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WO1999064972A2 - Etablissement des priorites pour courrier electronique - Google Patents

Etablissement des priorites pour courrier electronique Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1999064972A2
WO1999064972A2 PCT/IL1999/000298 IL9900298W WO9964972A2 WO 1999064972 A2 WO1999064972 A2 WO 1999064972A2 IL 9900298 W IL9900298 W IL 9900298W WO 9964972 A2 WO9964972 A2 WO 9964972A2
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
electronic mail
category
recipient
message
sender
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IL1999/000298
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO1999064972A3 (fr
Inventor
Hana Ziv
Shlomo Zeitman
Aviram Zilberman
Jack Blum
Shmuel Merhav
Original Assignee
Communet.Com Ltd.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Communet.Com Ltd. filed Critical Communet.Com Ltd.
Priority to AU41617/99A priority Critical patent/AU4161799A/en
Publication of WO1999064972A2 publication Critical patent/WO1999064972A2/fr
Publication of WO1999064972A3 publication Critical patent/WO1999064972A3/fr

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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • G06Q10/00—Administration; Management
    • G06Q10/10—Office automation; Time management
    • G06Q10/107—Computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing]

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to network-based electronic mail systems generally and particularly to methods and apparatus for prioritizing electronic mail.
  • Network-based electronic mail (e-mail) systems are well known.
  • a sender composes an e-mail message at a computer terminal using e-mail software, addresses the e-mail message to a recipient using the recipient's e-mail address that is known to the sender, and sends the e-mail message via a communications network, such as the Internet, to which the computer terminal is connected.
  • the e-mail message is then routed over the communications network using known protocols and ultimately received at a server which is also connected to the communications network and to which the recipient may connect using the recipient's computer terminal.
  • the recipient retrieves the e-mail message from the server using e-mail software.
  • Known e-mail software allows e-mail messages to be listed and sorted in various ways, such as by date received and by sender or recipient.
  • E-mail systems that allow for e-mail messages to be prioritized generally require that the sender indicate a specific priority and/or that the recipient configure the recipient's e-mail software to recognize words in incoming e- mail messages and/or apply other criteria to them.
  • the primary disadvantage of known e-mail prioritization schemes is that they are given to abuse by senders and may result in incorrectly prioritized e-mail messages.
  • Eudora is an electronic mail client which has a "filters" function which enables a recipient to define a subset of electronic mail messages automatically identifiable by the Eudora system and to define an action to be carried out automatically on this subset, such as making all messages in that subset a certain priority.
  • Unix e-mail systems such as Pine are capable of categorizing electronic mail messages by keywords appearing in the message itself rather than scanning only those keywords appearing in the message-defining fields such as the Subject field.
  • Microsoft's Outlook electronic mail system has an automatic confirmation feature which ⁇ automatically confirms downloading of electronic mail messages.
  • Hotmail electronic mail system incorporates an advertisement of its services into each electronic mail message sent by a user, e.g. to a non-user.
  • the present invention seeks to provide an improved network-based electronic mail system where a sender categorizes an e-mail message bound for a recipient based upon predefined categories set by the recipient and provided to the sender. Categorized e-mail messages are received by the recipient and are prioritized according to a priority level also predefined by the recipient for each category. The category priority levels are not provided to the sender, minimizing potential abuse by incorrect categorization.
  • a method for prioritizing electronic mail including defining a category set associated with at least one recipient, the category set including at least one category, setting a priority level for any of the categories in the category set, providing to at least one sender, upon the sender providing an identification of the recipient, the category set for selection of a category therefrom, selecting a category from the category set for association with an electronic mail message, transmitting the electronic mail message together with the selected category to the recipient, and providing the electronic mail message to the recipient in accordance with the priority level corresponding to the selected category, thereby prioritizing.
  • the defining step includes defining the category set to include at least one category defined by the recipient.
  • the defining step includes defining the category set to include at least one category not defined by the recipient.
  • the setting a priority level step includes setting a default priority level for any of the categories in the category set.
  • the providing - category set step includes transmitting the category set via a communications network.
  • the transmitting step includes transmitting via a communications network.
