# US 2021/0243146 A1 · Scanning tool for detecting sensitive information in text transmissions

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- Number: US 2021/0243146 A1
- Document ID: US20210243146A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 17/063,202
- Filed: 2020-10-05
- Published: 2021-08-05
- Earliest claimed: 2019-10-03
- Assignees: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
- Applicants: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
- Inventors: Jamie Blaine Leveille; Thomas James Tabb
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20210243146A1

## CPC

- H04L 51/08: Annexed information, e.g. attachments
- H04L 51/212: using filtering or selective blocking
- G06F 3/04842: Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements (G06F3/0482 takes precedence)
- G06F 16/383: using metadata automatically derived from the content
- G06F 40/279: Recognition of textual entities
- G06Q 10/10: Office automation; Time management
- H04L 51/42: Mailbox-related aspects, e.g. synchronisation of mailboxes
- H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M)
- G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N)
- G06Q: INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR

## Abstract

The present invention relates to a scanning tool for text transmissions which identifies potentially sensitive text. In exemplary embodiments, a guardian application scans regular email (and calendar appointments) subject, message body, and attachments for key words that identify if a document is potentially sensitive and it notifies the user with specifics if key words are found. If the guardian application cannot scan (either an image or a document with text that cannot be scanned), it notifies the user, requests them to open and review the document, and requires the user to select if they have or have not reviewed the document. It will not send the email if the user selects that they have not reviewed the document.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An email scanning tool comprising:
a keyword database comprising at least one keyword;
a first plurality of machine instructions comprising initialization instructions that identify an application operator, displays a first graphical user interface (GUI) comprising a status identifier, and checks for a digital signature file;
a second plurality of machine instructions that generates a second GUI comprising a digital signature reminder, wherein the second plurality of machine instructions are configured to execute when the first plurality of machine instructions does not detect the digital signature file;
a third plurality of machine instructions comprising tracking database update instructions that records installation or non-installation of the scanning tool to an external database;
a fourth plurality of machine instructions comprising an email subject line scan function, an email body scan function, and an email attachment scan function, wherein the fourth plurality of machine instructions execute when a user sends an email, wherein the email subject line scan function searches for the at least one keyword within an email subject line, wherein the email body scan function searches for the at least one keyword within an email body, wherein the email attachment scan function searches for the at least one keyword within an email attachment and the filename of the email attachment.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The scanning tool of claim 1, the fourth plurality of machine instructions further comprising:
a third GUI comprising an email subject line keyword notification;
a fourth GUI comprising an email body keyword notification; and
a fifth GUI comprising an email attachment keyword notification.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The scanning tool of claim 2, wherein the fifth GUI is configured to display a warning message if a file type of the email attachment cannot be scanned for text or if the email attachment comprises embedded images.