Patent Application
20150081809
The present invention relates to controlling delivery and access of electronic communications. More specifically, the present invention relates to controlling delivery and access of emails to delegates of the email recipient and sender.
Most of the email applications available today provide a facility to the users to delegate access thereto to multiple other delegated users. For example, an assistant or secretary to a Senior Executive may be provided delegated access to the email application of the Senior Executive. In such a situation, the delegates can send/receive emails from the user's email application and will typically have access to every email in the user's email application. However, the user (sender or recipient of email) may wish to restrict the delegates' access to particular emails that may contain sensitive or highly classified information (e.g., payroll information). Although, the current email applications provide the ability to restrict the access of the emails from the delegates, it is now only possible after the user has received/sent the email. Also, current email applications do not allow an email sender to restrict access to delegates of the email recipients. In the time between receiving/sending the email and marking it as private by the user to prevent access thereof to the delegates, it is possible the delegates may access the received/sent email. Thus, it is desirable to restrict access of an email from the delegates (of the sender and receiver user) at the source of generation of the email i.e. before sending the email.
A method, system and a computer program product of a computer controlling delivery and access of electronic communications is provided which includes providing an electronic communication sender to include a security measure with respect to an electronic communication to be sent to at least one electronic communication account of at least one intended recipient, receiving and applying the electronic communication security measure to the electronic communication to be sent, sending the electronic communication with the security measure to at least one intended recipient, determining existence of one or more delegates of the electronic communication account of the at least one intended recipient and in response to the determination step, preventing the sent electronic communication with the security measure from view by the one or more delegate of the electronic communication account of the at least one intended recipient.
According to an embodiment, the sent electronic communication with security measure is delivered into a pre-designated folder of the electronic communication account of the at least one intended recipient. Further, the security measure may be removed from the electronic communication of the at least one intended recipient and in response to the removal step, at least one of the following steps may be selected and performed: moving the electronic communication with the removed security measure from the pre-designated folder to an inbox folder of the electronic communication account of the at least one intended recipient and making the electronic communication with removed security measure viewable to the delegates of the electronic communication account of the at least one intended recipient.
According to an embodiment, existence of delegates of an electronic communication account of the electronic communication sender is determined and in response the determination, the sent electronic communication with the security measure is prevented from view by the delegates of the electronic communication sender. The sent electronic communication with security measure is stored in a pre-designated folder of the electronic communication account of the electronic communication sender. Further, the security measure from the electronic communication of the electronic communication sender may be removed and in response to the removal step, at least one of the following steps may be selected and performed: moving the sent electronic communication with the removed security measure from the pre-designated folder to a sent items folder of the electronic communication account of the electronic communication sender and providing access of the sent electronic communication with the removed security measure to the delegates of the electronic communication account of the electronic communication sender.
As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, embodiments of the present invention may be embodied as a system, method or computer program product. Accordingly, embodiments of the present invention may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or an embodiment combining software and hardware embodiments that may all generally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.” Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention may take the form of a computer program product, embodied in one or more computer readable medium(s) having computer readable program code embodied thereon.
Any combination of one or more computer readable medium(s) may be utilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readable storage medium would include the following: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. In the context of this document, a computer readable storage medium may be any tangible medium that can contain, or store a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.
A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signal with computer readable program code embodied therein, for example, in baseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may take any of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to, electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. A computer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium that is not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate, propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.
Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless, wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination of the foregoing.
Computer program code for carrying out operations for embodiments of the present invention may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programming languages. The program code may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).
Embodiments of the present invention are described below with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readable medium produce an article of manufacture including instructions which implement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other devices to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide processes for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.
A number of program modules may be stored on the HDD 124, including an operating system 128, one or more application programs 130, other program modules 132, program data 134, and a database system 136. The operating system 128, the one or more application programs 130, the other program modules 132 and program data 134 may be loaded onto the system memory 114 and specifically onto the RAM 120 during the functioning of the computing device 110. A user may provide commands and information through input devices, such as a keyboard, and receive output through peripheral output devices, such as monitor, speaker, printer, etc. (not shown). These input and output devices are often connected to the processing unit 112 through an I/O adapter 140 coupled to the system bus 116.
In a networked environment, the computing device 110 may be connected to a remote computing device 142 through a network interface card 144. It will be appreciated that the network connections shown are exemplary, and any conventional means 141 of establishing communications links between the computers, such as a local area network, wide are network or wireless connection, may be used. In a networked environment, program modules depicted relative to the computing device 110, or its components, may be stored in a remote memory 146. The remote computing device 142 may be a personal computer, a router, a server, a network PC, a peer device, or other common network device.
Those of the ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the hardware in
The electronic communication applications (203, 204), accounts (206, 207) and servers (210, 211) are typically hosted on computing devices (201, 202) as illustrated in
Generally, an electronic communication application (203, 204) allows delegation of rights by the user (208, 209) of the electronic communication account (206, 207) to other users i.e. delegates (212, 213) for example the user's Assistant or Secretary, for sending and receiving electronic communications on their behalf. In such a scenario, the delegates can possibly have access to all incoming/outgoing electronic communications of the electronic communication account of the user. The level of access to the delegates (212, 213) is determined by the user (208, 209).
According to an embodiment of the present subject matter, there is provided a feature in the electronic communication applications (203, 204) to include a security measure in respect of an electronic communication to be sent by the user 208 of the electronic communication account 203 managed by the respective electronic communication application 203 to electronic communication account 207 of the intended recipient 209. The user or sender 208 may select a check box 301, as shown in
The electronic communication with security measure is now sent by the electronic communication account 206 to the electronic communication server 210 associated therewith. The electronic communication server 210 associated with the sender electronic communication account 206 transmits thereof to the electronic communication server 211 associated with the electronic communication account 207 of the intended recipient 209. The electronic communication server 211 associated with the electronic communication account 207 of the intended recipient 209 is configured to detect a presence of the security measure within the received electronic communication by it. This triggers a determination of existence of delegate(s) 213 of the electronic communication account 207 of the intended recipient 209. If it is determined that the delegate(s) 213 exist or are defined, the viewing of the sent electronic communication with the security measure is not allowed by the delegate(s) 213. Thus, the sent electronic communication with the security measure is made viewable only to the intended recipient 209 and not its delegate 213. Alternatively, the aforementioned processes of the detecting the received electronic communication with the security measure, determining existence of delegate(s) 213 of the electronic communication account 207 of the intended recipient 209 and preventing view of the received electronic communication with the security measure from the delegate 213 of the electronic communication account 207 of the intended recipient 209 may be performed by the electronic communication application 204. The configuration of the electronic communication server 211 or application 204 at the intended recipient's 209 end to detect a received electronic communication with the security measure and further preventing it from view by the delegate 213 of the electronic communication account 204 of the intended recipient 209 may be done by including appropriate software codes or modules therein. Preparing and including appropriate software codes or modules to enhance the functionality of a software application is a known skilled in the art.
According to an embodiment, the sent electronic communication with security measure is delivered into a pre-designated folder of the electronic communication account 207 of the intended recipient 209. The electronic communication application 204 may be configured to deliver an incoming electronic communication satisfying pre-defined rules directly into a pre-designated folder instead of a generally default ‘inbox’ folder. Thus, if an incoming electronic communication is detected to comprise a security measure as described above, it may be delivered directly into the pre-designated folder (not shown) of the electronic communication account 207 of the intended recipient 209 bypassing the generally default ‘inbox’ folder (not shown).
According to an embodiment, the electronic communication with the security measure received by the intended recipient 209 may comprise an identifier indicating it comprises the security measure which prevents it from view to the delegate 213 of the intended recipient 209.
According to an embodiment, the intended recipient 209 may be provided with capability to remove the security measure from the received electronic communication with the security measure. The removal may be effected by toggling or removing the aforementioned indicator. Upon the aforementioned removal, the electronic communication with the removed security measure is moved from the pre-designated folder to a default ‘inbox’ folder of the electronic communication account 207 of the intended recipient 209 as well as making thereof viewable by the delegate 213 of the electronic communication account 207 of the intended recipient 209. The configuration of the electronic communication application 204 to provide capability to remove the indicator to remove the security measure from the received electronic communication with the security measure, and moving the electronic communication to the default inbox folder thereby making it viewable by the delegate 209 may be made available by including appropriate software codes or modules therein. Preparing and including appropriate software codes or modules to enhance the functionality of a software application is a known to one skilled in the art.
