U.S. patent application number 12/203373 was filed with the patent office on 2009-08-06 for method of remote configuration of automatic response settings for a first email address using an email sent from a second email address.
This patent application is currently assigned to INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION. Invention is credited to Richard A. Bloomer, JR., Manjunath B. Muttur.
Application Number | 20090198783 12/203373 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 39484498 |
Filed Date | 2009-08-06 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090198783 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Bloomer, JR.; Richard A. ;
et al. |
August 6, 2009 |
METHOD OF REMOTE CONFIGURATION OF AUTOMATIC RESPONSE SETTINGS FOR A
FIRST EMAIL ADDRESS USING AN EMAIL SENT FROM A SECOND EMAIL
ADDRESS
Abstract
A method of providing remote configuration of autoreply message
settings includes providing for an autoreply message configuration
rule to be defined in terms of one or more specified conditions and
one or more specified actions configuring autoreply message
settings for a first email address; receiving a first email message
addressed to the first email address and sent from a second email
address; examining the first email message for the one or more
specified conditions; executing the one or more specified actions
configuring autoreply message settings if the one or more specified
conditions are met by the first email message; and generating an
autoreply message in accordance with the autoreply message settings
configured by executing the one or more specified actions in
response to receiving a second email message addressed to the first
email address if the one or more specified conditions are met by
the first email message.
Inventors: |
Bloomer, JR.; Richard A.;
(Round Rock, TX) ; Muttur; Manjunath B.;
(Karnataka, IN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CANTOR COLBURN LLP - IBM AUSTIN
20 Church Street, 22nd Floor
Hartford
CT
06103
US
|
Assignee: |
INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES
CORPORATION
Armonk
NY
|
Family ID: |
39484498 |
Appl. No.: |
12/203373 |
Filed: |
September 3, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12114248 |
May 2, 2008 |
7509383 |
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12203373 |
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|
12027015 |
Feb 6, 2008 |
7386595 |
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12114248 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
709/206 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 10/107 20130101;
H04L 51/02 20130101; H04L 51/18 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
709/206 |
International
Class: |
G06F 15/16 20060101
G06F015/16 |
Claims
1. A method of providing remote configuration of settings for
automatic reply messages, the method comprising: providing for an
automatic reply message configuration rule to be defined by a user
in terms of one or more specified conditions and one or more
specified actions configuring automatic reply message settings for
a first email address allocated for the user; providing for the
user to generate an autoreply configuration email message including
a set of configuration instructions using a second email address
allocated for the user; receiving the autoreply configuration email
message addressed to the first email address sent from the second
email address by the user; examining the received autoreply
configuration email message for the one or more specified
conditions; executing the one or more specified actions configuring
automatic reply message settings for the first email address if the
one or more specified conditions are met by the received autoreply
configuration email message; and generating an automatic reply
message in response to receiving email messages addressed to the
first email address in accordance with the configured automatic
reply message settings; wherein at least one of the one or more
specified actions is determined according to the set of
instructions included in the autoreply configuration email message
and retrieved by the email server; and wherein the one or more
specified conditions are selected from being sent from one or more
specified email addresses, containing one or more specified strings
of text in a specified format, containing a particular digital
signature, and combinations thereof, and wherein the one or more
specified actions are selected from enabling the automatic reply
message, disabling the automatic reply message, setting a time
period during which the automatic reply message is to be generated,
creating a block of text to be included in the automatic reply
message, editing a block of text to be included in the automatic
reply message, setting a list of email addresses to which the
automatic reply is to be sent, and combinations thereof.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more
specified actions is executed according to a set of instructions
included in the first email message if the one or more specified
conditions are met by the first email message.
3. (canceled)
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the first email address is
allocated by an email server, wherein the automatic reply message
configuration rule is maintained by the email server, and wherein
the email server provides for the automatic reply message
configuration rule to be defined using a first email client
application running on a first client platform that is
communicatively coupled to the email server.
5. The method of claim 4, wherein the first email message is
generated using a second email client application running on a
second client platform that is communicatively decoupled from the
email server.
6. The method of claim 5, wherein the second client platform is a
device selected from personal computers, Personal Digital
Assistants (PDAs), handheld computing devices, portable computing
devices, palm top computers, mobile handsets, cellular phones,
smart phones, game consoles, and combinations thereof.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/114,248, filed May 2, 2008, which is a
continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/027,015, filed
Feb. 6, 2008 and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,386,595 on Jun. 10,
2008, the disclosures of each of which are incorporated herein by
reference in their entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention relate to
electronic messaging, and more particularly, to configuration of
automatic responses to electronic messages.
[0003] In computer communication networks, one method of
communication is electronic mail (email), in which a sending user
prepares and sends a message over some form of computer network to
a receiving user, usually on a remote system. Most email client
applications, which are front-end computer programs that are
typically used to maintain a message list identifying messages
received for reading and processing by the recipient, also provide
software to facilitate writing, replying to, forwarding, deleting,
and filing emails. Because email messages can be sent at any time
across the world as easily as across the office, to a group of
people or a single recipient, without the user leaving his or her
desk, email can provide considerable benefits over traditional
paper based memos and postal systems. Email has become a ubiquitous
means of communication for both business and personal use.
[0004] Many email client applications also include additional
functions or utilities with configurable settings. These functions
may provide for, for example, message filtering, message
redirection, directing a copy of a message to be saved in a
particular folder, automatic message signature settings, and
autoresponders to generate automatic answers such as
"out-of-office" or "vacation" reply messages in response to
incoming messages on behalf of a recipient who does not expect be
reading or only intermittently reading email. For example, during
periods of travel for a user, out-of-office autoreply messages can
be provided to inform the senders of incoming messages to an email
address registered for the user that the messages are unlikely to
be read, or acted on, in a timely manner. This is typically
implemented by allowing users to specify a variety of parameters
such as the time period during which the user is away, the content
of the out-of-office autoreply, the list of users to whom the
out-of-office autoreply is to be sent if mail is received from
them, and the like. A user of such a client application can thus
enable or disable an out-of-office autoreply message setting for
sending a pre-composed reply email message from an email address
registered for the user in response to a message addressed to the
email address being received by the client application. Such
out-of-office autoreply message settings are typically configurable
on a personal computer via a client email application, such as, for
example, Microsoft Outlook or IBM's Lotus Notes.
[0005] While autoreply messages can be useful for their intended
purpose, the configuration and management of the settings for such
messages can be a nuisance. The settings must be manually
configured each time a change is desired in the manner of handling
communications when the intended receiver does not wish to be
interrupted or is otherwise unavailable. Situations can arise in
which a user is unable to access the email client application used
to maintain his or her email account through a terminal or client
system. For instance, the email server for the client application
may be implemented behind an organizational firewall that does not
permit access through external networks, and the user may suddenly
fall sick and be unable to go to the office to access the email
server through the internal network, in which case the user will be
unable to configure the out-of-office autoreply message
settings.
[0006] Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a mechanism for
remotely controlling out-of-office autoreply message settings for
an email account when direct access to the client application for
the email account is not available.
SUMMARY
[0007] An exemplary embodiment of a method of providing remote
configuration of automatic reply message settings includes
providing for an automatic reply message configuration rule to be
defined in terms of one or more specified conditions and one or
more specified actions configuring automatic reply message settings
for a first email address; receiving a first email message
addressed to the first email address and sent from a second email
address; examining the first email message for the one or more
specified conditions; executing the one or more specified actions
configuring automatic reply message settings for the first email
address if the one or more specified conditions are met by the
first email message; and generating an automatic reply message in
accordance with the automatic reply message settings configured by
executing the one or more specified actions in response to
receiving a second email message addressed to the first email
address if the one or more specified conditions are met by the
first email message.
[0008] The shortcomings of the prior art can also be overcome and
additional advantages can also be provided through exemplary
embodiments of the present invention that are related to computer
program products and data processing systems corresponding to the
above-summarized method are also described and claimed herein.
[0009] Additional features and advantages are realized through the
techniques of the present invention. Other embodiments and aspects
of the invention are described in detail herein and are considered
a part of the claimed invention. For a better understanding of the
invention with advantages and features, refer to the description
and to the drawings.
TECHNICAL EFFECTS
[0010] As a result of exemplary embodiments of the summarized
invention, technically we have achieved a solution that can be
implemented to provide a mechanism enabling remote configuration of
settings for autoreply messages that are generated by an email
server for an email address on behalf of a user registered to that
email address. Exemplary embodiments can be implemented to enable a
user registered to an email address to remotely configure autoreply
messages setting for that email address without having to directly
access the email server for the email address to change the
autoreply message settings (such as by logging into a client
application provided on a client platform that is communicatively
coupled to the email server).
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The subject matter that is regarded as the invention is
particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at
the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other
objects, features, and advantages of the invention are apparent
from the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments of
the present invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings in which:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary email
system within which exemplary embodiments of the present invention
can be implemented.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary
embodiment of a general system for sending and handling email
messages in accordance with the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary
embodiment of a general process of remotely configuring autoreply
message settings for a receiving email address in accordance with
the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an exemplary computer
system that can be used for implementing exemplary embodiments of
the present invention.
[0016] The detailed description explains exemplary embodiments of
the present invention, together with advantages and features, by
way of example with reference to the drawings. The flow diagrams
depicted herein are just examples. There may be many variations to
these diagrams or the steps (or operations) described therein
without departing from the spirit of the invention. For instance,
the steps may be performed in a differing order, or steps may be
added, deleted, or modified. All of these variations are considered
a part of the claimed invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] While the specification concludes with claims defining the
features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is
believed that the invention will be better understood from a
consideration of the description of exemplary embodiments in
conjunction with the drawings. It is of course to be understood
that the embodiments described herein are merely exemplary of the
invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore,
specific structural and functional details disclosed in relation to
the exemplary embodiments described herein are not to be
interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for
teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present
invention in virtually any appropriate form. Further, the terms and
phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting but rather to
provide an understandable description of the invention.
[0018] Referring now to FIG. 1, an email system 100 within which
exemplary embodiments of the present invention can be implemented
is illustrated. Hereinafter, the term "email" refers to various
kinds of electronic mail. For example, the email may be a text
email, a voice email, a video email, or the like. Exemplary email
system 100 includes an email server system 102 and a number of
client systems or platforms 106, 108, 110 operatively connected to
email server system 102 via an interconnect network 104. It should
be noted that the present exemplary embodiment is non-limiting.
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention can be implemented
in email systems that include any number of similar or different
email servers and any number of similar or different email clients
operatively connected together via a network. In exemplary
embodiments, the email server(s) and the client application(s) can
communicate with each other following a client-server model and
rely on the Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) for reliable
delivery of information or applications between servers and client
applications.
[0019] In exemplary embodiments, network 104 may be any suitable
network type, such as, for example, personal area network (PAN),
local area network (LAN), or wide area network (WAN), and the
network may also utilize any suitable hardware technology to
connect devices such as, for example, optical fiber, Ethernet, ISDN
(Integrated Services Digital Network), T-1 or T-3 link, FDDI (Fiber
Distributed Data Network), cable or wireless LMDS network, Wireless
LAN, HomePNA, Power line communication, or telephone line
network.
[0020] Each of client platforms 106, 108, 110 is a user terminal or
other client system or device implementing software for and running
a respective email client application (that is, 112, 114, 116). In
exemplary embodiments, each of client platforms 106, 108, 110 may
be a personal computer system or a non-traditional-computer digital
device such as a personal digital assistant, a pager, a cellular
phone, and the like. Client applications 112, 114, 116 may also be
referred to as email applications or simply clients and may be
implemented in a variety of ways. Examples of email client
applications include Microsoft Outlook, IBM's Lotus Notes, Netscape
Communicator (or Netscape 8.0), and the AOL 9.0 interactive service
software (which includes the email function). Other examples of
email client applications include Mozilla thunderbird, and web-mail
clients such as gmail, hotmail, and the like.
[0021] In the present exemplary embodiment, email server system 102
is implemented by email server software running on a computer
system, which can be, for example, a server computer, a workstation
computer, a mainframe computer, or a super-computer. The computer
system may also comprise a number of computers connected together
via a network. Email server 102 may therefore exist as multiple
separate logical and/or physical units, and/or as multiple servers
acting in concert or independently, wherein each server may be
comprised of multiple separate logical and/or physical units. The
email server software may be, for example, the Microsoft Exchange
email server software, IBM's Lotus Domino, the Sun/AOL iPlanet
Messaging Server, or the like.
