Patent ID: 6496853
Filing Date: 2002-12-17
Classification: G06Q

Abstract:
A computer-implemented method for automatically generating an electronic mail message from electronic mail messages that are part of a mail message thread, the method comprising:receiving a first electronic mail message with first contents, the first electronic mail message sent to a user; receiving a second electronic mail message with second contents, the second electronic mail message sent to the user, the second electronic mail message part of a mail message thread including a plurality of electronic mail messages; in response to receiving the second electronic mail message, determining whether the first electronic mail message is part of the mail message thread that includes the second electronic mail message; when the first electronic mail message is determined to be part of the mail message thread that includes the second electronic mail message, determining whether the second contents and the first contents each contain contents of a third electronic mail message; and when the second contents and the first contents are determined to each contain the contents of the third electronic mail message, automatically removing redundant mail message contents by generating a new electronic mail message having contents that include portions of the first contents other than the contents of the third electronic mail message, portions of the second contents other than the contents of the third electronic mail message, and a single copy of the contents of the third electronic mail message; and deleting the first and second electronic mail messages.