U.S. patent application number 11/063562 was filed with the patent office on 2005-06-30 for email classifier.
Invention is credited to Lowe, John C..
Application Number | 20050144245 11/063562 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34217849 |
Filed Date | 2005-06-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050144245 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Lowe, John C. |
June 30, 2005 |
Email classifier
Abstract
An email classifier gives users the ability to efficiently and
easily assign category information to email messages. The email
classifier may present a graphical window to a user interacting
with an email message. Through the graphical window, the user
enters information describing at least one category to which the
email relates. The email and its associated category information
may be archived for later access.
Inventors: |
Lowe, John C.; (Bethesda,
MD) |
Correspondence
Address: |
HARRITY & SNYDER, L.L.P.
Suite 300
11240 Waples Mill Road
Fairfax
VA
22030
US
|
Family ID: |
34217849 |
Appl. No.: |
11/063562 |
Filed: |
February 24, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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11063562 |
Feb 24, 2005 |
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10653259 |
Sep 3, 2003 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
709/206 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 29/06 20130101;
H04L 67/36 20130101; H04L 69/329 20130101; H04L 51/14 20130101;
H04L 51/34 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
709/206 |
International
Class: |
G06F 015/16 |
Claims
What is claimed:
1. A method for facilitating electronic mail ("email")
classification, the method comprising: presenting a graphical
object to a user interacting with an email message, the graphical
object configured to receive information from the user describing
at least one category to which the email relates; and storing the
email message and the at least one category associated with the
email message.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the user is a sender of the email
message.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the graphical object is presented
to the user when the email message is sent.
4. The method of claim 2, wherein the graphical object is
integrated with a window through which the user composes the email
message.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the information from the user
describing the at least one category includes multiple categories
input by the user.
6. The method of claim 1, wherein the information from the user
describing the at least one category includes a sub-category of the
at least one category.
7. The method of claim 1, further comprising: automatically
identifying a likely category to which the email relates; and
displaying a visual indication of the likely category in the
graphical object as a default category.
8. The method of claim 1, wherein storing the email message
includes: storing the email message and the at least one category
associated with the email message in a database that stores email
messages and associated categories from multiple users.
9. An electronic mail ("email") classifier comprising: a graphical
window presented to an email user when the email user attempts to
send an email message to an addressee, the graphical window being
configured to present information to the email user describing a
plurality of possible categories that may be assigned to the email
message, and receive information from the user selecting one of the
categories; and a database to store the email message and the
selected category.
10. The email classifier of claim 9, wherein the graphical window
is presented to the user when the email message is sent.
11. The email classifier of claim 10, wherein the graphical window
includes controls for composing the email message.
12. The email classifier of claim 9, wherein the graphical window
receives information from the user selecting multiple categories
that relate to the email message.
13. The email classifier of claim 9, wherein the information from
the user includes a sub-category of the category.
14. The email classifier of claim 9, further comprising:
automatically identifying a likely category to which the email
message relates; and displaying a visual indication of the likely
category in the graphical window as a default category.
15. A method comprising: presenting a list of categories that are
potentially related to an email message to a user; receiving a
selection of one or more of the categories from the user;
associating the selected one or more of the categories with the
email message; and archiving the email message with the selected
one or more categories associated with the email message.
16. The method of claim 15, wherein the user is a sender of the
email message.
17. The method of claim 16, wherein the list of categories is
presented to the user in response to the email message being
sent.
18. The method of claim 15, wherein the selection of the one or
more categories includes multiple categories selected by the
user.
19. The method of claim 15, wherein the selection of the one or
more categories includes sub-category information.
20. The method of claim 15, further comprising: automatically
identifying a likely category to which the email message relates;
and presenting the list of categories to the user with the likely
category presented as a default category.
21. The method of claim 15, wherein archiving the email message
includes: archiving the email message and the selected one or more
categories associated with the email message in a database that
stores email messages and associated categories from multiple
users.
22. The method of claim 15, wherein the list of categories is
configurable.