According to an embodiment, the electronic communication server associated with the sender electronic communication account 206, determines existence of delegate(s) 212 of the sender's 208 electronic communication account 206. If it is determined that the delegate(s) 212 exist or are defined, the sent electronic communication with the security measure is prevented from view by the delegate 212 of the sender's 208 electronic communication account 206. Thus, the sent electronic communication with the security measure is made viewable only to the sender 208 of the electronic communication with the security measure. Alternatively, the aforementioned processes of the determining existence of delegate(s) 212 of the sender's 208 electronic communication account 206 and preventing view of the sent electronic communication with the security measure by the delegate 212 of the sender's 208 electronic communication account 206 may be performed by the respective electronic communication application 203. The appropriate configuration of the electronic communication server 210 or application 203 may be done by including appropriate software codes or modules therein. Preparing and including appropriate software codes or modules to enhance the functionality of a software application is a known skilled in the art.
According to an embodiment, the sent electronic communication with security measure is delivered into a pre-designated folder of the sender's 208 electronic communication account 206. The electronic communication application 206 may be configured to deliver an outgoing electronic communication satisfying pre-defined rules directly into a pre-designated folder instead of the generally default ‘sent items’ folder. Thus, if an outgoing electronic communication is detected to comprise a security measure as described above, it may be delivered directly into the pre-designated folder of the sender's 208 electronic communication account 206 bypassing the generally default ‘sent items’ folder.
According to an embodiment, the sent electronic communication with the security measure may comprise an identifier to identify the sender of the sent electronic communication with the security measure.
According to an embodiment, the sender 208 of sent electronic communication with the security measure may be provided capability to remove the security measure from the electronic communication. The removal may be effected by toggling or removing the aforementioned indicator. Along with the aforementioned removal, the electronic communication with the removed security measure is moved from the pre-designated folder to a default ‘sent items’ folder of the sender's 208 electronic communication account 206 as well as making it viewable by the delegate 212 of the sender's 208 electronic communication account 206. The configuration of the electronic communication application 203 to provide capability to remove the indicator to remove the security measure from a sent electronic communication with the security measure, and moving thereof to the default ‘sent items’ folder thereby making it viewable by the designates of the sender's electronic communication may be made available by including appropriate software codes or modules therein. Preparing and including appropriate software codes or modules to enhance the functionality of a software application is a known skilled in the art.
At step 403, the electronic communication with the security measure is sent to at least one electronic communication account of the at least one intended recipient.
At step 404, before delivering the sent electronic communication with security measure to the electronic communication account of the intended recipients the computer determines existence of delegates of the electronic communication accounts of the intended recipients. At step 405 (yes branch of step 404), if the delegates exist or are defined, the sent electronic communication with the security measure is prevented from view by the delegates. Thus, the sent electronic communication with the security measure is made viewable only to the intended recipients and not its delegates. At step 406 (no branch of step 404), if no delegates exist, the method proceeds to step 407 as described below.
At step 407, the sent electronic communication with security measure is delivered into a pre-designated folder of the electronic communication accounts of the intended recipients instead of a generally default ‘inbox’ folder. Also, an indicator is applied to the electronic communication with the security measure received by the intended recipients to identify that it includes a security measure which prevents it from view by the delegates of the electronic communication account of the intended recipients.
At step 408, the intended recipient may remove the security measure from the received electronic communication with the security measure. If yes, at step 409, the removal may be effected by toggling or removing the aforementioned indicator. At step 410, (yes branch of step 408) the aforementioned indicator is toggled or removed to remove the security measure from the received electronic communication with the security measure, the electronic communication with the removed security measure is moved from the pre-designated folder to a default ‘inbox’ folder of the electronic communication account of the intended recipient as well as making it viewable by the designates of the electronic communication account of the intended recipients. If the intended recipient wants to retain the security measure in the received electronic communication, at step 411, no action is taken (no branch of step 408).
In addition to the aforementioned steps, the following steps may be performed to prevent view of the sent electronic communication with the security measure from the delegates of the sender's electronic communication account.
At step 505, the sent electronic communication with security measure is delivered into a pre-designated folder of the sender's electronic communication account instead of the generally default ‘sent items’ folder. Also, an indicator is applied to the sent electronic communication with the security measure to identify it includes a security measure preventing it from view by the delegates of the sender's electronic communication account.
At step 506, the sender of the sent electronic communication with the security measure may remove the security measure therefrom. If yes, at step 507, the removal may be effected by toggling or removing the aforementioned indicator. At step 508, the electronic communication with the removed security measure is moved from the pre-designated folder to a default ‘sent items’ folder of the sender's electronic communication account as well as making it viewable by the delegates of the sender's electronic communication account. If the sender wants to retain the security measure in the received electronic communication, at step 509, no action is taken.
The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of code, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be noted that, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions.
The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the described embodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain the principles of the embodiments, the practical application or technical improvement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodiments disclosed herein.
