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System and method for controlling distribution of network communications

  • US 7,634,545 B2
  • Filed: 09/28/2007
  • Issued: 12/15/2009
  • Est. Priority Date: 02/26/2001
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A method for controlling distribution of electronic mail messages communicated from a sender to a receiver via a communications network, the method comprising the steps of:

  • (a) sampling electronic mail messages received from the sender to determine a level of electronic mail messages having a certain characteristic;

    (b) determining a priority value for the sender as a function of the level;

    (c) identifying a processing rule for the priority value;

    (d) receiving a new electronic mail message from the sender and assigning the priority value to the new electronic mail message; and

    (e) delivering the new electronic mail message to the receiver in accordance with the processing rule, wherein the delivering in accordance with the processing rule comprises controlling allocation of network connections for delivery of electronic mail messages to cause other electronic mail messages having higher priority values than the new electronic mail message to be delivered before delivery of the new electronic mail message.

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