System and method for message filtering by a trusted third party

• US 7,500,096 B2
• Filed: 12/31/2002
• Issued: 03/03/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/31/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Pitney Bowes Incorporated (Böwe Systec AG)
• Original Assignee: Pitney Bowes Incorporated (Böwe Systec AG)
• Inventors: Matskevich, Pavel A., Lang, Christopher C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Brown; Christopher J
• Application Number:
  US10/248,260
• Publication Number:
  US 20040128498A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,254 Days
• Field of Search: 713/154, 713/160, 713/153, 726/10, 726/13, 726/21, 715/752
• US Class Current: 713/153
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/212 using filtering or selective blocking
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/102 Entity profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/12 Applying verification of the received information cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for data integrity or data verification H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/1458 Denial of Service

Abstract

A method and system for providing message filtering is described. In one configuration, a trusted third party system affixes an evisa to an electronic message thereby providing an indication relating to a filtering/prioritization procedure. The evisa may utilize cryptographic methods to authenticate a message and provide non-repudiation from the trusted third party.

Claims

1. A method for filtering messages using a computer comprising:

receiving an incoming message intended for a recipient at the computer along a message path through physical geographic regions to the recipient;

determining at least one filter algorithm to apply to the message by using the message path through physical geographic regions to the recipient in order to determine a required visa type, wherein the required visa type is associated with the at least one filter algorithm;

applying the at least one filter algorithm to the message;

generating an authenticated visa for the message path through physical geographic regions according to the at least one filter algorithm that may be used to identify the at least one filter algorithm that has been applied to the message and

sending the message and the authenticated visa downstream from the computer along the message path, wherein the message path downstream from the computer includes a public network.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein:

the incoming message comprises at least one explicit visa request selected from at least two available visas including an indicator identifying the requested visa.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein:

the message and an explicit visa are sent as a message package, wherein the explicit visa comprises at least one identifying character and is not inferred from a message format; and

wherein the filtering algorithm includes scanning for objectionable words.

4. The method of claim 3 further comprising:

receiving encryption instructions; and

encrypting the message according to the encryption instructions.

5. The method of claim 3 further comprising:

receiving encryption instructions; and

encrypting the message package according to the encryption instructions.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

determining the algorithm according to an explicit visa request received from a user in a secured incoming message sent through a public network, wherein the computer includes a trusted third party server.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein:

the incoming message is received separately from the visa request.

8. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

determining the at least one filter algorithm according to a routing determination.

9. The method of claim 8 further comprising:

receiving the incoming message from a user; and

prompting the user for a routing determination.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

blocking messages that lack visas.

11. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

rerouting messages that lack visas.

12. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

expediting messages that pass a visa algorithm.

13. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

receiving updated visa algorithms from a governmental entity.

14. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

providing visa authorization authentication information and wherein the visa includes a visa version identifier.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein:

the recipient country location is used to determine a required visa type associated with the at least one filter algorithm.

16. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

receiving the incoming message in encrypted form;

decrypting the incoming message;

obtaining a public key associated with the recipient;

after applying the at least one filter algorithm to the message, re-encrypting the message using the recipient public key;

attaching the visa to the message; and

sending the re-encrypted message and visa along the message path toward the recipient.

17. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

modifying the message in accordance with the filter algorithm;

attaching the visa to the modified message; and

sending the modified message and visa along the message path toward the recipient.

19. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

decrypting the incoming message;

determining if the message is further encrypted; and

canceling processing if the message is further encrypted.

20. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

charging a user for processing the incoming message including generating an authenticated visa.

18. A method for filtering messages using a trusted third party computer comprising:

receiving an incoming message intended for a recipient at the trusted third party computer along a message path through physical geographic regions to the recipient;

determining at least one filter algorithm to apply to the message using the message path through physical geographic regions to the recipient and rules provided by a governmental entity that does not operate the trusted third party computer;

applying the at least one filter algorithm to the message;

generating a cryptographically authenticated visa according to the at least one filter algorithm;

attaching the visa to the message; and

sending the message with attached visa downstream along the message path toward the recipient including through a public network.