Patent ID: 7219131
Filing Date: 2007-05-15
Classification: G06Q,H04L

Abstract:
1. A method of sending an electronic message, comprising: receiving and storing definitions of one or more message filters, wherein each of the one or more message filters comprises a rule and an associated action, wherein the rule specifies a match of a subject or body of the electronic message and the associated action specifies delivering from a specified source hostname when the subject or body of the electronic message matches the rule; receiving the electronic message destined for one or more recipients; matching the rules of the one or more message filters to the electronic message; and when the rule of one of the one or more message filters matches the subject or the body of the electronic message, performing the associated action on the electronic message, prior to enqueuing the electronic message for delivery to the one or more recipients, by setting, in the electronic message, a particular source hostname, identified by the matching message filter, from which the electronic message is actually delivered, wherein each of the one or more message filters is associated with a different communication campaign of a sender of the electronic message; wherein each message filter, of the one or more message filters, for a particular communication campaign specifies a different source hostname; and wherein the steps of storing definitions of the one or more message filters, matching the rules of the message filters, and performing the associated action are performed by a message processing system that acts as a virtual gateway for the sender by receiving bulk messages from the sender, processing the bulk messages according to the one or more message filters and dispatching the bulk messages to receivers or recipients using a plurality of different source hostnames as specified by the sender in the one or more message filters.