Method and apparatus for monitoring message status in an asynchronous mediated communication system

A mediator for mediating asynchronous message routing, comprising:

• means for receiving an indication of acceptance of responsibility for an asynchronous message from a recipient's communication device;
• means for determining if the asynchronous message was addressed to other communication devices;
• and
• means for transmitting a delete instruction message to all other communication devices when the means for determining determines that the asynchronous message was addressed to other communication devices.

A mediator server for mediating asynchronous message routing, comprising:

• a memory unit;
• and
• a processor coupled to the memory unit, wherein the processor is configured with software instructions to perform steps comprising:
• receiving an indication of acceptance of responsibility for an asynchronous message from a recipient's communication device;
• determining if the asynchronous message was addressed to other communication devices;
• and
• transmitting a delete instruction message to all other communication devices when it is determined that the asynchronous message was addressed to other communication devices.

A tangible storage medium having stored thereon processor-executable software instructions configured to cause a processor to perform steps comprising:

• receiving an indication of acceptance of responsibility for an asynchronous message from a recipient's communication device;
• determining if the asynchronous message was addressed to other communication devices;
• and
• transmitting a delete instruction message to all other communication devices when it is determined that the asynchronous message was addressed to other communication devices.

An asynchronous communication system, comprising:

• an asynchronous communication network;
• a first sender communication device linked to the asynchronous communication network, wherein the first sender communication device is configured to send asynchronous messages via the asynchronous communication network;
• a first recipient communication device linked to the asynchronous communication network, wherein the first recipient communication device is configured to receive asynchronous messages via the asynchronous communication network and transmit a opened confirmation to the first sender communication device when a message received from the first sender communication device is opened;
• and
• a mediator linked asynchronous communication network,
• wherein the mediator is configured to determine when an indication of acceptance of responsibility is sent from the first recipient communication device to the first sender communication device in response to the asynchronous message.