Patent US5999967A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5999967A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Electronic mail filtering by electronic stamp
Assignee: Goodmail Systems Inc
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Filing: 1997-08-17
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Granted: 1999-12-07
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Expires: 2017-08-17
Abstract
Abstract An improved method and apparatus for filtering electronic mail. The method and apparatus allows the receiver of electronic mail to make a decision to accept, reject, prioritize, or expedite delivery of a piece of electronic mail based on the value of an attached electronic stamp. The apparatus consists of two complimentary parts: a sender side part with responsibility for attaching the electronic stamp; and a receiver side part with responsibility for removing the electronic stamp and filtering the electronic mail based on the value of the electronic stamp. The method and apparatus are used in a system for reducing or eliminating the amount of junk electronic mail in the electronic mail system.
Inventors
- 👤 Todd Sundsted
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 09:49
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q30/00; G06Q30/02; G06Q30/0207; G06Q10/00; G06Q10/10; G06Q10/107; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/08; G06Q20/10; H; H04; H04L; H04L51/00; H04L51/21; H04L51/212
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
A method of filtering electronic mail, comprising the steps: a) attaching, on a sender's side, electronic stamping means having intrinsic value to a piece of outgoing electronic mail; b) sending both said electronic stamping means and said electronic mail to an intended receiver; c) comparing, on said receiver's side, the value of said electronic stamping means with said receiver's desired compensation level for receiving electronic mail; and d) processing, on said receiver's side, said electronic mail based on the outcome of said comparison; whereby, said receiver will be able to more effectively identify and process junk electronic mail.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
98 words
A method of filtering electronic mail, comprising the steps: a) attaching, on a sender's side, electronic stamping means having intrinsic value to a piece of outgoing electronic mail; b) sending both said electronic stamping means and said electronic mail to an intended receiver; c) comparing, on said receiver's side, the value of said electronic stamping means with said receiver's desired compensation level for receiving electronic mail; and d) processing, on said receiver's side, said electronic mail based on the outcome of said comparison; whereby, said receiver will be able to more effectively identify and process junk electronic mail.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 1, further including the step: transferring, on said receiver's side, funds representing said value from said sender to said receiver upon acceptance of said electronic mail; whereby, said receiver is compensated for accepting said sender's electronic mail.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 2, further including the steps: a) encrypting, on said sender's side, said electronic stamping means before sending it to said intended receiver; and b) decrypting, on said receiver's side, said electronic stamping means; whereby, said electronic stamping means is protected from tampering while in transit from said sender to said receiver.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 1, further including the step: removing, on said receiver's side, the indicator of value from said electronic stamping means and transferring said indicator to a third party for recordation in receiver's account upon acceptance of said electronic mail; whereby, said receiver is compensated for accepting said sender's electronic mail.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 4, further including the steps: a) encrypting, on said sender's side, said electronic stamping means before sending it to said intended receiver; and b) decrypting, on said receiver's side, said electronic stamping means; whereby, said electronic stamping means is protected from tampering while in transit from said sender to said receiver.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 1, further including the steps: a) encrypting, on said sender's side, said electronic stamping means before sending it to said intended receiver; and b) decrypting, on said receiver's side, said electronic stamping means; whereby, said electronic stamping means is protected from tampering while in transit from said sender to said receiver.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
90 words
An apparatus for filtering electronic mail, comprising: a) means for attaching an electronic stamping means to a piece of outgoing electronic mail; b) means for sending both said electronic stamping means and said electronic mail to an intended receiver; c) means for comparing the valuation of said electronic stamping means with said recipient's desired compensation level for receiving electronic mail; and d) means for processing said electronic mail based on the outcome of said comparison; whereby, said receiver will be able to more effectively identify and process junk electronic mail.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
90 words
An apparatus for filtering electronic mail, comprising: a) means for attaching an electronic stamping means to a piece of outgoing electronic mail; b) means for sending both said electronic stamping means and said electronic mail to an intended receiver; c) means for comparing the valuation of said electronic stamping means with said recipient's desired compensation level for receiving electronic mail; and d) means for processing said electronic mail based on the outcome of said comparison; whereby, said receiver will be able to more effectively identify and process junk electronic mail.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
63 words
An attachment to an electronic mail message, comprising: a) an indicator of value acceptable to both a sender and a receiver of electronic mail; b) the electronic mail address of said sender; c) the electronic mail address of said receiver; d) a hash value computed from the contents of the electronic mail; such that the attachment is bound to the electronic mail message.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
63 words
An attachment to an electronic mail message, comprising: a) an indicator of value acceptable to both a sender and a receiver of electronic mail; b) the electronic mail address of said sender; c) the electronic mail address of said receiver; d) a hash value computed from the contents of the electronic mail; such that the attachment is bound to the electronic mail message.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The attachment of claim 8, further comprising a serial number of the attachment.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
The attachment of claim 8, further comprising an identification number of the sending system.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The attachment of claim 8, further comprising a digital signature of said attachment.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
47 words
The attachment of claim 8, further comprising: a) a serial number of the attachment; b) an identification number of the sending system; c) the date of creation of said attachment; d) a digital signature of said attachment; such that the integrity of said attachment may be determined.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-12-06 | 2003-06-07 | 2003-12-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-12-06 | 2007-06-07 | 2007-12-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-12-06 | 2011-06-07 | 2011-12-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |