Patent ID: 7693947

Claim:
A system configured to graphically display message traffic in a geographical context, the system comprising: a communications interface configured to link the system with an electronic communication network; a system data store configured to store statistical information related to electronic communications, data associated therewith, configuration data or combinations thereof; a system processor in communication with the interface, the system data store and endpoints, the system processor comprising one or more processing elements, wherein the one or more processing elements are programmed or adapted to: receive electronic communications having headers, the headers containing source and destination addresses; parse the source and destination addresses associated with the electronic communications; convert source and destination addresses into a geographical position; assemble statistical information based upon at least the source and destination addresses of at least a sample of electronic communications received at the communications interface, and to store the statistical information in the system data store; provide a graphical user interface component comprising a geographical information pane configured to display a geographical map to a user via a display device; a map generator configured to generate the geographical map interface for use by the graphical user interface based upon user input, the map generator being further configured to overlay statistical information onto the geographical map interface to show an electronic traffic flow associated with the source and destination addresses of at least the sample of electronic communications; and wherein the map generator is further operable to separate the electronic traffic flow between two nodes into multiple flows for display to the user, each flow characterizing a different classification of message content.