# US 8,005,899 B2 · System and method for detecting and filtering unsolicited and undesired electronic messages

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- Number: US 8,005,899 B2
- Document ID: US8005899B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 10/803,120
- Filed: 2004-03-17
- Published: 2005-09-22
- Granted: 2011-08-23
- Earliest claimed: 2003-03-19
- Assignees: Message Level, LLC
- Inventors: Brian D. Cunningham
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8005899B2

## CPC

- H04L 51/212: using filtering or selective blocking
- G06Q 10/107: Computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing]
- H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M)
- 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

A sending device locates and stores identifying information for each electronic message sent by the device. A receiving device, upon receipt of an electronic message, locates identifying information for the electronic message and the purported sending device of the message. The receiving device communicates a confirmation request to the purported sending device which contains identifying information for the message. The sending device receives confirmation messages and replies to such messages confirming that the message was sent if identifying information in the confirmation request corresponds to identifying information stored by the sending device and denying that the message was sent if the identifying information in the confirmation request does not correspond to stored data.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method comprising:
generating, from at least a portion of a first electronic message for an intended
recipient, first identification data that uniquely identifies said first electronic message;
associating said first identification data with said first electronic message;
storing said first identification data;
sending to said intended recipient said first electronic message with said first identification data;
receiving on behalf of said intended recipient a first confirmation request including said first identification data and requesting confirmation that said first electronic message was authorized by said originator;
comparing said first identification data received in said first confirmation request to said first stored identification data;
upon determining that said first identification data received in said first confirmation request matches said first stored identification data, responding to said first confirmation request, affirming said first electronic message was authorized by said originator;
generating, from at least a portion of a subsequent electronic message for said intended recipient, subsequent identification data that uniquely identifies said subsequent electronic message and distinguishes said subsequent electronic message from other electronic message authorized by said originator for said intended recipient;
associating said subsequent identification data with said subsequent electronic message;
storing said subsequent identification data;
sending to said intended recipient said subsequent electronic message with said subsequent identification data;
receiving on behalf of said intended recipient a subsequent confirmation request including said subsequent identification data and requesting confirmation that said subsequent, electronic message was authorized by said originator;
comparing said subsequent identification data received in said subsequent confirmation request to said subsequent stored identification data; and
upon determining that said subsequent identification data received in said subsequent confirmation request matches said stored subsequent identification data, responding to said subsequent confirmation request, affirming said subsequent electronic message was authorized by said originator.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein each of said first electronic message and said subsequent electronic message includes one of a text message, VoIP message, or instant message.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein each of said first identification data and said subsequent identification data is derived at least in part: from information contained in one or more of a message header, a message text, and a timestamp, of said first electronic message or said subsequent electronic message, respectively.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said first identification data and said subsequent identification data is included in a message header of said first electronic message and said subsequent electronic message, respectively.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said sending includes attaching said first identification data and said subsequent identification data as an attachment to said first electronic message and said subsequent electronic message, respectively.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said first identification data and said subsequent identification data is included a text of said first electronic message and said subsequent electronic message, respectively.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising:
calculating a checksum for a text of said first electronic message and said subsequent electronic message, respectively; and
including said checksum in said first identification data and said subsequent identification data, respectively.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said receiving a first confirmation request includes receiving said first confirmation request via port-to-port communication; and
wherein said receiving a subsequent confirmation request includes receiving said subsequent confirmation request via port-to-port communication.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said receiving a first confirmation request includes receiving a first confirming electronic message; and
wherein said receiving said subsequent confirmation request includes receiving a subsequent confirming electronic message.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

The method of claim 9, wherein each of said first or subsequent confirming electronic messages includes one of a text message, VoIP message, or instant message.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said responding to each of said first or subsequent confirmation request includes responding via port-to-port communication.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The method of: claim 1, wherein said responding to each of said first or subsequent confirmation request includes responding with a return electronic message.

### Claim 13 (depends on 12)

The method of claim 12, wherein each of said first or subsequent return electronic messages is one of a text message, VoIP message, or instant message.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein said comparing is performed at a device different from a device at which said associating is performed.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein; said comparing is performed at a device different from a device at which said sending is performed.

### Claim 16 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein each of said first or subsequent identification data is an alphanumeric string.

### Claim 17

A system comprising:
a computer comprising a sending module operable to:
send to an intended recipient at least a first and a subsequent electronic message authorized by an originator and first and subsequent identification data uniquely identifying said first and subsequent electronic messages, the first and subsequent identification data distinguishing said first and subsequent electronic messages from other electronic messages authorized by the originator, said first and subsequent identification data being stored for subsequent access, said first and subsequent identification data being generated from at least a portion of the first and subsequent electronic messages;
receive on behalf of the intended recipient first and subsequent confirmation requests including said first and subsequent identification data and requesting confirmation that said first and subsequent electronic messages were authorized by the originator;
compare said first and subsequent identification data received in said first and subsequent confirmation requests to said stored first and subsequent identification data; and
upon determining that said first and subsequent identification data received in said first and subsequent confirmation requests match said first and subsequent stored identification data, respond to said first and second confirmation requests, affirming said first and subsequent electronic messages were authorized by the originator.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The system of claim 17, wherein said sending module is operable to send to the intended recipient said first and subsequent electronic messages that include one of a text message, VoIP message, or instant message.

### Claim 19 (depends on 17)

The system of claim 17, wherein said first and subsequent identification data was generated from information contained in one or more of a message header, a message text, and a timestamp, of said first and subsequent electronic messages.

### Claim 20 (depends on 17)

The system of claim 17, wherein said first and subsequent identification data is an alphanumeric string.

### Claim 21 (depends on 17)

The system of claim 17, wherein said first and subsequent identification data is included in a message header of said first and subsequent electronic messages.

### Claim 22 (depends on 17)

The system of claim 17, wherein said first and subsequent identification data is included in a message text of said first and subsequent electronic messages.

### Claim 23 (depends on 17)

The system of claim 17, wherein said sending includes attaching said first and subsequent identification data as an attachment to said first and subsequent electronic messages.

### Claim 24 (depends on 17)

The system of claim 17, further comprising:
calculating a checksum for a text of said first and subsequent electronic messages; and
including said checksum in said first and subsequent identification data.

### Claim 25 (depends on 17)

The system of claim 17, wherein said confirmation module is operable to receive said first and subsequent confirmation requests via port-to-port communication.

### Claim 26 (depends on 17)

The system of claim 17, wherein said confirmation module is operable to respond to said first and subsequent confirmation requests via port-to-port communication.

### Claim 27 (depends on 17)

The system of claim 17, wherein said confirmation module is operable to receive said first and subsequent confirmation requests as first and subsequent confirming electronic messages.

### Claim 28 (depends on 27)

The system of claim 27, wherein said first and subsequent confirming electronic messages are one of a text message, VoIP message, or instant message.

### Claim 29 (depends on 17)

The system of claim 17, wherein said confirmation module is operable to respond to said first and subsequent confirmation requests with a return electronic message.

### Claim 30 (depends on 29)

The system of claim 29, wherein said return electronic message is one of a text message, VoIP message, or instant message.

### Claim 31

A method comprising:
receiving a first confirmation request to confirm that first electronic message sent
to an intended recipient was authorized by an originator identified in the first electronic message, the first confirmation request including first identification data purposing to uniquely identify the first electronic message, the first identification data having been generated from at least a portion of the first electronic message;
searching a data store, separate from said first; electronic message, for said first identification data;
upon determining that said data store does not contain said first identification data, responding to said confirmation request, denying the first electronic message was authorized by the originator;
receiving a subsequent confirmation request to confirm that a subsequent electronic message sent to an intended recipient was authorized by the originator identified in the subsequent electronic message, the subsequent confirmation request including subsequent identification data purporting to uniquely identify the subsequent electronic message, the subsequent identification data distinguishing said subsequent electronic message from other electronic messages authorized by the originator, the subsequent identification data having been generated from at least a portion of the subsequent electronic message;
searching a data store, separate from said subsequent electronic message, for said subsequent identification data; and
upon determining that said data store does not contain said subsequent identification data, responding to said subsequent confirmation request, denying the subsequent electronic message was authorized by the originator.

### Claim 32 (depends on 31)

The method of claim 31, wherein said receiving a confirmation request includes receiving said first and subsequent confirmation requests via port-to-port communication.

### Claim 33 (depends on 31)

The method of claim 31, wherein said; responding to said first and subsequent confirmation requests includes responding via port-to-port communication.

### Claim 34 (depends on 31)

The method of claim 31, wherein said receiving first and subsequent confirmation request includes receiving first and subsequent confirming electronic messages.

### Claim 35 (depends on 34)

The method of claim 34, wherein said first and subsequent confirming electronic messages are one of a text message, VoIP message, or instant message.

### Claim 36 (depends on 31)

The method of claim 31, wherein said responding to said first and subsequent confirmation requests includes responding with first and subsequent return electronic messages.

### Claim 37 (depends on 36)

The method of claim 36, wherein said first and subsequent return electronic messages are one of a text message, VoIP message, or instant message.