23. A computing device comprising: means for presenting a list of
categories that are potentially related to an email message to a
user; means for receiving a selection of one or more of the
categories from the user for the email message; and means for
archiving the email message with the categories for the email
message.
24. A computer-readable medium comprising: instructions for
presenting a graphical window to a user interacting with an email
message, the graphical window configured to receive information
from the user describing at least one category to which the email
relates; and storing the email message and the at least one
category associated with the email message.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority from and is a
continuation-in-part (CIP) of U.S. patent application, Ser. No.
10/653,259, filed Sep. 3, 2003, and entitled "SECOND PERSON REVIEW
OF EMAIL," the disclosure which is incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates generally to electronic
communications, and more particularly, to communications via
electronic mail.
[0004] B. Description of Related Art
[0005] Electronic mail (email) has become a relatively common
communication medium. Email messages generally arrive quickly
(i.e., minutes or less), unobtrusively, and are cheap. For these
reasons, email is used extensively in the modern world.
[0006] Although email is often thought of as an "informal"
communication medium, email is increasingly being used to transmit
more formal information. For example, legal and other professional
services are increasingly using email to transmit legal and
financial documents that would traditionally be sent via postal
mail or courier. Some courts, for instance, no longer accept paper
filings and instead require electronic filings. One consequence of
this juxtaposition of formal documents in a traditionally informal
communication medium is that formal documents that would normally
be reviewed by one or more persons for content and grammatical
accuracy are sent via email without the same level of review.
[0007] Additionally, past email communications are often used as
evidence in litigations. In civil litigations, for instance, the
parties involved in the litigation may be required to produce a
large number of emails relating to a particular topic or set of
topics to the opposing side. The process of reviewing and
categorizing all of the emails that may potentially need to be
produced can be a time consuming and expensive process.
[0008] Accordingly, it would be desirable to be able to archive and
organize emails such that they can be effectively retrieved (e.g.,
produced for a litigation) when needed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] One aspect of the invention is a method for facilitating
electronic mail ("email") classification. The method includes
presenting a graphical object to a user interacting with an email
message, where the graphical object is configured to receive
information from the user describing at least one category to which
the email relates. The method further includes storing the email
message and the at least one category associated with the email
message.
[0010] Another aspect of the invention is an email classifier that
includes a graphical window presented to an email user when the
email user attempts to send an email message to an addressee. The
graphical window is configured to present information to the email
user describing possible categories that may be assigned to the
email message and receive information from the user selecting one
of the categories. The email classifier further includes a database
to store the email message and the selected category.
[0011] Yet another aspect of the invention is a method that
includes presenting a list of categories that are potentially
related to an email message to a user and receiving a selection of
one or more of the categories from the user. The method further
includes associating the selected one or more of the categories
with the email message and archiving the email message with the
categories associated with the email message.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and
constitute a part of this specification, illustrate an embodiment
of the invention and, together with the description, explain the
invention. In the drawings,
[0013] FIG. 1 is an exemplary diagram of a system in which systems
and methods consistent with the principles of the invention may be
implemented;
[0014] FIG. 2 is an exemplary diagram of a client or server entity
according to an implementation consistent with the principles of
the invention;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a diagram conceptually illustrating a
computer-readable medium in one of the client entities shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating operation of an email
review tool consistent with an aspect of the invention;
[0017] FIG. 5 is diagram illustrating an exemplary graphical
interface of an email program through which a user may compose an
email message;
[0018] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary interface for
a second person review pop-up window that may be presented to a
user;
[0019] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary interface of
an "in-box" of an email program;
[0020] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary interface
presented to a reviewer that is editing an email;
[0021] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary graphical
interface of an email program consistent with an alternate aspect
of the invention;
[0022] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary graphical
interface of an email program consistent with yet another alternate
aspect of the invention;
[0023] FIG. 11 is a diagram conceptually illustrating a
computer-readable medium containing an email classifier consistent
with aspects of the invention;
[0024] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary interface for
a pop-up window that may be presented by the email classifier shown
in FIG. 11;
[0025] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary graphical
interface of an email program including an email classifier;
and
[0026] FIG. 14 is an exemplary diagram of a system illustrating
email classification consistent with the principles of the
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0027] The following detailed description of the invention refers
to the accompanying drawings. The detailed description does not
limit the invention. Instead, the scope of the invention is defined
by the appended claims and equivalents.
[0028] An email classification tool facilitates the categorization
of email messages. Users may conveniently assign categories to
email messages. The assigned categories can later be used when
retrieving or otherwise manipulating groups of stored email
messages.
Exemplary System Configuration
[0029] FIG. 1 is an exemplary diagram of a system 100 in which
systems and methods consistent with the principles of the invention
may be implemented. System 100 may include a network 140 (or other
communication link) that connects multiple computing entities, such
as clients 110, a server 120, and proprietary sub-networks (such as
a corporate network) 130. Network 140 may be the Internet, although
more generally network 140 may include a local area network (LAN),
a wide area network (WAN), a telephone network, such as the Public
Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), an intranet, or a combination of
networks. Two clients 110, a server 120, and a proprietary
sub-network 130 are illustrated in FIG. 3 for simplicity. In
practice, there may be more or fewer clients 110, servers 120, and
sub-networks 130.
[0030] Clients 110 may include client entities. An entity may be
may defined as a computing device, such as a wireless telephone, a
personal computer, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a lap top,
another type of computation or communication device, a thread or
process running on one of these devices, and/or an object
executable by one of these device. Server 120 may include a server
entity that performs network functions, such as email services.
Clients 110 and server 120 may connect to network 140 via wired,
wireless, or optical connections.
[0031] Sub-network 130 may be a network such as a corporate
network. A gateway 132 may restrict access to sub-network 130 to
authorized users. Gateways are generally known in the art and may
act as a node in system 100 that serves as an entrance to
sub-network 130. Gateway 132 may additionally act as a proxy server
and/or a firewall server to restrict access to and protect
sub-network 130. Sub-network 130 may additionally include a number
of clients 134, which may be similar to clients 110. In one
implementation, clients 134 may be personal computers that are
operated by users (e.g., employees) in sub-network 130. Clients 134
may be grouped together as a LAN.
[0032] Clients 134 may exchange email with one another and with
other devices in system 100, such as clients 110 and server 120.
Reading, managing, and composing email messages may be performed at
clients 134 using client email software. Clients 110 may include
similar (or compatible) email software. There are a number of well
known and commercially available client email software
packages.
[0033] Sub-network 130 may additionally include an email server,
such as email server 137. Email server 137 may facilitate the
sending and receiving of email messages among clients 134 or
between clients 134 and other devices in system 100, such as
clients 110. Email server 137 may, for instance, collect email sent
from clients 134. The collected email may then be forwarded toward
its final destination using a messaging protocol, such as the
Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP). SMTP is a well known protocol
for sending and receiving email. External email destined to one or
more of clients 134 may be first received at email server 137 and
then forwarded to the destination client(s) 134.
[0034] Clients 110 may also send/receive email. Server 120 may, for
example, be configured to act as an email server that clients 110
access when sending mail or when checking whether mail has been
received at server 120. In situations in which client 110 is
associated with sub-network 130, such as an employee that is
traveling or working from home, client 110 may send/receive email
by accessing email server 137 through gateway 132.
[0035] Exemplary Client/Server Architecture
[0036] FIG. 2 is an exemplary diagram of one of clients 110/134 or
servers 120/137, labeled as computing device 200. Computing device
200 may include a bus 210, a processor 220, a main memory 230, a
read only memory (ROM) 240, a storage device 250, one or more input
devices 260, one or more output devices 270, and a communication
interface 280. Bus 210 may include one or more conductors (or other
data transmission links) that permit communication among the
components of computing device 200.
