Offensive message interceptor for computers

• US 5,796,948 A
• Filed: 11/12/1996
• Issued: 08/18/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 11/12/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Barracuda Networks Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Elliot D. Cohen
• Inventors: Cohen, Elliot D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Lall, Parshotam S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): VU, VIET DUY
• Application Number:
  US08/745,650
• Time in Patent Office: 644 Days
• Field of Search: 395/700.03, 395/187.01, 395/752, 395/759, 395/200.32, 395/200.23, 395/200.34, 395/200.35, 395/200.36, 395/200.37, 395/200.47 , 395/200.53, 395/200.54, 395/200.55, 370/912
• US Class Current: 709/206
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/107 Computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/212 using filtering or selective blocking

Abstract

A network profanity interception that is installed on computer networks, such as a network mail system, for screening outgoing communication files for profane or offensive language according to a set of pre-defined criteria. Marking profane language for user identification, it places intercepted messages into users'"'"' inboxes along with explanation of undeliverable message status; flags return of intercepted messages; and provides for editing of profane language as identified so that intercepted messages can be re-sent.

Claims

1. An automated network offensive message interception method comprising the steps of:

(a) incorporating a network profanity interception technology "NPIT" software means onto an existing network computer system said NPIT software means having preprogrammed definitions and being operative to recognize forms of profanity included by any message creator, said profanity being network defined and within accepted parameters of said network use and selected from the group consisting of vulgar language, hateful, threatening and defamatory speech, derogatory labels and terms of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation and sexually degrading, obscene, lewd or pornographic messages in all natural and artificial languages;

(b) screening electronic messages transported through said network computer system for offensive messages for one of said forms of profanity;

(c) activating a flagging means for marking offensive messages screened by said NPIT software means; and

(d) preventing the transmission of said offensive messages by returning said messages to the creator via a method that is fully automated and therefore does not involve human intervention.

2. The method according to claim 1 wherein said step of incorporating includes positioning said NIPT software means onto front-end or back-end or routing computers in combination with said network system.

3. The method according to claim 1 wherein said network system includes local area networks, wide area networks, and internetworks.

4. The method according to claim 1 wherein step (b) includes identifying said offensive language.

5. The method according to claim 4 wherein said identifying includes bracketing, highlighting, or listing.

6. The method according to claim 1 wherein said flagging means of step (c) includes a means for explaining undeliverable status of said offensive message.

7. The method according to claim 1 including a means for editing said offensive message.

8. The method according to claim 1 including a means for re-sending a message.

9. An automated network offensive message interception method comprising the steps of:

(a) incorporating a network profanity interception technology "NPIT" software means onto an existing network computer system said NPIT software means having preprogrammed definitions and being operative to recognize forms of profanity included by any message creator, said profanity being network defined and within accepted parameters of said network use and selected from the group consisting of vulgar language, hateful, threatening and defamatory speech, derogatory labels and terms of race, religion, gender, sexual orientation and sexually degrading, obscene, lewd or pornographic messages in all natural and artificial languages;

(b) screening electronic messages for one of the said forms of profanity transported through said network computer system for offensive messages;

(c) identifying screened offensive messages;

(d) activating a flagging means for marking screened offensive messages; and

(e) preventing the transmission of said offensive messages by returning said messages to the creator via a method that is fully automated and therefore does not involve human intervention.

10. The method according to claim 9 wherein said step of incorporating includes installing said NIPT software means onto front-end or back-end or routing computers in combination with said network system.

11. The method according to claim 9 wherein said step (c) includes a step for bracketing, highlighting, or listing identified screened offensive messages.

12. The method according to claim 9 wherein said step (d) includes a step for explaining undeliverable status of a screened offensive message.