### Claim 38

A method comprising:
receiving a first confirmation request to confirm that a first electronic message sent to an intended recipient was authorized by an originator identified in the first electronic message, the first confirmation request including first identification data purporting to uniquely identify the first electronic message, the first identification data having been generated from at least a portion of the first electronic message;
searching a data store, independent of said first electronic message, for said first identification data;
upon determining that said data store contains said first identification data, responding to said first confirmation request, affirming the first electronic message was authorized by the originator;
receiving a subsequent confirmation request to confirm that a subsequent electronic message sent to an intended recipient was authorized by the originator identified in the subsequent electronic message, the subsequent confirmation request including subsequent identification data purporting to uniquely identify the subsequent electronic message, the, subsequent identification data distinguishing said subsequent electronic message from other electronic messages authorized by the originator, the subsequent identification data having been generated from at least a portion of the subsequent electronic message;
searching a data store, independent of said subsequent electronic message, for said subsequent identification data; and
upon determining that said data store contains said subsequent identification data, responding to said subsequent confirmation request, affirming the subsequent electronic message was authorized by the originator.

### Claim 39 (depends on 38)

The method of claim 38, wherein said receiving first and subsequent confirmation requests includes receiving said first and subsequent confirmation requests via port-to-port communication.

### Claim 40 (depends on 38)

The method of claim 38, wherein said responding to said first and subsequent confirmation requests includes responding via port-to-port communication.

### Claim 41 (depends on 38)

The method of claim 38, wherein said receiving first and subsequent confirmation requests includes receiving first and subsequent confirming electronic messages.

### Claim 42 (depends on 41)

The method of claim 41, wherein said first and subsequent confirming electronic messages are one of a text message, VoIP message, or instant message.

### Claim 43 (depends on 38)

The method of claim 38, wherein said responding to said first and subsequent confirmation requests includes responding with first and subsequent return electronic messages.

### Claim 44 (depends on 43)

The method of claim 43, wherein said first and subsequent return electronic message-is messages are one of a text message, VoIP message, or instant message.

### Claim 45

A method comprising:
receiving from a sending device a first electronic message authorized by an originator, said first electronic message containing first information identifying the originator, the first identifying information having been generated from at least a portion of the first electronic message;
sending to a confirmation device a first confirmation request requesting confirmation that said first electronic message was authorized by the originator;
searching a data store, independent of said first electronic message, for said first identification information;
upon determining that said data store contains said first identification information responding to said first confirmation request, affirming the first electronic message was authorized by the originator;
receiving a response to said first confirmation request affirming said first electronic message was authorized by the originator;
allowing said first electronic message to be further processed according to rules for processing of confirmed electronic messages directed to the intended recipient;
receiving from the sending device a second electronic message different from said first electronic message authorized by the originator, said second electronic message containing second information identifying the originator, the second identifying information having been generated from at least a portion of the second electronic message and distinguishing said second electronic message from other electronic messages authorized by the originator;
sending to the confirmation device a second confirmation request requesting confirmation that said second electronic message was authorized by the originator;
searching a data store, independent of said second electronic message, for said second identification information;
upon determining that said data store contains said second identification information responding to said second confirmation request, affirming the second electronic message was authorized by the originator;
receiving a response to said second confirmation request affirming said second electronic message was authorized by the originator; and
allowing said second electronic message to be further processed according to rules for processing of confirmed electronic messages directed to the intended recipient.

### Claim 46 (depends on 45)

The method of claim 45, wherein each of said first electronic message and said second electronic message includes one of a text message, VoIP message, or instant message.

### Claim 47 (depends on 45)

The method of claim 45, wherein said sending to a confirmation device includes sending said first: confirmation request and said second confirmation request via port-to-port communication.

### Claim 48 (depends on 45)

The method of claim 45, wherein said receiving a response includes receiving the response via port-to-port communication.

### Claim 49 (depends on 45)

The method of claim 45, wherein each of said first confirmation request and said second confirmation request is a confirming electronic message.

### Claim 50 (depends on 49)

The method of claim 49, wherein said confirming electronic message is one of a text message, VoIP message, or instant message.

### Claim 51 (depends on 45)

The method of claim 45, wherein said response to said first confirmation is a return electronic message.

### Claim 52 (depends on 51)

The method of claim 51, wherein said return electronic message is one of a text message, VoIP message, or instant message.

### Claim 53 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein:
the associating, storing and sending are at a sending module of a sending email system; and
the receiving, comparing and responding are at a confirmation module of the sending email system.

### Claim 54 (depends on 31)

The method of claim 31, wherein the receiving, searching and responding are at a confirmation module of a sending email system.

### Claim 55 (depends on 38)

The method of claim 38, wherein the receiving, searching and responding are at a confirmation module of a sending email system.

### Claim 56 (depends on 45)

The method of claim 45, wherein receiving the first electronic message,
sending the first confirmation request,
receiving the response affirming said first electronic message was authorized by the originator,
allowing said first electronic message to be further processed, receiving the second electronic message, and sending the: second confirmation request are at a receiving email system.