[0022] In exemplary embodiments, email server system 102 can be
configured to interact with non-web client applications, web client
applications, or both. Email server 102 may also be configured to
function autonomously, that is, with no client. The functions of
email server system 102 include managing email addresses, receiving
email messages, delivering queued email messages to client
applications, and forwarding email messages to their appropriate
destinations. The user of each of email client applications 112,
114, 116 is registered with an email address, and email server 102
is configured to forward messages among the client applications
112, 114, 116 based on email addresses specified in the messages.
Email server 102 can additionally comprise one or more user
information stores that contain information about each user of
email client applications 112, 114, 116. The one or more
information stores can be used to manage interactions between email
server 102 and client platforms 106, 108, 110.
[0023] When a user having a particular email address logs into
email system 100 through a client application, the client
application assumes the email address registered for the logged-in
user. The client application then communicates with email server
102 to receive all email messages sent to that particular email
address using, for example, the Post Office Protocol (POP) or the
Internet Message Access Protocol (IMAP). The user may also send
email messages from that email address to other email addresses via
the client application.
[0024] During periods when a user of one of client applications
112, 114, 116 will not be checking or will only be intermittently
checking messages sent to an email address managed by email server
102 (for example, when the user is traveling or sick), the user can
be provided with the option of configuring the email server to
provide out-of-office autoreply messages or alerts on behalf of the
user to inform senders of incoming messages to the email address
registered for the user that the incoming messages are unlikely to
be read, or acted on, in a timely manner. For example, a user of
Microsoft Outlook can configure automated "Out of Office" messages
using the "Out of Office Assistant" setup to automatically respond
to incoming email messages. In exemplary embodiments, this option
can be implemented by allowing the user to specify a variety of
parameters such as, for example, the time period during which the
user is away, the content of the out-of-office autoreply, the list
of users to whom the out-of-office autoreply is to be sent if mail
is received from them, and the like. The user can thus enable or
disable an out-of-office autoreply message setting for an email
address for sending a pre-composed reply email message in response
to a message addressed to the email address being received by the
client application.
[0025] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention can be
implemented to provide a mechanism through which a user can
remotely configure the out-of-office autoreply message option
settings for a particular email address registered for the user. In
exemplary embodiments, this remote configuration can be achieved by
having the user send an email message having particular identifying
contents to the email address for which the out-of-office autoreply
message settings are to be configured. Such an email message can,
for example, have particular contents instructing the email server
to enable the out-of-office message option for the email address.
Exemplary embodiments can thus be implemented to provide a
mechanism through which a user can configure the out-of-office
autoreply message settings for an email address without accessing a
client system or platform that is operatively connected to the
email server for the email address. Rather, the user can access a
different client system or platform to generate and send an email
message to the email address containing instructions for
configuring the out-of-office option settings for that email
address from another email address.
[0026] Referring now to FIG. 2, a block diagram illustrating an
exemplary embodiment of a general system 200 for sending and
handling email messages containing autoreply message configuration
instructions for a receiving email address is shown. In the present
exemplary system, a sending client platform 202, which is a system
or device running an email client application that is operated by a
user and owned by, managed by, operated by, or otherwise associated
with an outbound email server 204, is connected directly or
indirectly through one or more networks to a wide area network
(WAN) 206 (for example, the Internet). The user can thus operate
the email client application running on sending client platform 202
to compose email messages and to send the messages from a sending
email address. For purposes of illustrating a simple example, a
single sending client platform is shown in FIG. 2. In exemplary
embodiments, however, there may be any number of client systems or
platforms all communicatively coupled to WAN 206 and each running
an email client application that may be used to send email
messages.
[0027] In the present exemplary embodiment, a receiving client
system or platform 208 is also connected to WAN 206. Receiving
client platform 208 is configured to run an email client
application that is owned by, managed by, operated by, or otherwise
associated with an inbound email server 210 and can be operated by
the user to access messages delivered to the receiving email
address. For purposes of illustrating a simple example, a single
receiving client platform is shown in FIG. 2. In exemplary
embodiments, however, there may any number of receiving client
systems or platforms each communicatively coupled to WAN 206
through inbound email server 210 and each configured to run an
email client application that may be operated by the user to access
messages delivered to the receiving email address.
[0028] In exemplary embodiments, WAN 206 can be a circuit switched
network, such as the Public Service Telephone Network (PSTN), a
packet switched network (which can be a wide area network (WAN),
such as the global Internet, a private WAN, a telecommunications
network or any combination of the above-mentioned networks), a
wired network, a wireless network, a broadcast network, or a
point-to-point network.
[0029] In exemplary embodiments, the systems of client platforms
202 and 204 can be any of a wide range of suitable computing
devices having Internet access and providing email capabilities
such as one or more personal computers (PCs) (for example, IBM or
compatible PC workstations running the Microsoft Windows operating
system or Linux OS, Macintosh computers running the Mac OS
operating system, or equivalent), Personal Digital Assistants
(PDAs) and other handheld or portable electronic devices, palm top
computers, mobile handsets, smart phones, game consoles, or any
other suitable information processing devices.
[0030] Often, a user will not have access to a personal computer
(for example, when the user is traveling). In the present exemplary
embodiment, sending client platform 202 is depicted as a handheld
electronic device. Numerous types of handheld electronic devices
are known. Examples of such handheld electronic devices include,
for instance, PDAs, handheld computers, two-way pagers, cellular
telephones, mobile handsets, and the like. In general, a handheld
electronic device can comprise small general computing device
having a processing unit that is capable of running one or more
application programs (such as an email client application), a
display, and an input mechanism that is typically something other
than a full-size keyboard. The input mechanism may be, for example,
a keypad, a touch-sensitive screen, a track ball, a touch-sensitive
pad, a miniaturized QWERTY keyboard, or the like. A handheld
electronic device may also feature wireless communication
capability.
[0031] In exemplary embodiments, the email client applications
running on sending client platform 202 and receiving client
platform 208 can be any of a myriad of email clients, which can
range from proprietary email clients (thick clients) to web-based
interfaces that retrieve email messages in which the user agent
function is provided by a Web server and/or a back-end program (for
example, a CGI program) running on the same system as the
corresponding email server. At any time, the user can operate the
email client application running on sending client platform 202 to
compose one or more email messages containing autoreply message
configuration instructions and to cause outbound email server 204
to send the one or more messages for delivery to the receiving
email address. The one or more configuration messages are received
at inbound email server 210 and can be retrieved by the email
client application running on receiving client platform 208.
[0032] Each email server 204, 210 may comprise any type of
general-purpose messaging gateway, also known as a Message Transfer
Agent (MTA), mail relay, email relay, email router, Simple Mail
Transfer Protocol (SMTP) server, QMQP server, or email gateway,
which is specially programmed to perform email message routing
functions. Generally, when a message is delivered to a messaging
gateway, the gateway must determine whether it can deliver the
message locally to its own message store or if it must route the
message to another messaging gateway. If the message is sent to
another messaging gateway, the other messaging gateway must make
the same decisions about the message--deliver locally or route to
yet another messaging gateway. In this way, messages are routed
throughout, for example, the Internet, until they reach the
intended recipient. After a message is successfully delivered to
and stored on the correct messaging gateway, the recipient can then
retrieve the message. For purposes of illustrating a simple
example, one of each email server is shown in FIG. 2. In practical
exemplary embodiments, however, there may be any number of
outbound, inbound, and intermediate messaging gateways, and the use
of any number of such elements is contemplated. In exemplary
embodiments, the systems of the one or more messaging gateways can
be a server system such as, for example, SUN Ultra workstations
running the SunOS operating system, IBM RS/6000 workstations and
servers running the AIX operating system, or an IBM zSeries eServer
running z/OS, z/VM or Linux OS.
[0033] In exemplary embodiments, when a new email message arrives
for delivery to the receiving email address, inbound email server
210 can be configured to process the message according to one or
more processing rules defined by the user. Email processing rules
are user-defined instructions for managing incoming and outgoing
email messages. Rules execute specific tasks when user-defined
criteria are met. Each rule includes conditions and actions, and
may also include exceptions. "Conditions" are the criteria that are
available for making new rules. A rule will not be executed unless
its conditions are satisfied. "Actions" are the events that occur
when the rule's conditions are met. Each rule typically contains at
least one condition and one action. "Exceptions" allow a user to
identify criteria or conditions that will prevent a rule from
executing. For instance, these rules can provide a mechanism for
preventing spam and other unnecessary email messages from clogging
the mailbox for the receiving email address. An example of such a
rule would be one defined to instruct email server 210 to direct a
message to a separate folder if the message is from a particular
sender, in which case the email server would be configured to
inspect the email addresses of the senders of received messages to
determine whether each message is from that particular sender.