[0037] Processor 220 may include any type of conventional processor
or microprocessor that interprets and executes instructions. Main
memory 230 may include a random access memory (RAM) or another type
of dynamic storage device that stores information and instructions
for execution by processor 220. ROM 240 may include a conventional
ROM device or another type of static storage device that stores
static information and instructions for use by processor 220.
Storage device 250 may include a magnetic and/or optical recording
medium and its corresponding drive.
[0038] Input device(s) 260 may include one or more conventional
mechanisms that permit a user to input information to computing
device 200, such as a keyboard, a mouse, a pen, voice recognition
and/or biometric mechanisms, etc. Output device(s) 270 may include
one or more conventional mechanisms that output information to the
user, including, but not limited to, a display, a printer, or a
speaker. Communication interface 280 may include any
transceiver-like mechanism that enables computing device 200 to
communicate with other devices and/or systems.
[0039] As will be described in detail below, clients 110 and 134,
consistent with the principles of the invention, perform certain
email-related operations. Clients 110 may perform these operations
in response to processor 220 executing software instructions
contained in a computer-readable medium, such as memory 230.
Computer-readable media may include, but are not limited to, one or
more physical or logical memory devices and/or carrier waves.
[0040] FIG. 3 is a diagram conceptually illustrating a portion of a
computer-readable medium, such as memory 230, in one of clients
110/134. Memory 230 may include an email program 335 and an email
review tool 336. Email program 335 may include conventional email
software that is used to send and receive email. Email review tool
336 may assist users of clients 110/134 in using email program 335
in a manner consistent with aspects of the invention for
facilitating second person review of email. Email review tool 336
may be implemented as an "add-in" module to email program 335, it
may be integrated with email program 335, or it may be implemented
as a separate program that monitors the operation of email program
335 and intercepts input/output information flows from email
program 335.
[0041] The software instructions that define email program 335 and
email review tool 336 may be read into memory 230 from another
computer-readable medium, such as data storage device 250, or from
another device via communication interface 280. Alternatively,
custom circuitry may be used in place of or in combination with
software instructions to implement processes consistent with the
present invention. Thus, implementations consistent with the
principles of the invention are not limited to any specific
combination of circuitry and software.
Operation of Email Review Tool
[0042] Email review tool 336, as described below, provides users
with a simple, quick, and safe method for implementing second
person review before sending an email to an outsider, such as a
client.
[0043] FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating operation of email
review tool 336 consistent with an aspect of the invention. To
begin, a user at one of clients 110/134 may compose an email
message in the normal manner using email program 335 (act 401).
[0044] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary graphical
interface 500 of email program 335 through which a user may compose
an email message. Email interface 500 may include a composition
section 505, a "send" command option (e.g., an icon) 510, a "To"
address field 515, a "CC" address field 520, a "Subject" field 525,
and an attachment section 530. Email interface 500 may also include
a menu bar 540 through which various other email-related operations
may be performed. For clarity, email interface 500 is shown in a
simplified form. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize
that a typical email interface may include numerous other commands
or options.
[0045] In composition section 505, the user may type or otherwise
enter text, graphics, audio, or video that are to be included in
the email. In the example shown, the user has also included another
file in the email, shown as attachment 532 ("attachmentl.doc") in
attachment section 530. Attachment 532 may be, for example, any
type of text or word processing file, a video file, or an audio
file. Attachment 532 may be considered part of the email. In the
"To" address field 515, the user may enter the intended
recipient(s) of the email. In many email programs, the recipients
may be typed in manually or selected from a contact list.
Additional recipient(s) may be added in "CC" field 520. In subject
field 525, the user may enter a subject for the email.
[0046] After composing the email, the user may instruct email
program 335 to send the email (act 402). In many email programs,
the send command may be initiated by selecting send option 510.
Send option 510 may be implemented in the form of an icon or
software button.
