Email classifier

Abstract

An email classifier gives users the ability to efficiently and easily assign category information to email messages. The email classifier may present a graphical window to a user interacting with an email message. Through the graphical window, the user enters information describing at least one category to which the email relates. The email and its associated category information may be archived for later access.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority from and is a continuation-in-part (CIP) of U.S. patent application, Ser. No. 10 / 653,259, filed Sep. 3, 2003, and entitled “SECOND PERSON REVIEW OF EMAIL,” the disclosure which is incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] A. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates generally to electronic communications, and more particularly, to communications via electronic mail. [0004] B. Description of Related Art [0005] Electronic mail (email) has become a relatively common communication medium. Email messages generally arrive quickly (i.e., minutes or less), unobtrusively, and are cheap. For these reasons, email is used extensively in the modern world. [0006] Although email is often thought of as an “informal” communication medium, email is increasingly being used to transmit more formal information. For example, legal and other professional services are increasingly using email to transmi...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

"The invention provides a method for categorizing email messages based on user input. This can be useful for organizing email messages based on their importance or content. The method involves presenting a graphical object to the user, which they can use to describe the category to which the email relates. The user's information is then stored with the email message. Additionally, an email classifier is provided that allows the user to select a category for their email message when they are typing it. This helps to quickly and easily categorize email messages. Overall, the invention improves the efficiency and management of email messages."

Problems solved by technology

Email messages generally arrive quickly (i.e., minutes or less), unobtrusively, and are cheap.

Some courts, for instance, no longer accept paper filings and instead require electronic filings.

The process of reviewing and categorizing all of the emails that may potentially need to be produced can be a time consuming and expensive process.

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