  • an electronic mail prioritization system including a communications network, a server connected to the communications network and including a category set associated with at least one recipient, the category set including at least one category, sender apparatus including electronic mail sender apparatus operative to send an electronic mail message via the communications network to the recipient, category set request apparatus operative to identify the recipient of the electronic mail message and retrieve from the server via the communications network the category set associated with the recipient, and category selection apparatus operative in response to a category selection to integrate the category selection with the electronic mail message, and recipient apparatus including electronic mail receiving apparatus operative to receive the electronic mail message via the communications network, and electronic mail prioritization apparatus operative to provide the electronic mail message to the recipient in accordance with a predefined priority level corresponding to the selected category.
  • an electronic mail prioritization system including a communications network, a server connected to the communications network and including a category set associated with at least one recipient, the category set including at least one category, and a priority set corresponding to the category set, the priority set including at least one priority level-category pair, sender apparatus including electronic mail sender apparatus operative to send an electronic mail message via the communications network to the recipient, category set request apparatus operative to identify the recipient of the electronic mail message and retrieve from the server via the communications network the category set associated with the recipient, and category selection apparatus operative in response to a category selection to integrate the category selection with the electronic mail message, and recipient apparatus including electronic mail receiving apparatus operative to receive the electronic mail message via the communications network, the server further includes electronic mail prioritization apparatus operative to provide the electronic mail message to the recipient in accordance with the priority level corresponding to the selected category
  • a method for sorting electronic mail including: - defining a category set associated with a recipient; providing the category set to a sender to select a category therefrom for inclusion in an electronic mail message sent by the sender; receiving the electronic mail message including the selected category; and sorting the electronic mail message responsive to the selected category.
  • the method includes: modifying an attribute of the category; and conveying an indication of the modification to the sender.
  • the category set is provided by one of: electronic communication, vocal telephonic communication, and physical transfer.
  • the method includes: defining a criterion associated with the recipient; providing the criterion to the sender; and alerting the sender responsive to an action by the sender not in accordance with the criterion.
  • a method for processing electronic communications including: defining respective category sets associated with a plurality of recipients, the sets being such as to enable the recipients to sort electronic mail responsive thereto; determining, responsive to the sets, a subset of the recipients having a common characteristic; and crediting a recipient in the subset for sending an electronic communication to another recipient in the subset.
  • a method for increasing a user-base including: receiving an electronic communication message from a non-user; reading an electronic mail address from the message; and automatically sending to the non-user a promotional message.
  • the promotional message includes an offer of a service, most preferably an offer of an electronic-mail-related service.
  • a computer program product for sorting electronic mail the program having computer-readable program instructions embodied therein, which instructions cause a computer to: define a category set associated with a recipient; provide the category set to a sender to select a category therefrom for inclusion in an electronic mail message sent by the sender; receive the electronic mail message including the selected category; and sort the electronic mail message responsive to the selected category.
  • a computer program product for processing electronic communications, the program having computer-readable program instructions embodied therein, which instructions cause a computer to: define respective category sets associated with a plurality of recipients, the sets being such as to enable the recipients to sort electronic mail responsive thereto; determine, responsive to the sets, a subset of the recipients having a common characteristic; and credit a recipient in the subset for sending an electronic communication to another recipient in the subset.
  • a computer program product for increasing a user-base, the program having computer-readable program instructions embodied therein, which instructions cause a computer to: receive an electronic mail message from a non-user; read an electronic mail address from the message; and automatically send to the non-user a promotional message.
  • the terms “sender” and “recipient” may refer to the sender or recipient of electronic mail, being a human or surrogate therefor, as well as such sender or recipient in combination with a communications terminal via which such sender or recipient is currently logged in to a communications network and with which such sender or recipient is currently identified with respect to the communications network.