[0047] Email review tool 336 may determine when an email is sent
(act 403). If email review tool 336 is integrated directly into
email program 335 or as an add-in module, this determination can be
made through direct communication with email program 335. In this
situation, although send option 510 may have been selected by the
user, email program 335 may not actually send the email to email
server 120/137. If email review tool 336 is implemented as a
separate program that monitors the operation of email program 335,
this determination may be made by monitoring an output of email
program 335 and intercepting attempts to send an email.
[0048] In some implementations, email review tool 336 may next
analyze the email to determine if a second person review window
should be presented to the user before actually transmitting the
email to email server 120 or 137 (acts 404 and 405). Whether or not
the second person review window is presented may be based on a user
or network administrator configurable set of rules. For example,
email review tool 336 may be configured to examine the To field 515
and skip the review window when all the recipients of the email
have addresses within sub-network 130. In this way, when sending
internal emails, which can often afford to be less formal than
external emails, the user is not presented with a second person
review window. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that
other rules could be applied by email review tool 336. For example,
the user may be able to specify certain email addresses or domains
for which the second person review window may not be shown.
[0049] For emails for which a second person review window applies,
email review tool 336 may present a "pop-up" window (or other
indication) to the user that asks the user to enter information
relating to review of the email (act 406). For emails in which a
pop-up window is not presented to the user, email program 335 may
send the email as normal using email server 120 or 137.
[0050] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary interface for
a second person review pop-up window 600 that may be presented to
the user in act 406. Through window 600, the user may enter
information used to facilitate the second person review. Window 600
may include an author name field 602 and an author email field 604,
which may display the name and email address of the author,
respectively. Review tool 336 may, by default, insert the name and
email address of the user of email program 335 into name field 602
and email field 604, respectively. In other words, review tool 336
may assume that the person currently logged into client 110/134 is
the author. If this is not the case, the user may edit fields 602
and 604, by entering the correct information or selecting the
information, via a drop down window that provides additional names
and/or email addresses.
[0051] In reviewer name field 606 and reviewer email field 608, the
user may enter the name and email address of the intended
reviewer(s). In some implementations, the user may only need to
fill in one of fields 606 and 608. Based on the information in the
filled-in field, email review tool 336 may automatically populate
the other field. In other implementations, the "reviewer" may
actually be an automated review device, such as a network computer
dedicated to checking emails for certain format conventions.
[0052] The user may optionally enter a descriptive priority of the
email in priority field 610. Priority field 610 may be editable
through a drop-down window in which the user may choose from
priority levels such as "routine" (default level), "urgent," and
"low."
[0053] A comment field 609 may also be included in pop-up window
600. In comment field 609, a short message may be entered for the
reviewer.
[0054] Pop-up window 600 may additionally include a number of
additional command options, such as "skip review option 612,
"return to draft email" option 614, and "send for review" option
616. Skip review option 612 may allow the user to, skip the second
person review and have the email instead sent as a normal email to
the destination address(es) (i.e., the email addressees specified
in To field 515 and CC field 520). Return to draft email option 614
may cause email review tool 336 to exit and return the user to
email interface 500, where the user can continue to compose the
email. Send for review option 616 may cause email review tool 336
to send the email to the reviewer(s) entered in fields 606 and
608.
[0055] In some implementations, pop-up window 600 may include other
options relating to second person review of email. For example,
there may be an option to enable the reviewer to send the reviewed
email directly to its final addressees if the reviewer does not
have any changes. Also, there may be an option to allow the user to
input a filing location for a hard copy of the email. Also, there
may be an option to allow the user to input a date when the email
can be deleted as part of a document retention program. Also, there
may be an option to enable the reviewer to send the reviewed email
directly to its final addressees, incorporating any changes the
reviewer made to the document. Also, there may be an option to
enter an identification number, such as a client number, that is
associated with the email. One of ordinary skill in the art will
recognize that options relating to second person review, other than
those discussed above, may be included and configured through
pop-up window 600.
[0056] Returning to FIG. 4, assuming that the user transmits the
email to the reviewer, such as by selecting send for review icon
616, the email may then be sent to the reviewer (act 408). The
email may be transmitted to the reviewer as a normal email via
email server 120/137. In one implementation, email review tool 336
may modify subject field 525 to reflect the fact that a second
person review of the email is being requested.
[0057] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary interface 700
of an "in-box" of email program 335. As shown, a number of email
messages 701-703 may be present and ready to be read. Email message
702, in particular, may be a second person review email. Email
review tool 336 may use a standard text identifier, such as
"Request for Second Person Review," to identify the email 702 as a
second person review request.
[0058] The reviewer (e.g., the user of in-box 700) may select email
702 to review and potentially make changes to email 702 and/or its
attachments. In one implementation, the reviewer may select an
"edit draft" icon 710 to initiate viewing and editing of email
702.
[0059] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary interface
presented to a reviewer that is editing an email (e.g., email 702).
Body 801 of email 702 is displayed to the reviewer in a text
editable format. The reviewer may make desired changes to the text
in body 801. Any comments entered in field 609 (FIG. 6) may also be
displayed to the reviewer, as shown in field 815. Additionally, the
reviewer may select attachments, such as attachment 802. In
response, the email review tool may run an editing program
appropriate for the attachment. For example, if the attachment is a
word processing document, clicking on the attachment may cause
email review tool 336 to run the corresponding word processing
program.
[0060] When the reviewer has finished the review, the reviewer may
select review complete option 810 to send the email, including any
changes to body 801 or attachment 802, back to the author.
Optionally, email review tool 336 may include fields in which the
reviewer can identify additional people to whom the reviewer would
like to send the reviewed email.
[0061] Email review tool 336, in response to selection of review
complete icon 810, may send email 702 back to the author. The
reviewed email may be viewable by the author as a normal email. The
reviewed email may include distinctive text in the subject line,
such as "Completed Second Person Review" that identifies the email
as being a returned second person review request.
[0062] The author may select the reviewed email to again initiate
email interface 500, where the author may view and edit the
contents of the email, including any changes made by the reviewer.
In one implementation, email review tool 336 may present the
changes using a distinctive font, such as red text to indicate
additions and red strikethough text to indicate deletions. The
author may further edit the reviewed email. When the author is done
editing, or if the author is satisfied with the changes, the author
may accept the changes and then forward the edited email to its
intended addressees (i.e., the addressees in fields 515 and 520).
For example, the author may select send icon 510 and skip review
icon 612 to forward the email to the intended addressees.
[0063] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary graphical
interface 900 of email program 335 consistent with an alternate
aspect of the invention. Graphical interface 900 is similar to
graphical interface 500, except that graphical interface 900
additionally includes a "send for review" option 910. By placing
option 910 in the main email composition interface, the user has
the opportunity to affirmatively choose to send the email for
review at an earlier stage in the email process. Selecting send for
review option 910 may present the user with a second person review
window such as window 600. In this implementation, selecting send
option 510 may skip the second person review window 600 and
immediately send the email to the addressees in fields 515 and
520.
[0064] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary graphical
interface 1000 of email program 335 consistent with yet another
aspect of the invention. Graphical interface 1000 is similar to
graphical interface 900, except that graphical interface 1000
includes additional information relating to the second person
review. For example, a reviewer name field 1006 and comment field
1009, which function similarly to fields 606 and 609 (FIG. 6), may
also be included in graphical interface 1000. In this manner, the
email sender can fill in basic email information as well as the
second person review information in a single graphical interface.
In this implementation, selecting send for review option 1010 may
send the email directly to the reviewer without the need for
another window.
Email Classifier
[0065] In addition to providing functionality to assist in
reviewing emails, such as email review tool 336, concepts
consistent with aspects of the invention may assist users or
organizations in archiving and organizing emails.
[0066] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a computer-readable medium
containing an exemplary email classifier 1110. Computer-readable
memory 230 may include email program 335 and, optionally, email
review tool 336, as previously discussed. Additionally,
computer-readable memory may contain email classifier 1110. Email
classifier 1110 may assist in archiving and organizing email
messages. More particularly, as described in more detail below,
email classifier 1110 may assist in associating email messages with
categories. For example, each time an email is created, the email
may be associated with one or more categories, such as categories
relating to social topics, finance, legal advice, administrative,
certain technologies, business categories, etc. Email classifier
1110 may assist in associating the appropriate categories with each
created email.
[0067] Email classifier 1110 may be implemented as an "add-on"
module to email program 335, it may be integrated with email
program 335, or it may be implemented as a separate program that
monitors the operation of email program 335 and intercepts
input/output information flows from email program 335. The software
instructions that define email classifier 1110 may be read into
memory 230 from another computer-readable medium, such as data
storage device 250, or from another device via communication
interface 280. Alternatively, custom circuitry may be used in place
of or in combination with software instructions to implement
processes consistent with the invention. Thus, implementations
consistent with the principles of the invention are not limited to
any specific combination of circuitry and software.
[0068] In one implementation, email classifier 1110 may present a
"pop-up" window that asks the user to enter information relating to
the appropriate classification for the email. The pop-up window may
be presented to the user when the user attempts to send the email.
More generally, the pop-up window may be presented to the user
whenever a user is interacting with (e.g., reading, sending, or
composing) an email message.
[0069] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary interface for
a pop-up window 1200 that may be presented by email classifier
1100. Through pop-up window 1200, a user may enter appropriate
classification categories for the email message. Window 1200 may
include a classification drop down menu 1210 and a
sub-classification drop down menu 1220. Via drop down menu 1210,
the user may select the category most appropriate to their email.
For example, drop down menu 1210 may include a main field 1212 that
includes the currently selected category ("finance") and a list
1214 of other possible categories. The actual categories from which
a user may select may be customizable by the user or an
administrator. The currently selected category may be changed by
the user by, for example, selecting another category from list
1214. The newly selected category may then be placed in field
1212.
[0070] In some implementations, the selection of a particular
category may enable the user to further define the category by
entering a sub-classification category of the main category. As
shown in FIG. 12, a sub-classification menu 1220 allows users to
select sub-categories relating to a category. The currently
selected sub-classification category may be listed in field 1222.
The list of available sub-categories may be dynamically generated
based on the category selected in field 1212. For instance, as
shown in FIG. 12, the category "finance" is the selected category.
The finance category may include a number of possible
sub-categories, such as the sub-categories "invoices," "client
billing issues," "company spending," and "company investments."
These sub-categories may be placed in sub-classification menu 1220
when the user selects the finance category in the classification
menu 1210.
[0071] When the user has selected the appropriate category, the
user may select "done" graphical command button 1230. The
classification categories selected by the user may then be
associated with the email message and the email message may be
further processed (e.g., transmitted to its destination addresses)
as normal. The email and its associated categories may be saved or
otherwise archived. For example, in the context of a corporate
email server, such as email server 137, the email server may handle
the archiving of emails and their selected categories.
[0072] In some implementations, multiple categories/sub-categories
may be associated with a single email. Graphical command button
1240 may be selected by the user when the user wishes to enter
another category. Email classifier 11'0 may respond to this button
by storing the currently selected categories and then allowing the
user to enter another category.
[0073] In some implementations, email classifier 1110 may attempt
to intelligently determine the likely category that the user will
select based on either the content of the email, the destination
addresses of the email, an attachment added to the email, and/or
the user's past category selections. Email classifier 1110 may then
place these selections as the default category in classification
menu 1210. This may save the user time when email classifier 1110
is able to correctly identify the category that is to be associated
with the email. In these situations, if the user agrees with the
automatically selected category, the user may simply select "done"
command button 1230. If the user does not agree, he may first
select the correct category before pressing done button 1230.
