-mail has been sent;
if the new e-mail is not sent based on the checking, implement a pacing routine to determine when to try again;
the pacing system configured to;
receive the request from the electronic message source;
determine whether the new e-mail should be sent to the recipient based on the last contact information for the recipient and the message gap;
return a result of the determining to the electronic message source; and
update the last contact information for the recipient in response to an indication from the electronic message source that the new e-mail was sent.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for managing message volume and timing, which permits first and second messages to be spaced apart over time, with the pacing controlled in part by a characteristic of the second message. The system sends the first message to an intended recipient. The system determines a separation based on a pacing algorithm and sends the second message to the recipient according to the separation.
67 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A system for managing electronic messages comprising:
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an electronic message source comprising an e-mail server; a data storage system for storing message management information, the message management information comprising last contact information for a recipient indicating when the recipient was last contacted and a message gap; and a pacing system coupled to the electronic message source; the electronic message source configured to; send a request to the pacing system to check whether the electronic message source can send a new e-mail to a recipient based on the message management information; if the new e-mail can be sent to the recipient based on the checking, send the new e-mail to the recipient and inform the pacing system that the new e-mail has been sent; if the new e-mail is not sent based on the checking, implement a pacing routine to determine when to try again; the pacing system configured to; receive the request from the electronic message source; determine whether the new e-mail should be sent to the recipient based on the last contact information for the recipient and the message gap; return a result of the determining to the electronic message source; and update the last contact information for the recipient in response to an indication from the electronic message source that the new e-mail was sent. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A system for managing electronic message delivery comprising:
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an electronic message source comprising an e-mail server; a data storage system for storing message management information, the message management information comprising last contact information for a recipient indicating when the recipient was last contacted and a message gap; and a pacing system coupled to the electronic message source; the electronic message source configured to; send a request to the pacing system for the last contact information and message gap; receive the last contact information and message gap from the pacing system; determine whether a new e-mail should be sent to the recipient based on the last contact information for the recipient and the message gap; if the new e-mail can be sent to the recipient based on the checking, send the new e-mail to the recipient and inform the pacing system that the new e-mail has been sent; if the new e-mail is not sent based on the checking, implement a pacing routine to determine when to try again; the pacing system configured to; receive the request from the electronic message source; return the last contact information and message gap to the electronic message source; and update the last contact information for the recipient in response to an indication from the electronic message source that the new e-mail was sent. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A system for managing electronic message delivery comprising:
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a data storage system for storing message management information, the message management information comprising message timing information; and a pacing system coupled to the data storage system and coupled to one or more message sources over one or more electronic communication paths, the pacing system comprising a processor and a tangible, non-transitory computer readable storage medium accessible by the processor storing computer executable instructions, the pacing system configured to; receive electronic messages from the one or more message sources, each electronic message including a corresponding recipient address and content to be delivered; and store message timing information and messages to be sent to recipients; when a new electronic message arrives for a recipient; determine if the new electronic message should be delivered immediately and, if so, send the new electronic message as an e-mail to an email address for the recipient; otherwise add the new electronic message to a set of electronic messages to be sent to that recipient; and send electronic messages to the recipient from the set of electronic messages as e-mails based on the message management information such that a second electronic message sent to the recipient is spaced from a first electronic message sent to the recipient. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification