System and method for evaluating outbound messages

• US 8,769,022 B2
• Filed: 08/31/2009
• Issued: 07/01/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Tivyan, Roman
• Primary Examiner(s): WANG, LIANG CHE A
• Application Number:
  US12/551,503
• Publication Number:
  US 20110055334A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,765 Days
• Field of Search: 709/202, 709/203, 709/206
• US Class Current: 709/206
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/212 using filtering or selective blocking
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/23 Reliability checks, e.g. acknowledgments or fault reporting
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/58 Message adaptation for wireless communication

Abstract

Methods and systems enable evaluating a message prior to transmission to one or more addressees. In an embodiment, a message element evaluator applies rules to message field elements which may include message addressee and content elements before the message is transmitted. When a message evaluation rule is violated, an alert may be presented to the user. A message evaluation rule may allow the sender to confirm sending of the message, initiate editing of the message, or cancel the message. A message evaluation rule may also prohibit the message from being sent until the message is modified to conform to the message evaluation rule. The methods and systems may be applied to a variety of message types including electronic mail, simple message system, multimedia message system, and instant message system messages.

Claims

1. A method for evaluating an outbound message comprising:

receiving an outbound message from a messaging application, wherein the message comprises a first field element and a second field element;

accessing a message evaluation rule established by an administrator and stored in a datastore, wherein;

the message evaluation rule comprises a condition relating a specific data value of the first field element to a specific data value of the second field element; and

the message evaluation rule is configured to filter outbound messages originated by each of a plurality of user devices based on the condition relating the specific data value of the first field element to the specific data value of the second field element;

applying the message evaluation rule to the first field element and second field element of the outbound message;

determining whether the condition of the message evaluation rule is satisfied;

generating a display to alert a user when the condition of the message evaluation rule is satisfied; and

sending the outbound message when the condition of the message evaluation rule is not satisfied.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first field element is a first message address element and the second field element is a second message address element.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the first field element is a message address element and the second field element is a message content element.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second field elements is a message address element.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the display further comprises a request for a response from the user selected from a group consisting of a send confirmation command, an edit message command, and a cancel message command,

wherein the method further comprises:

receiving a user response;

transmitting the outbound message when the received user response is the send confirmation command;

returning processing of the outbound message to the messaging application when the received user response is the edit message command; and

cancelling the outbound message when the received user response is the cancel message command.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the display further comprises a description of the condition satisfying the message evaluation rule.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the display further comprises an instruction requiring revision of at least one of the field elements related by the condition.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the outbound message is an email and the messaging application is an email application.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the outbound message is a simple message system message and the messaging application is a simple message system application.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the outbound message is an instant message and the messaging application is an instant message system application.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the outbound message is a multimedia message system message and the messaging application is a multimedia message system application.

45. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating a second display to alert a managing user in response to determining that the condition of the message evaluation rule is satisfied.

46. The method of claim 1, further comprising prohibiting sending the outbound message in response to determining that the condition of the message evaluation rule is satisfied.

12. A computing device, comprising:

a memory having stored therein a message evaluation rule established by an administrator, wherein;

the message evaluation rule comprises a condition relating a specific data value of a first field element to a specific data value of a second field element; and

the message evaluation rule is configured to filter outbound messages originated by each of a plurality of user devices based on the condition relating the specific data value the first field element to the specific data value of the second field element; and

a processor coupled to the memory, wherein the processor is configured with a messaging application and with processor-executable instructions to perform operations comprising;

receiving an outbound message from the messaging application, wherein the outbound message comprises a plurality of field elements including the first field element and the second field element;

applying the message evaluation rule to the first field element and second field element of the outbound message;

determining whether the condition of the message evaluation rule is satisfied;

generating a display to alert a user in response to determining that the condition of the message evaluation rule is satisfied; and

sending the outbound message in response to determining that the condition of the message evaluation rule is not satisfied.

13. The computing device of claim 12, wherein the first field element is a message address element and the second field element is a message address element.

14. The computing device of claim 12, wherein the first field element is a message address element and the second field element is a message content element.

15. The computing device of claim 12, wherein at least one of the first and second field elements is a message address element.

16. The computing device of claim 12, wherein the display further comprises a request for a response from the user selected from a group consisting of a send confirmation command, an edit message command, and a cancel message command,

wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform further operations comprising:

receiving a user response;

transmitting the outbound message when the received user response is the send confirmation command;

returning processing of the outbound message to the messaging application when the received user response is the edit message command; and

cancelling the outbound message when the received user response is the cancel message command.

17. The computing device of claim 12, wherein the display further comprises a description of the condition satisfying the message evaluation rule.

18. The computing device of claim 17, wherein the display further comprises an instruction requiring revision of at least one of the field elements related by the condition.

19. The computing device of claim 12, wherein the outbound message is an email and the messaging application is an email application.

20. The computing device of claim 12, wherein the outbound message is a simple message system message and the messaging application is a simple message system application.

21. The computing device of claim 12, wherein the outbound message is an instant message and the messaging application is an instant message system application.

22. The computing device of claim 12, wherein the outbound message is a multimedia message system message and the messaging application is a multimedia message system application.

47. The computing device of claim 12, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising:

generating a second display to alert a managing user in response to determining that the condition of the message evaluation rule is satisfied.

48. The computing device of claim 12, wherein the processor is configured with processor-executable instructions to perform operations further comprising:

prohibiting sending the outbound message in response to determining that the condition of the message evaluation rule is satisfied.

23. A computing device, comprising:

means for storing a message evaluation rule established by an administrator, wherein;

the message evaluation rule comprises a condition relating a specific data value of a first field element to a specific data value of a second field element; and

the message evaluation rule is configured to filter outbound messages originated by each of a plurality of user devices based on the condition relating the specific data value of the first field element to the specific data value of the second field element;

means for receiving an outbound message from a messaging application, wherein the outbound message comprises a plurality of field elements including the first field element and the second field element;

means for applying the message evaluation rule to the first field element and second field element of the outbound message;

means for determining whether the condition of the message evaluation rule is satisfied;

means for generating a display to alert a user in response to determining that the condition of the message evaluation rule is satisfied; and

means for sending the outbound message in response to determining that the condition of the message evaluation rule is not satisfied.

24. The computing device of claim 23, wherein the first field element is a message address element and the second field element is a message address element.

25. The computing device of claim 23, wherein the first field element is a message address element and the second field element is a message content element.

26. The computing device of claim 23, wherein at least one of the first and second field elements is a message address element.

27. The computing device of claim 23, wherein the means for generating a display to alert a user in response to determining that the condition of the message evaluation rule is satisfied further comprises:

means for requesting a response from the user selected from the group consisting of a confirmation command, an edit message command, and a cancel message command,

wherein the computing device further comprises;

means for receiving a user response;

means for transmitting the outbound message when the received user response is the send confirmation command;

means for returning processing of the outbound message to the messaging application when the received user response is the edit message command; and

means for cancelling the outbound message when the response is the cancel message command.

28. The computing device of claim 23, wherein the means for generating a display to alert a user when the condition of the message evaluation rule is satisfied further comprises means for generating a display including a description of the condition satisfying the rule.

29. The computing device of claim 28, wherein the means for generating a display to alert a user in response to determining that the condition of the message evaluation rule is satisfied further comprises means for generating an instruction requiring revision of at least one of the field elements related by the condition.

30. The computing device of claim 23, wherein the outbound message is an email and the messaging application is an email client.

31. The computing device of claim 23, wherein the outbound message is a simple message system message and the messaging application is a simple message system application.

32. The computing device of claim 23, wherein the outbound message is an instant message and the messaging application is an instant message system application.

33. The computing device of claim 23, wherein the outbound message is a multimedia message system message and the messaging application is a multimedia message system application.