[0074] Email classifier 1110 may use a variety of techniques to
intelligently determine the likely category that the user will
select. For example, if a certain number of past email messages to
a particular address were all classified in one category, email
classifier 1110 may initially assume that a new email destined to
that address is likely to also be classified in that category. As
another example, email classifier 1110 may examine the contents of
the unclassified email. If the email contains words or phrases that
are usually associated with a particular category, email classifier
1110 may assume that the email is likely to also be classified in
that category. As yet another example, email classifier 1110 may
compare the contents of a new email to previously classified
emails. If the new email is similar to one or more previously sent
emails, email classifier 1110 may assume that the new email is
likely to be classified in the same category as the previously sent
emails. One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other
techniques could be used to intelligently determine the likely
category that the user will select.
[0075] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary graphical
interface 1300 of email program 335 consistent with yet another
aspect of the invention. Graphical interface 1300 is similar to
graphical interface 1000, except that the functionality of email
classifier 1110 is also integrated into the email interface for
composing an email message. As shown, interface 1300 includes
graphical elements that allow the user to compose an email message
and enter second-person review information. Additionally, interface
1300 includes a classification menu 1310 and a sub-classification
menu 1320. Menus 1310 and 1320 may be used to enter email
categories in the manner used with classification menu 1210 and
sub-classification menu 1220.
[0076] FIG. 14 is an exemplary diagram of a system 1400
illustrating email classification consistent with the principles of
the invention. System 1400 may include a number of client computing
devices 1401, which may be similar to clients 134 (FIG. 1). Clients
1401 may exchange emails with one another and with other external
clients (not shown), such as external clients connected to a wide
area network, such as the Internet. Reading, managing, and
composing email messages may be performed at clients 1401 using
client email software 1405. Client email software 1405 may include
conventional email client functionality as well as the previously
discussed functionality of email classifier 1110.
[0077] System 1400 may additionally include email server 1410 that
facilitates the sending and receiving of email messages among
clients 1401 or between clients 1401 and other external clients.
Email server 1410 may, for instance, collect an email message sent
from or received by clients 1401, including the email category
information. The collected email may then be forwarded toward its
final destination using an email messaging protocol.
[0078] Email that is sent or received via email server 1410 may be
archived in email archive database 1420. Archive database 1420 may
store the email messages along with the categories assigned to the
emails. Additional information, such as the sender and receivers of
each of the emails may also be stored in database 1420. In the
event that a group of emails needs to be retrieved, such as a group
of emails that is required to be produced in a litigation, the
categories associated with the emails may be used to assist in the
retrieval of the emails. For example, when there is a large number
of emails stored in database 1420, the categories associated with
the emails can be used to quickly eliminate many of the emails from
the set of possible emails that may need to be produced.
Conclusion
[0079] The email classifier described above assists in categorizing
emails. Email message categories may be saved with the emails and
can then be used to later help in producing or otherwise organizing
a large number of email messages.
[0080] It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that
aspects of the invention, as described above, may be implemented in
many different forms of software, firmware, and hardware in the
implementations illustrated in the figures. The actual software
code or specialized control hardware used to implement aspects
consistent with the invention is not limiting of the invention.
Thus, the operation and behavior of the aspects were described
without reference to the specific software code--it being
understood that a person of ordinary skill in the art would be able
to design software and control hardware to implement the aspects
based on the description herein.
[0081] The foregoing description of preferred embodiments of the
invention provides illustration and description, but is not
intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise
form disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light
of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of the
invention. For example, although email review tool 336 and email
classifier 1110 was described as being implemented on client
computing devices, the programming logic that defines email review
tool 336 and email classifier 1110 may instead be implemented at
the email server or at a combination of the email server and
client. Additionally, although a number of exemplary graphical user
interfaces were illustrated, one of ordinary skill in the art will
recognize that these interfaces are exemplary only, and that other
interfaces could be used that perform similar or the same
functions.
[0082] No element, act, or instruction used in the description of
the present application should be construed as critical or
essential to the invention unless explicitly described as such.
Also, as used herein, the article "a" is intended to include one or
more items. Where only one item is intended, the term "one" or
similar language is used.
[0083] The scope of the invention is defined by the claims and
their equivalents.
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