Variable bayesian handicapping to provide adjustable error tolerance level
AssigneeSymantec Corporation
InventorShaun Cooley
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A Bayesian spam filter calculates multiple handicap values, each of which is mapped to a selectable error tolerance level. Users operate a user interface component such a slider to select a desired error tolerance level. The Bayesian spam filter utilizes the corresponding handicap value for its filtering operations. Thus, the users of the anti-spam program can adjust their error tolerance levels up and down as desired.
Claims17
A computer implemented method for utilizing multiple error tolerance levels during Bayesian filtering, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing, by at least one computer, a plurality of error tolerance levels having corresponding handicap values to at least one user of a Bayesian filtering context;
- receiving, by the at least one computer, an error tolerance level selection from the at least one user;
- adjusting, by the at least one computer, a Bayesian score in accordance with the handicap value corresponding to the selected error tolerance level during Bayesian filtering;
- and
- categorizing incoming e-mail messages using the adjusted Bayesian score.
At least one non-transitory computer readable medium storing a computer program product for utilizing multiple error tolerance levels during Bayesian filtering, the computer program product comprising:
- program code for providing a plurality of error tolerance levels having corresponding handicap values to at least one user of a Bayesian filtering context;
- program code for receiving an error tolerance level selection from the at least one user;
- and
- program code for adjusting a Bayesian score in accordance with the handicap value corresponding to the selected error tolerance level during Bayesian filtering;
- and
- program code for categorizing incoming e-mail messages using the adjusted Bayesian score.
A computer system, at least partially implemented in hardware, for utilizing multiple error tolerance levels during Bayesian filtering, the computer system comprising:
- a user interface configured to provide a plurality of error tolerance levels having corresponding handicap values to at least one user of a Bayesian filtering context, the user interface further configured to receive an error tolerance level selection from the at least one user;
- and
- a memory and a Bayesian engine embedded in the memory, the Bayesian engine being configured to adjust a Bayesian score in accordance with the handicap value corresponding to the selected error tolerance level during Bayesian filtering and to categorize incoming e-mail messages using the adjusted Bayesian score.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.