Method for determining e-mail address format rules

Abstract

A method for determining e-mail address formatting rules corresponding to particular domain names, whereby e-mail address data is collected and sorted based on domains. Based on the gathered data for particular domains, a pattern is identified and an e-mail address formatting rule is determined. Format rule information is stored for future use to assist in correcting and directing e-mail messages so that they may be received by their intended recipients. Gathering of e-mail address data occurs by directly gathering e-mail addresses and e-mail address format data directly from entities responsible for the domain or format are derived based on patterns observed in collected address data for particular domains. Data for developing these patterns may be gathered from e-mail address information resident on the Internet, e-mail address information from e-mail address books, or from public e-mail address listings.

Description

[0001]More than one reissue application has been filed for the reissue of U.S. Pat. No. 7,149,780. The reissue applications are application Ser. No. 12 / 333,247, filed Dec. 11, 2008 (the present application), and reissue application Ser. No. 13 / 219,559, filed Aug. 26, 2011. Reissue application Ser. No. 13 / 219,559 is a divisional reissue of present reissue application Ser. No. 12 / 333,247.[0002]This application is related to the following applications: Ser. No. 09 / 629,909, titled SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FORWARDING ELECTRONIC MESSAGES, filed Jul. 31, 2000; Ser. No. 09 / 629,911, titled DYNAMIC ELECTRONIC FORWARDING SYSTEM, filed Jul. 31, 2000; Ser. No. 09 / 629,904, titled E-MAIL FORWARDING SYSTEM HAVING ARCHIVAL DATABASE, filed Jul. 31, 2000; Ser. No. 09 / 648,576, titled REMOTE E-MAIL FORWARDING SYSTEM, filed Aug. 28, 2000; Ser. No. 09 / 751,490, titled SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CLEANSING ADDRESSES FOR ELECTRONIC MESSAGES, filed Dec. 28, 2000; Ser. No. 09 / 750,952, titled SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CLEAN...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

As another example, AOL does not currently allow e-mail addresses with periods, while other providers do allow that kind of punctuation.

A problem arises when someone who wants to send an e-mail message does not know the correct e-mail address of the intended recipient.

If an e-mail address is imprecise, even if only by one character, the message will not be correctly delivered.

Exacerbating the problem is the widespread practice of switching from one e-mail address to another, abandoning the former address in the process.

A sudden and complete changeover is in many circumstances impossible because the community of people who wish to send electronic messages to the user are only aware that the old address exists.

Thus, the user incurs a potentially significant loss of prospective business by abandoning the old address.

Currently, there is no effective means for address correction of e-mail addresses.

Even if the e-mail sender is highly diligent, there are no resources or processes available to identify incorrect electronic address information, and for suggesting corrected electronic address information.

The problem is further accentuated by the fact that extreme competition in internet service providers, and likewise e-mail service providers, results in extremely high obsolescence of e-mail addresses with no means for e-mail forwarding (e.g., closing an AOL e-mail account provides no option for forwarding e-mail intended for that account to a new e-mail address).

In addition to changing domain names, companies may also revise the address name formats, adding further difficulty to proper delivery of e-mail messages.

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