  • Fig. 1 is a simplified pictorial illustration of an e-mail prioritization system constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention
  • Fig. 2 is a simplified block diagram of sender apparatus 16 of Fig. 1;
  • Fig. 3 is a simplified block diagram of recipient apparatus 18 of Fig. 1;
  • Fig. 4 is a simplified graphical illustration of a category selection screen displayed at sender apparatus 16 of Figs. 1 and 2;
  • Fig. 5 is a simplified graphical illustration of an electronic mail prioritization screen displayed at recipient apparatus 18 of Figs. 1 and 3;
  • Fig. 6 is a simplified block diagram of a electronic mail system with optional servers, the system being constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention
  • Fig. 7 is a simplified screen display of a recipient calling card constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention
  • Fig. 8 is a simplified screen display of an electronic mail envelope constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 9 is a simplified screen display of a plurality of electronic mail processing trays, the screen display being constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 10 is a state machine diagram of steps for processing electronic mail messages, constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention
  • Fig. 11 is a state machine diagram of steps in sending electronic mail messages in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • System 10 preferably includes a communications network 12, such as the Internet, with an optional server 14 connected to communications network 12.
  • Sender apparatus 16 and recipient apparatus 18 are shown typically comprising respective computer terminals 20 and 22, being any known computer terminals configured for communication via network 12, as is well known.
  • sender apparatus 16 is shown as typically including electronic mail apparatus 40 which is capable of sending electronic mail messages via communications network 12 to a recipient at recipient apparatus 18 using methods and techniques known in the art, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • Sender apparatus 16 also typically includes "category set request apparatus" 42 for identifying a recipient of an outgoing electronic mail message and retrieving from server 14, preferably via communications network 12, a category set associated with the recipient.
  • Sender apparatus 16 also typically includes category selection apparatus 44, for allowing a sender to select a category from the category set and integrating the category selection with the electronic mail message.
  • recipient apparatus 18 is shown as typically including electronic mail apparatus 50, which is capable of receiving electronic mail messages and categories sent by sender apparatus 16 via communications network 12 using methods and techniques known in the art.
  • Recipient apparatus 18 also typically includes electronic mail prioritization apparatus 52 for providing electronic mail messages to a recipient in accordance with a predefined priority level corresponding to the selected category associated with each received electronic mail message.
  • sender apparatus 16 may be concurrently configured to operate as recipient apparatus 18, and vice versa.
  • a category set 24 is defined, typically at recipient apparatus 18, by a potential electronic mail recipient, such as a recipient identified as
  • Category set 24 preferably includes one or more categories 26, such as “meetings” and “tennis,” representing groupings into which the recipient wishes incoming electronic mail to be arranged.
  • Category- set 24 may also include one or more "dummy" categories, such as "dining,” whose purpose is to prevent senders of electronic mail from inferring the relative importance of the categories in category set 24 and incorrectly categorizing electronic mail according to which category the sender infers is most important.
  • a priority set 28 is preferably defined, typically by the recipient, including one or more priority levels 29, with each priority level 29 corresponding to a category 26 in category set 24.
  • the priority levels may be represented numerically or otherwise, as is known.
  • a default priority level may be assigned to categories for which no priority level is set.
  • Electronic mail prioritization apparatus 52 may be used to define category set 24 and priority set 28, or sets 24 and 28 may alternatively be defined using known database or word processing software in a format that is readable by electronic mail prioritization apparatus 52.
  • category set 24 can comprise any set of discrete entries, and is not restricted to subject topics associated with an e-mail.
  • "importance" and “complexity” indicators are described by way of example, but are not intended to be limited to indicating importance and complexity levels, per se, of an e-mail. Instead, these indicators generally relate to quantifiable qualities associated with an e-mail, and may, alternatively or additionally, include file size, number of attachments, size of "cc:" list, etc.
  • category set 24 is sent to server 14, shown via a transmission 30, typically via communications network 12 using electronic mail apparatus 50 or other using other known transmission means. Additionally, priority set 28 may also be sent to server 14 in the same manner. Server 14 typically maintains category set 24 and priority set 28 using known storage means. It will be appreciated that server 14 is utilized in some preferred embodiments of the present invention, such as that shown in Fig. 1, but that it is not a necessary component of the present invention. For example, category set 24, which is described as being maintained in server 14 could also be maintained in recipient apparatus 18.
  • a sender typically composes at sender apparatus 16 an electronic mail message using known means such as electronic mail apparatus 40.
  • Category set request apparatus 42 preferably identifies the intended recipient of the message from the destination address of the message provided by the sender, either while the message is being composed or when the sender initiates a request to transmit the message.
  • Category set request apparatus 42 typically identifies server 14 from the recipient's address using known protocols and requests the recipient's category set 24 from server 14, shown via ⁇ transmission 32.
  • Server 14 then provides category set 24 to sender apparatus 16 using known protocols, such as FTP or HTTP, shown via a transmission 34.
  • the address of server 14 may already be known to category set request apparatus 42, and no address resolution is required. It is appreciated that the server from which category set request apparatus 42 requests and receives the category set is optional, and need not be the server to which the message is sent.
  • category selection apparatus 44 presents category set 24 to the sender, typically via a display of computer terminal 22 using known means.
  • the sender selects a category from category set, 24 which category selection apparatus 44 subsequently appends to the message, or otherwise integrates with the message, in a manner that is preferably acceptable to or in accordance with known electronic mail protocols.
  • the category may be included within the subject field of the message header or within the body of the message, or otherwise appended to or integrated with the message using any of a variety of well-known methods and in a manner that does not violate known electronic mail protocols.
  • a prefix or other means may be employed to distinguish the category from the body of the text itself.
  • Electronic mail apparatus 40 then sends the message to server 14, shown via a transmission 36.
  • server 14 maintains both a recipient's category set 24 and priority set 28.
  • Electronic mail messages received at server 14 and bound for the recipient are arranged by category and forwarded to the recipient at recipient apparatus 18 in an order corresponding to the category's priority, shown via a transmission 38.
  • Messages received with no category are forwarded to the recipient corresponding to a predetermined or default priority, such as the lowest priority in priority set 28.
  • server 14 maintains only a recipient's category set 24, while recipient apparatus 18 maintains priority set 28.
  • Electronic mail messages received at server 14 and bound for the recipient are forwarded to the recipient at recipient apparatus 18 in the order received.
  • e-mail messages are sent directly to the recipient.
  • Messages received at recipient apparatus 18 are subsequently arranged by category and presented to the recipient by electronic mail apparatus 50 in an order corresponding to the category's priority.
  • Messages received with no category are presented to- the recipient in an order corresponding to a predetermined or default priority, such as the lowest priority in priority set 28.
  • Fig. 4 is a simplified graphical illustration of a category selection screen displayed at sender apparatus 16 of Figs.
  • An electronic mail composition interface 60 of electronic mail apparatus 40 is shown comprising a "to" field 62, into which a recipient's e-mail address is entered. Either upon entering an address into "to" field 62, or upon pressing a send button 64, a category selection interface 66 of category selection apparatus 44 preferably appears, listing the categories received by category set request apparatus 42, as described hereinabove. A category may then be selected and incorporated into the message as described hereinabove.
  • FIG. 5 is a simplified graphical illustration of an electronic mail prioritization screen displayed at recipient apparatus 18 of Figs. 1 and 3, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • An electronic mail new message interface 70 of electronic mail apparatus 50 is shown with several received messages 72 having been sorted by electronic mail prioritization apparatus 52 and displayed in order of priority.
  • Fig. 6 is a simplified block diagram of an electronic mail system, constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • the system of Fig. 6 includes a handshaking, multi-tray client 100 which may interface with a network 120 over which electronic mail is sent, such as the Internet, via a conventional electronic service provider 110 such as a conventional ISP (Internet Service Provider).
  • the client may perform at least one. and preferably both of the motion-between- virtual-tray and sending-electronic-mail functions described below with reference to Figs. 10 and 11 respectively.
  • a router 140 interfacing with the network 120 via an ISP backbone 130 is operative to transmit "virtual calling cards," profiling each user's electronic mail receiving preferences, from a calling card database 160 comprising individual users' calling cards.
  • a sample calling card is illustrated in Fig. 7.
  • the backbone 130 which connects the servers to the Internet, may use frame relay protocol.
  • servers are employed to perform the handshake between ' potential senders and potential recipients by displaying a "calling card” of potential recipients to potential senders. Alternatively, however, the servers may be omitted and calling cards may, for example, be exchanged directly between users.
  • Fig. 7 is a simplified screen display of a sample recipient calling card, constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • the calling card contains information regarding the electronic mail receiving and reading habits of the user.
  • the calling card may include freely-formatted information, as in the sample, or, alternatively or additionally, may comprise a form whose fields are filled in by the owner of the calling card. For example, the user may assign the value "daily" to a parameter "reading frequency.”
  • the calling card typically comprises a content topic area 170, showing content topics which the user is in the habit of corresponding about, such as "computers,” “geography,” and "international friends.”
  • a sender is enabled to select one or more of the entries in area 170, to allow automatic sorting of the e-mail message in the receiver's computer.
  • the user can specify some of the topic areas in area 170 as "password protected," such that only senders having an appropriate password can designate the protected entry.
  • the user can password-protect a topic area such that only selected senders can see the topic name, e.g., "Surprise party for Jill.”
  • Additional options which can be designated by the user when creating or modifying his calling card, preferably include formatted fields indicating preferred formats or qualities of received e-mail.
  • the user can specify preferences for e-mails which are less than 1 Megabyte, e-mails without attachments, e-mails with subject lines, e-mails without obscene language, etc.
  • the sender automatically receives a warning message from his own machine, preferably while composing the e-mail, if he violates any of the requested message characteristics included in the receiver's calling card.
  • the user's computer automatically transmits a new copy of the calling card to all current holders of the card responsive to changes in the content of the card.
  • common topics specified by a plurality of users e.g., "fishing," are used to enable targeted marketing to those users.
  • a group of users sharing a common interest is identified, and one of the group receives a set of one or more advertisements. She is informed that she will receive a credit for forwarding the advertisement(s) to some or all of the other members of the group.
  • a "credit,” in the context of the present patent application and in the claims, means an item of value, most typically points which have a value to the possessor thereof, or money.
  • server 14 may propose to two users having a common topic that their names be revealed to each other (optionally, for a fee). This may be particularly desirable as a way to introduce sellers to interested buyers. It is generally preferable, therefore, to route via server 14 calling cards which are sent between users, so that identification of users with common interests is possible. Because the content of an e-mail message itself is preferably kept private, e-mail messages are generally routed using methods known in the art, and not necessarily via server 14.
  • calling cards are routed using standard methods, including, for example, e-mail, a corporate intranet, a telephone call and regular (non-electronic) mail.
  • Fig. 8 is a simplified screen display of an electronic mail envelope, constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • the envelope is displayed prior to displaying the electronic message or, alternatively, concurrently therewith.
  • the envelope includes information regarding time characteristics and other characteristics of processing which the sender is applying to the e-mail message.
  • the sender has characterized the message as having high complexity and high priority, and has requested that receipt of the e-mail be confirmed by 3/4/99, that necessary action be taken by 10/4/99, and that the e-mail be answered by 12/4/99.
  • the sender selects some of the characteristics applied to the envelope, e.g., the confirm, action, and reply dates, by moving appropriate icons onto designated areas of the screen.
  • Fig. 8 shows, for example, confirm, action, and reply "balls" which can be placed onto selected dates on a calendar.
  • these dates which are specified by the sender, are copied directly into a scheduling program on the receiver's computer when the e-mail is received. Parameters of this operation can preferably be varied by the receiver, such as options for automatic or semi-automatic copying, or copying only for mail received from a predefined list of senders (e.g., boss, family members, and those including a predetermined password on the envelope).
  • the scheduling program operating on the receiver's computer preferably generates attention messages, responsive substantially only to the sender's selection, and generally not requiring an action by the receiver.
  • the sender's post-office address and phone number may be copied into Microsoft Outlook.
  • the receiver is preferably enabled to change any of the attributes specified by the sender.
  • he may reduce the importance of a given e-mail, or change the action date associated therewith by "right-clicking" on the icon representing the message and selecting an appropriate option displayed responsive to the right-clicking.
  • the user is preferably prompted to indicate whether the attribute change should be forwarded to the sender.
  • a sender who marks all of his e-mail "High priority" will learn that the receiver often feels differently.
  • the receiver can indicate to the sender, using this facility, that he plans to take action on the e-mail one week prior to the date originally specified by the sender.
