초록 ▼

A system for eliminating unsolicited electronic mail generates and stores a user inclusion list including identification data for identifying e-mail desired by the user. Data from one or more fields of incoming electronic mail messages are compared with the identification data stored in the user inc

A system for eliminating unsolicited electronic mail generates and stores a user inclusion list including identification data for identifying e-mail desired by the user. Data from one or more fields of incoming electronic mail messages are compared with the identification data stored in the user inclusion list. If the electronic mail message data matches corresponding identification data from the user inclusion list, the e-mail message is marked with a first display code, such as "OK." If no match is detected, the system performs at least one heuristic process to determine whether the electronic mail message may be of interest to the user. If the message satisfies one or more criteria as determined by the heuristic process and is therefore of potential interest to the user, the message is marked with a second display code, such as "NEW." If the e-mail message does not satisfy any of the heuristic criteria, the e-mail message may be marked with a third display code, such as "JUNK." The processed e-mail messages are displayed to the user in a display mode corresponding to the display codes respectively assigned to the messages.

대표청구항 ▼

[ I claim:] [1.] A method for filtering electronic mail addressed to a user, comprising the steps of:storing a user inclusion list including identification data for identifying e-mail desired by the user;receiving an electronic mail message;comparing data from said received electronic mail message w

[ I claim:] [1.] A method for filtering electronic mail addressed to a user, comprising the steps of:storing a user inclusion list including identification data for identifying e-mail desired by the user;receiving an electronic mail message;comparing data from said received electronic mail message with said identification data;upon identifying a match between said electronic mail message data and said identification data, marking said electronic mail with a first display code;displaying in a first display format said electronic mail message marked with the first display code to the user;upon failing to detect a match between said electronic mail message data and said identification data, performing at least one heuristic process to determine whether said electronic mail message may be of interest to the user;upon identifying an electronic mail message of interest to the user, marking said electronic mail with a second display code;displaying said electronic mail message marked with said second display code to the user in a second display format;upon failing to identify an electronic mail message of interest to the user, marking the electronic mail message with a third display code; anddisplaying said electronic mail message marked with said third display code to the user in a third display format.