Another example of such a rule would be one defined to instruct
email server 210 to delete an email message if the body of the
message contains a particular keyword, in which case the email
server would be configured to parse the body section of received
message to determine if the message contains that particular
keyword.
[0034] In the present exemplary embodiment, when a new email
message arrives for delivery to the receiving email address,
inbound email server 210 can be configured to process the message
according to rules defined by the user that instruct the email
server to configure the autoreply message settings in a certain
manner when the received message satisfies certain conditions. For
example, such a rule may instruct email server 210 to enable or
disable an autoreply message if the received message is sent from a
particular email address and/or if the received message contains
particular terms in a particular format (for example, a password or
other specific keyword selected by the user). In exemplary
embodiments, such a rule may also be implemented to instruct email
server 210 to configure other autoreply settings by, for example,
setting the time period during which the autoreply message is to be
sent, creating or editing the content of the autoreply message,
setting the list of users to whom the autoreply message is to be
sent if mail is received from them, setting an alternative email
address to which received messages are to be sent, and performing
other like actions, if the received message satisfies certain
conditions. Once such a rule is defined by the user, email server
210 will be configured retrieve configuration instructions from
received email messages and execute the specific action specified
by the configuration instructions. In this manner, the user is
simply required to the send a configuration email message that
conforms to a set of predefined conditions for such messages, and
does not need to directly access the email server for the email
address to change the autoreply message settings (such as by
logging into a client application through a client system or
platform that is communicatively coupled to the email server).
[0035] Referring now to FIG. 3, a flow chart illustrating an
exemplary embodiment of a general process 300 for remotely
configuring autoreply message settings for a receiving email
address is shown. At block 310, a user that is logged into an email
client application for a first email address defines a rule
instructing the inbound email server for the first email address to
configure autoreply message settings in a certain manner when
messages addressed to the first email address are received and
satisfy certain conditions. With the mail rule now configured at
the inbound email server, the user will now be able to configure
the autoreply message settings for the first email address in a
desired manner. When it is so desired, the user, at block 320, logs
into a client application for a second email address and generates
an email message containing autoreply message configuration
instructions according to the rule defined at block 310. In
exemplary embodiments, such a configuration message may be
generated in a variety of ways. For example, the user may manually
type the configuration instructions into an email message using a
standard email editor as provided by the client application for the
second email address. At block 330, the user transmits the
configuration message to the email server for the first email
address. To do so, the user may, for example, operate the client
application to cause the outbound email server for the second email
address to send the message for delivery to the first email
address.
[0036] In the present exemplary embodiment, at block 340, the
configuration message arrives at inbound email server for the first
email address. At decision block 350, the inbound email server
accesses the received message to determine if the message satisfies
the conditions for the rule defined at block 310. For example, the
email server can be configured to authenticate the received message
according to the particular identifying contents according to the
rule defined at block 310. Such an authentication may be performed
in a variety of ways, with different levels of security. In one
exemplary embodiment, the rule defined at block 310 can instruct
the email server to determine whether the subject header or body of
the email message includes a password, a particular digital
signature, or other identification mechanism. If the email server
determines that the message satisfies the predefined conditions,
then the email server, at block 360, configures the autoreply
message settings for the first email address according to the rule
defined at block 310. For example, the email server can be
configured to parse the received message to retrieve certain
configuration instructions, and then configure autoreply message
settings according to the configuration instructions in the
message. In exemplary embodiments, these configuration instructions
may be provided as an attachment to the email message, or may be
provided as text contained in the body of the email message. In
other exemplary embodiments, the rule defined at block 310 can
instruct the mail serve to perform a specified configuration action
(for example, enabling or disabling the autoreply message) whenever
a message satisfying the predefined conditions is received.