49. The computing device of claim 23, further comprising means for generating a second display to alert a managing user in response to determining that the condition of the message evaluation rule is satisfied.

50. The computing device of claim 23, further comprising means for prohibiting sending the outbound message in response to determining that the condition of the message evaluation rule is satisfied.

34. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon processor-executable instructions configured to cause a processor to perform operations comprising:

storing a message evaluation rule established by an administrator, wherein;

the message evaluation rule comprises a condition relating a specific data value of a first field element to a specific data value of a second field element; and

the message evaluation rule is configured to filter outbound messages originated by each of a plurality of user devices based on the condition relating the specific data value of the first field element to the specific data value of the second field element;

receiving an outbound message from a messaging application wherein the outbound message comprises a plurality of field elements including the first field element and second field element;

applying the message evaluation rule to the first field element and second field element of the outbound message;

determining whether the condition of the message evaluation rule is satisfied;

generating a display to alert a user in response to determining that the condition of the message evaluation rule is satisfied; and

sending the outbound message in response to determining that the condition of the message evaluation rule is not satisfied.

35. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 34, wherein the first field element is a message address element and the second field element is a message address element.

36. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 34, wherein the first field element is a message address element and the second field element is a message content element.

37. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 34, wherein at least one of the first and second field elements is a message address element.

38. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 34, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause the processor to perform operations further comprising:

requesting a response from the user selected from the group consisting of a send confirmation command, an edit message command, and a cancel message command;

receiving a user response;

transmitting the message when the received user response is the send confirmation command;

returning processing of the outbound message to the messaging application when the received user response is the edit message command; and

cancelling the outbound message when the received user response is the cancel message command.

39. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 34, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause the processor to perform operations further comprising generating a description of the condition satisfying the message evaluation rule.

40. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 39, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause the processor to perform operations further comprising generating an instruction requiring revision of at least one of the field elements related by the condition.

41. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 34, wherein the outbound message is an email and the messaging application is an email client.

42. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 34, wherein the outbound message is a simple message system message and the messaging application is a simple message system application.

43. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 34, wherein the outbound message is an instant message and the messaging application is an instant message system application.

44. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 34, wherein the outbound message is a multimedia message system message and the messaging application is a multimedia message system application.

51. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 34, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause the processor to perform operations further comprising:

generating a second display to alert a managing user in response to determining that the condition of the message evaluation rule is satisfied.

52. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 34, wherein the stored processor-executable instructions are configured to cause the processor to perform operation further comprising:

prohibiting sending the outbound message in response to determining that the condition of the message evaluation rule is satisfied.

53. A method for evaluating an outbound message comprising:

receiving the outbound message from a messaging application, wherein the outbound message comprises field elements;

accessing a message evaluation rule stored in a datastore, wherein the message evaluation rule comprises a condition selected from the group consisting of;

determining whether an intended recipient address matches any of a list of prohibited recipients;

determining whether a trademark or company name is used;

determining whether any of improper language and grammar appears in the body of the outbound message if the intended recipient address matches any of a list of previously identified recipient addresses;

determining whether a multimedia file is attached to the outbound message if the intended recipient address matches any of a list of previously identified recipient addresses;

determining whether any of a plurality of intended recipient addresses are previously identified as being mutually exclusive;

determining whether a number of intended recipient addresses exceeds a predetermined limit;

determining whether any of a plurality of intended recipient address domains are previously identified as being mutually exclusive;

determining whether any of a plurality of intended recipient addresses are previously identified as being prohibited from being sent from an originating user address; and

determining whether the body of the message contains mutually exclusive references;

applying the message evaluation rule to at least the first field element and second field element;

determining whether the condition of the message evaluation rule is satisfied;

generating a display to alert a user in response to determining that the condition of the message evaluation rule is satisfied; and

sending the outbound message in response to determining that the condition of the message evaluation rule is not satisfied.

