Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for selective delivery of electronic communications to reduce the amount of unwanted email (spam) that is received. An electronic message is not delivered to a recipient until the sender address is verified. If the address is not verified, it can be compared to a database that includes known spammers. Also, records of spamming and forged emails can be compiled and forwarded to an enforcement agency.

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.

Abstract: A method for providing a corrected e-mail address, whereby the domain portion of the e-mail address is parsed and, referring to a domain format rule database, a format rule or requirement corresponding to the domain is identified. A user is informed of the format rule so that the e-mail address can be checked and corrected as necessary. The method also checks whether the format rules have been complied with, and alternative spellings and suggested corrections are determined and provided.

Abstract: A method and system for providing address change notification in an e-mail forwarding system by providing a pre-generated e-mail address change notification to recipients selected during registration in the e-mail forwarding system. The e-mail forwarding system operating when a message is received at an e-mail forwarding computer, the message identifying the first disfavored e-mail address. The e-mail forwarding computer parses the first e-mail address from the message to determine if there is a second preferred forwarding e-mail address associated with the first e-mail address. If there is a second e-mail address associated with the first e-mail address, the e-mail forwarding computer sends the e-mail message to a third computer associated with the second e-mail address.

Abstract: A system and method for dynamically adjusting expiration dates displayed on consumer products, the system and method utilizing an LCD display for displaying an expiration date and messages, sensors for monitoring environmental conditions, a clock for counting back the expiration date, and a controller for determining messages and adjustments to the displayed expiration date based on monitored environmental conditions.

Abstract: A system and method for electronically emulating banking statements and reconciling banking statements using the world-wide-web or Internet. A computer server is provided at a bank site for serving a plurality of remote bank customers. Each customer logs-on to the server using a pre-designated username or account number and a password for authentication. After a successful log-on to the banking server, the customer may request his or her bank statement to be displayed. In the event the customer wishes to reconcile his or her account, an electronic emulation of the bank statement reconciliation form (RF) is presented to the customer. If the RF is not complete with customer account data, then the customer is enabled to add information to the RF. The RF automatically imports data from the customer account to which it is linked. Subsequently, the banking server performs all reconciling calculations associated with balancing the customer account, and reconciled data is displayed to the customer.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for enhancing the productivity of mail processing equipment by forwarding monitored information to a processor system, and proactively generating recommendations to prevent equipment breakdown and system performance by comparing the monitored information with preventative maintenance information and business rules stored in a local or remote processor system. The proactive recommendations not only provide customers with preventative maintenance information, but also information regarding better processes and elimination of business practices that are observed to be potentially problematic. Further, cost-benefit recommendations, and recommendations identifying new customers may also be forwarded to the operator or management as part of the feedback recommendations. These generated recommendations are conveyed to customers responsible for the mailings in order to initiate preventative measures, cost savings, and benefit from improved marketing opportunities.

Abstract: A method for correcting an e-mail message that has been determined as being undeliverable via a remote e-mail correcting computer having a unique e-mail address including the steps of prescribing at least one domain name address in the remote e-mail computer by a subscriber and prescribing at least one format for formatting e-mail addresses intended to be sent to the at least one domain name address. A ser then sends to the remote computer an e-mail message addressed to an intended e-mail address that was determined undeliverable. The remote computer receives this e-mail message from the senders computer that was addressed to an intended e-mail address. The intended e-mail address is parsed from the e-mail message in the remote computer to determine if the domain name address of the e-mail message has been prescribed with the remote computer.

Abstract: A method and system for forwarding an e-mail message intended to be delivered to a first e-mail address to a second e-mail address in the event the first e-mail address is disfavored. An e-mail message is sent from a from a first computer that was originally addressed to a first e-mail address to a second computer that is capable of forwarding the e-mail message to a second e-mail address. The second computer receives the e-mail message and parses the first e-mail address from the e-mail message to determine if there is a second e-mail address associated with the first e-mail address. If there is a second e-mail address associated with the first e-mail address, the second computer sends the e-mail message to a third computer associated with the second e-mail address. If there is not, then the second computer determines if it can suggest a username, or a new sername format to be used for the username associated with the domain name address of the disfavored e-mail address.

Abstract: A method for directing an e-mail message to a correct recipient, the method including identifying a domain portion and a unique identifier portion of the e-mail address. For the domain, a predetermined list of corresponding e-mail addresses, and related information, associated with that domain will have been generated. The identifier portion is compared to the list of e-mail addresses and addressee information for the domain portion. If the identifier portion, or information submitted about the intended recipient, for the e-mail address is found to be consistent with one of the listed e-mail addresses for the domain, a sender of the e-mail message is notified. If the e-mail address is not found to be consistent with any of the known listed addresses for the domain, then e-mail address correction procedures may be performed on the e-mail address. The method may also include an e-mail forwarding capability in conjunction with address correction capabilities.

Abstract: A apparatus for verifying the authenticity of information communicated between a first communication device and a second communication device via a communication network is disclosed. The invention provides for and verifies the authenticity of the communicated information by calculating a checksum of the transmitted information while encrypting the same. The encrypted checksum is convolved with the content of the information intended to be transmitted (document data), thus producing convolved data. The convolved data is transmitted by said first communication device via a communication network to the second communication device. The second communication device is configured to decrypt the encrypted checksum and compute a checksum of the data/document received by such second communications device. Decrypted checksum data is compared with the checksum computed by the second communications device to verify the authenticity of the data/document received by the second communication device.

Abstract: A method for verifying the authenticity of information communicated between a first communication device and a second communication device via a communication network is disclosed. The invention provides for and verifies the authenticity of the communicated information by calculating a checksum of the transmitted information while encrypting the same. The encrypted checksum is convolved with the content of the information intended to be transmitted (document data), thus producing convolved data. The convolved data is transmitted by said first communication device via a communication network to the second communication device. The second communication device is configured to decrypt the encrypted checksum and compute a checksum of the data/document received by such second communications device. Decrypted checksum data is compared with the checksum computed by the second communications device to verify the authenticity of the data/document received by the second communication device.

Abstract: A method and system for forwarding an e-mail message addressed to a first disfavored e-mail address to a second preferred forwarding e-mail address. A message is message is received at an e-mail forwarding computer, the message identifying the first disfavored e-mail address. The e-mail forwarding computer parses the first e-mail address from the message to determine if there is a second preferred forwarding e-mail address associated with the first e-mail address. If there is a second e-mail address associated with the first e-mail address, the e-mail forwarding computer sends the e-mail message to a third computer associated with the second e-mail address.