[0037] At block 370, the email server can handle the message in a
usual manner, such as by delivering the message to the mailbox for
the first email address. In exemplary embodiments, the email server
for the second email address may be also configured to generate a
confirmation reply message in response to any autoreply
configuration email messages received confirming execution of the
configuration action according the rule defined at block 310. For
example, the email server may transmit this reply back to the
sending email address of the configuration message, or may transmit
the reply to a different email address (for instance, an email
address specified according to rule defined at block 310). Such a
confirmation message could inform the sender that the configuration
message was received and understood, and that the autoreply message
settings were reconfigured properly. This confirmation message
could also serve as a time stamp for the configuration action or an
indication of whether the configuration message was a mistake or
maliciously sent by another. In exemplary embodiments, the email
server could also be configured to discard of received
configuration messages after configuring the autoreply message
settings accordingly.
[0038] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention can be
implemented to provide a mechanism enabling remote configuration of
settings for autoreply messages that are generated by an email
server for an email address on behalf of a user registered to that
email address. Exemplary embodiments can thus be implemented as an
email server-based system or software component, which may act
cooperatively or in conjunction with an email client system or
software component, or with web documents or web applets in a web
browser, for which interactions may occur over a communications
link or network. Exemplary embodiments can be implemented within
any such email system or software that is capable of enabling users
to configure automated responses.
[0039] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention can be
implemented to enable a user registered to an email address to
remotely configure autoreply message settings for that email
address without having to directly access the email server for the
email address to change the autoreply message settings (such as by
logging into a client application through a client system or
platform that is communicatively coupled to the email server).
Rather, the use of email messages as a configuration mechanism as
described herein in relation to exemplary embodiments allows a user
having access to virtually any client system or platform with a
link to the Internet and email capabilities, whether coupled or
decoupled to the web server, to remotely configure the autoreply
message settings, even where the email server is shielded by a
packet-filtering router, a proxy-based firewall, or any other
network security system.
[0040] Examples of such autoreply messages for which exemplary
embodiments of the present invention can be implemented include
"out-of-office" or "vacation" reply messages that are generated in
response to incoming email messages on behalf of a recipient who
does not expect be reading or only intermittently reading email.
Exemplary embodiments can also be implemented to enable remote
configuration of settings for other types of autoreply messages
such as, for example, those utilized by business enterprises as
email marketing tools to immediately provide a follow-up to
customer inquiries made by email and those utilized by providers of
electronic mailing lists to confirm subscriptions, unsubscriptions,
posts, and other list activities.
[0041] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention can be
realized in hardware, software, or a combination of hardware and
software. Exemplary embodiments can be realized in a centralized
fashion in one computer system or in a distributed fashion where
different elements are spread across several interconnected
computer systems. Any kind of computer system - or other apparatus
adapted for carrying out the methods described herein - is suited.
A typical combination of hardware and software could be a
general-purpose computer system with a computer program that, when
being loaded and executed, controls the computer system such that
it carries out the methods described herein.
[0042] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention can also be
embedded in a computer program product, which comprises all the
features enabling the implementation of the methods described
herein, and which--when loaded in a computer system--is able to
carry out these methods. Computer program means or computer program
as used in the present invention indicates any expression, in any
language, code or notation, of a set of instructions intended to
cause a system having an information processing capability to
perform a particular function either directly or after either or
both of the following a) conversion to another language, code or,
notation; and b) reproduction in a different material form.
[0043] A computer system in which exemplary embodiments can be
implemented may include, inter alia, one or more computers and at
least a computer program product on a computer readable medium,
allowing a computer system, to read data, instructions, messages or
message packets, and other computer readable information from the
computer readable medium. The computer readable medium may include
non-volatile memory, such as ROM, Flash memory, Disk drive memory,
CD-ROM, and other permanent storage. Additionally, a computer
readable medium may include, for example, volatile storage such as
RAM, buffers, cache memory, and network circuits. Furthermore, the
computer readable medium may comprise computer readable information
in a transitory state medium such as a network link and/or a
network interface, including a wired network or a wireless network,
that allow a computer system to read such computer readable
information.
[0044] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an exemplary computer system
400 that can be used for implementing exemplary embodiments of the
present invention. Computer system 400 includes one or more
processors, such as processor 404. Processor 404 is connected to a
communication infrastructure 402 (for example, a communications
bus, cross-over bar, or network). Various software embodiments are
described in terms of this exemplary computer system. After reading
this description, it will become apparent to a person of ordinary
skill in the relevant art(s) how to implement the invention using
other computer systems and/or computer architectures.