  • every message sent by a user of aspects of the present invention has appended thereto a short message offering the recipient the opportunity to obtain software, e.g., by downloading from a designated Web site, that would enable the recipient to practice the present invention.
  • a user of software as described herein receives an e-mail message that is not in accordance with the present invention (e.g., it does not have a calling card)
  • the user's computer automatically sends a reply e-mail stating, for example, "Dear Sender, in order to increase the quality of our electronic communications, why don't you download free software from www.e-nvelopes.com.”
  • This latter option a first party automatically sending an offer to a second party responsive to an electronic communication generated by the second party- can be used according to some embodiments of the present invention as a general-purpose means for generating an increased user-base, either in conjunction with or in the absence of other features described in the present application.
  • Fig. 9 is a simplified screen display of a plurality of electronic mail processing trays, the screen display being constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • the trays typically serve as means for placing each one of multiple pieces of e-mail into different categories, responsive to the user's next appropriate action with respect- to the various e-mails.
  • the trays in the illustrated embodiments are a "confirm receipt” tray 200, a "read” tray 210, a "respond” tray 220, an "act” tray 230, and a “follow-up” tray 240.
  • These trays are shown by way of example, and it will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that other trays may be useful for some applications.
  • the user is enabled to create new trays, delete trays, and re-arrange the trays, in order to achieve his organizational goals.
  • the user and/or his computer manages e-mail correspondence by placing each piece of received e-mail into one of the trays, e.g., confirm tray 200, and subsequently moving some or all of the e-mails, as appropriate, through the remaining trays, or, alternatively, archiving or discarding a particular e-mail.
  • an e-mail which has been received, but not yet reviewed is automatically placed into confirm tray 200.
  • a "confirm receipt" message is automatically generated and sent to the sender of a particular piece of e-mail responsive to the user's first significant interaction with the e-mail, e.g., double-clicking on the e-mail.
  • a confirmation message is preferably not sent, thereby reducing disagreements wherein the sender claims that a confirmation was received, while the receiver claims that he never saw the e-mail.
  • the user or the system can define a plurality of configurations which govern how the system will display and process the mail.
  • four exemplary configurations are shown:
  • the configurations correspond to different modes in which the user would like to work. For example, in the "panic” configuration, only the most urgent e-mails are displayed, and in the “late at night” configuration, all low-complexity e-mails are displayed, regardless of urgency. Similarly, in the "plenty of time” configuration, all e-mails are displayed. When the user first loads the e-mail program in a particular session, he typically selects a configuration responsive to his current time constraints. Alternatively or additionally, configurations are set in accordance with other criteria, such as business mail, family mail, mail with audi ⁇ attachments, mail smaller than 10 Kilobytes, mail with subject lines, or mail having a particular password.
  • a user can define mandatory processing rules, on his own behalf or on behalf of a group of recipients.
  • the system then automatically moves messages from one tray to another in accordance with the mandatory processing rules.
  • the mandatory processing rules may comprise a sequencing of the trays such that electronic messages are always moved through the plurality of trays in a defined order, without skipping any of the sequenced trays.
  • the trays are positioned in the display in accordance with their position in the sequence.
  • messages are "manually" moved from one tray to another tray, for example, by dragging the icon corresponding to a given message from to the target tray.
  • Fig. 9 additionally shows an optional "importance" slide-bar and an optional "complexity” slide-bar, which can be adjusted by the user to apply respective filters to the e- mail messages in the trays. For example, setting the importance slide-bar to "Highest importance” will show icons representing only those e-mails which are marked accordingly. Additionally, slide-bars for other attributes (not shown), such as due-date, message size, number of attachments, etc., may optionally be designated by the user.
  • Fig. 10 is a state machine diagram of steps used in processing electronic mail messages, constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. A plurality of possible execution sequences are shown in Fig. 10, for example, confirm receipt of message - ⁇ read message -> respond to message -> archive message. Alternatively, a user could confirm, read, and then trash a given message. Generally, the state machine diagram is executed in accordance with descriptions of preferred embodiments described hereinabove.
  • Fig. 1 1 is a state machine diagram of steps used in sending electronic mail messages, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. For example, a user may address and "cc:" his message to a selected set of recipients, compose the message, receive feedback about the message responsive to the various recipients' calling cards, generate envelopes (as described hereinabove), and send the message.