54. A computing device, comprising:

a memory having stored therein a message evaluation rule that comprises a condition selected from the group consisting of;

determining whether an intended recipient address matches any of a list of prohibited recipients;

determining whether a trademark or company name is used;

determining whether any of improper language and grammar appears in the body of the outbound message if the intended recipient address matches any of a list of previously identified recipient addresses;

determining whether a multimedia file is attached to the outbound message if the intended recipient address matches any of a list of previously identified recipient addresses;

determining whether any of a plurality of intended recipient addresses are previously identified as being mutually exclusive;

determining whether a number of intended recipient addresses exceeds a predetermined limit;

determining whether any of a plurality of intended recipient address domains are previously identified as being mutually exclusive;

determining whether any of a plurality of intended recipient addresses are previously identified as being prohibited from being sent from an originating user address; and

determining whether the body of the message contains mutually exclusive references; and

a processor coupled to the memory, wherein the processor is configured with a messaging application and with processor-executable instructions to perform operations comprising;

receiving an outbound message from the messaging application, wherein the message comprises field elements;

accessing the message evaluation rule;

applying the message evaluation rule to at least the first field element and second field element;

determining whether the condition of the message evaluation rule is satisfied;

generating a display to alert a user in response to determining that the condition of the message evaluation rule is satisfied; and

sending the outbound message in response to determining that the condition of the message evaluation rule is not satisfied.

55. A method for evaluating an outbound message comprising:

means for storing a message evaluation rule, wherein the message evaluation rule comprises a condition selected from the group consisting of;

determining whether an intended recipient address matches any of a list of prohibited recipients;

determining whether a trademark or company name is used;

determining whether any of improper language and grammar appears in the body of the outbound message if the intended recipient address matches any of a list of previously identified recipient addresses;

determining whether a multimedia file is attached to the outbound message if the intended recipient address matches any of a list of previously identified recipient addresses;

determining whether any of a plurality of intended recipient addresses are previously identified as being mutually exclusive;

determining whether a number of intended recipient addresses exceeds a predetermined limit;

determining whether any of a plurality of intended recipient address domains are previously identified as being mutually exclusive;

determining whether any of a plurality of intended recipient addresses are previously identified as being prohibited from being sent from an originating user address; and

determining whether the body of the message contains mutually exclusive references;

means for receiving an outbound message from a messaging application, wherein the outbound message comprises a plurality of field elements including the first field element and the second field element;

means for accessing the message evaluation rule;

means for applying the message evaluation rule to at least the first field element and second field element of the outbound message;

means for determining whether the condition of the message evaluation rule is satisfied;

means for generating a display to alert a user in response to determining that the condition of the message evaluation rule is satisfied; and

means for sending the outbound message in response to determining that the condition of the message evaluation rule is not satisfied.

56. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon processor-executable instructions configured to cause a processor to perform operations comprising:

receiving an outbound message from a messaging application, wherein the message comprises field elements;

accessing a message evaluation rule stored in a datastore, wherein the message evaluation rule comprises a condition selected from the group consisting of;

determining whether an intended recipient address matches any of a list of prohibited recipients;

determining whether a trademark or company name is used;

determining whether any of improper language and grammar appears in the body of the outbound message if the intended recipient address matches any of a list of previously identified recipient addresses;

determining whether a multimedia file is attached to the outbound message if the intended recipient address matches any of a list of previously identified recipient addresses;

determining whether any of a plurality of intended recipient addresses are previously identified as being mutually exclusive;

determining whether a number of intended recipient addresses exceeds a predetermined limit;

determining whether any of a plurality of intended recipient address domains are previously identified as being mutually exclusive;

determining whether any of a plurality of intended recipient addresses are previously identified as being prohibited from being sent from an originating user address; and

determining whether the body of the message contains mutually exclusive references;

applying the message evaluation rule to at least the first field element and second field element;

determining whether the condition of the message evaluation rule is satisfied;

generating a display to alert a user in response to determining that the condition of the message evaluation rule is satisfied; and

sending the outbound message in response to determining that the condition of the message evaluation rule is not satisfied.