[0045] Exemplary computer system 400 can include a display
interface 408 that forwards graphics, text, and other data from the
communication infrastructure 402 (or from a frame buffer not shown)
for display on a display unit 410. Computer system 400 also
includes a main memory 406, which can be random access memory
(RAM), and may also include a secondary memory 412. Secondary
memory 412 may include, for example, a hard disk drive 414 and/or a
removable storage drive 416, representing a floppy disk drive, a
magnetic tape drive, an optical disk drive, etc. Removable storage
drive 416 reads from and/or writes to a removable storage unit 418
in a manner well known to those having ordinary skill in the art.
Removable storage unit 418, represents, for example, a floppy disk,
magnetic tape, optical disk, etc. which is read by and written to
by removable storage drive 416. As will be appreciated, removable
storage unit 418 includes a computer usable storage medium having
stored therein computer software and/or data.
[0046] In exemplary embodiments, secondary memory 412 may include
other similar means for allowing computer programs or other
instructions to be loaded into the computer system. Such means may
include, for example, a removable storage unit 422 and an interface
420. Examples of such may include a program cartridge and cartridge
interface (such as that found in video game devices), a removable
memory chip (such as an EPROM, or PROM) and associated socket, and
other removable storage units 422 and interfaces 420 which allow
software and data to be transferred from the removable storage unit
422 to computer system 400.
[0047] Computer system 400 may also include a communications
interface 424. Communications interface 424 allows software and
data to be transferred between the computer system and external
devices. Examples of communications interface 424 may include a
modem, a network interface (such as an Ethernet card), a
communications port, a PCMCIA slot and card, etc. Software and data
transferred via communications interface 424 are in the form of
signals which may be, for example, electronic, electromagnetic,
optical, or other signals capable of being received by
communications interface 424. These signals are provided to
communications interface 424 via a communications path (that is,
channel) 426. Channel 426 carries signals and may be implemented
using wire or cable, fiber optics, a phone line, a cellular phone
link, an RF link, and/or other communications channels.
[0048] In this document, the terms "computer program medium,"
"computer usable medium," and "computer readable medium" are used
to generally refer to media such as main memory 406 and secondary
memory 412, removable storage drive 416, a hard disk installed in
hard disk drive 414, and signals. These computer program products
are means for providing software to the computer system. The
computer readable medium allows the computer system to read data,
instructions, messages or message packets, and other computer
readable information from the computer readable medium. The
computer readable medium, for example, may include non-volatile
memory, such as Floppy, ROM, Flash memory, Disk drive memory,
CD-ROM, and other permanent storage. It can be used, for example,
to transport information, such as data and computer instructions,
between computer systems. Furthermore, the computer readable medium
may comprise computer readable information in a transitory state
medium such as a network link and/or a network interface, including
a wired network or a wireless network, that allows a computer to
read such computer readable information.
[0049] Computer programs (also called computer control logic) are
stored in main memory 406 and/or secondary memory 412. Computer
programs may also be received via communications interface 424.
Such computer programs, when executed, can enable the computer
system to perform the features of exemplary embodiments of the
present invention as discussed herein. In particular, the computer
programs, when executed, enable processor 404 to perform the
features of computer system 400. Accordingly, such computer
programs represent controllers of the computer system.
[0050] Although exemplary embodiments of the present invention have
been described in detail, it should be understood that various
changes, substitutions and alternations could be made thereto
without departing from spirit and scope of the inventions as
defined by the appended claims. Variations described for exemplary
embodiments of the present invention can be realized in any
combination desirable for each particular application. Thus
particular limitations, and/or embodiment enhancements described
herein, which may have particular advantages to a particular
application, need not be used for all applications. Also, not all
limitations need be implemented in methods, systems, and/or
apparatuses including one or more concepts described with relation
to exemplary embodiments of the present invention.
[0051] While exemplary embodiments of the present invention have
been described, it will be understood that those skilled in the
art, both now and in the future, may make various modifications
without departing from the spirit and the scope of the present
invention as set forth in the following claims. These following
claims should be construed to maintain the proper protection for
the present invention.
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