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Abstract

L'invention concerne un procédé de tri de courrier électronique qui consiste à définir un ensemble de catégories (24) associé à un destinataire et à fournir cet ensemble de catégories à un expéditeur. Ce dernier choisit une catégorie (26) dans l'ensemble de catégories pour inclure cette catégorie dans un message électronique qu'il envoie. Ce message et la catégorie choisie qu'il comprend sont reçus et triés en fonction de la catégorie choisie.
PCT/IL1999/000298 1998-06-07 1999-06-03 Etablissement des priorites pour courrier electronique WO1999064972A2 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU41617/99A AU4161799A (en) 1998-06-07 1999-06-03 E-mail prioritization

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
IL12479998A IL124799A0 (en) 1998-06-07 1998-06-07 E-mail prioritization
IL124799 1998-06-07

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO1999064972A2 true WO1999064972A2 (fr) 1999-12-16
WO1999064972A3 WO1999064972A3 (fr) 2000-04-13

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/IL1999/000298 WO1999064972A2 (fr) 1998-06-07 1999-06-03 Etablissement des priorites pour courrier electronique

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AU (1) AU4161799A (fr)
IL (1) IL124799A0 (fr)
WO (1) WO1999064972A2 (fr)

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US6654791B1 (en) * 2000-03-24 2003-11-25 International Business Machines Corporation Method and apparatus for processing electronic mail using an importance indicator
EP1472633A2 (fr) * 2002-01-08 2004-11-03 Sap Ag Systeme ameliore de gestion d'e-mails
US7237009B1 (en) * 2002-06-12 2007-06-26 Novell, Inc. Methods, systems and data structures for assigning categories to electronic mail
US7885948B2 (en) 2007-06-28 2011-02-08 Microsoft Corporation Automatically managing incoming communications between sender and recipient, analyzing factors, selectively applying observed behavior, performing designated action
EP3120304A4 (fr) * 2014-06-19 2017-10-18 Timyo International SAS Procédé et système d'échange d'emails
US9973452B2 (en) 2013-06-26 2018-05-15 Timyo Holdings, Inc. Method and system for exchanging emails

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WO2002087177A1 (fr) * 2001-04-20 2002-10-31 Daniel Gross Systeme de communication
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US7765262B2 (en) 2001-04-20 2010-07-27 Daniel Gross System, method and computer program for recipient controlled communications
US7941496B2 (en) 2001-04-20 2011-05-10 Daniel Gross System, method and computer program for recipient controlled communications
GB2374689A (en) * 2001-04-20 2002-10-23 Eldama Systems Ip Ltd Communications system
US8402103B2 (en) 2001-04-20 2013-03-19 Daniel Gross System, method and computer program for recipient controlled communications
US9002963B2 (en) 2001-04-20 2015-04-07 Daniel Gross System, method and computer program for recipient controlled communications
EP1472633A2 (fr) * 2002-01-08 2004-11-03 Sap Ag Systeme ameliore de gestion d'e-mails
US7237009B1 (en) * 2002-06-12 2007-06-26 Novell, Inc. Methods, systems and data structures for assigning categories to electronic mail
US7885948B2 (en) 2007-06-28 2011-02-08 Microsoft Corporation Automatically managing incoming communications between sender and recipient, analyzing factors, selectively applying observed behavior, performing designated action
US9973452B2 (en) 2013-06-26 2018-05-15 Timyo Holdings, Inc. Method and system for exchanging emails
EP3120304A4 (fr) * 2014-06-19 2017-10-18 Timyo International SAS Procédé et système d'échange d'emails

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WO1999064972A3 (fr) 2000-04-13
AU4161799A (en) 1999-12-30

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