Message processing system

Abstract

A message processing system is disclosed herein. A client computing device may receive an electronic message from a server via a network and via a forwarding operation on a condition that the electronic message is approved to be forwarded to a recipient. The client computing device may then receive from the server a message that the electronic message is unapproved, wherein the message includes a URL to view the unapproved electronic message and the electronic message is stored on the server with an indication that the electronic message is unapproved. The client computing device may then receive a list of unapproved electronic messages to display, wherein associated with the list are selectable options including to send the unapproved electronic message, to add a sender of the unapproved electronic message to an approved sender list, and to delete the unapproved electronic message.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of electronic message handling executed by an electronic message processing system comprising a computer with an electronic message manager, the electronic message manager comprising program code, database code, and a database, the method comprising:
 determining if an electronic message is approved for the recipient of the electronic message via the electronic message processing system;   forwarding the electronic message, via the electronic message processing system, to a location for receipt by the recipient, if the electronic message is approved;   notifying the recipient, via the electronic message processing system, that the electronic message is unapproved and storing the electronic message, if the electronic message is unapproved; and   providing a list of unapproved electronic messages for the recipient and allowing the recipient to selectively choose from at least all of the following options (i) receive the unapproved message, (ii) add a sender of the unapproved message to an approved sender list, and (iii) delete the unapproved message.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising notifying the recipient via a notification message having a link to network data representing the list of unapproved messages for the recipient. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising allowing the recipient to set criteria to determine if the message is approved. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the criteria comprises a sender of the message being on the approved sender list for the recipient. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising allowing the recipient to change the criteria. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising deleting an unapproved message after a predetermined period of time. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising storing or saving an unapproved message after a predetermined period of time by calling a forwarding procedure. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising notifying a sender of the unapproved message of the message being held and has not been read by the recipient. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising notifying a sender of the unapproved message of deletion of the unapproved message. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein providing the list of unapproved electronic message for the recipient further comprises not using a self-removing message indicator. 
     
     
         11 . An electronic message processing system, comprising:
 an electronic message server comprising one or more computers, the electronic message server configured to receive and store a plurality of electronic messages for a recipient; and   an electronic message manager configured to:   determine, by the one or more computers, if an electronic message is approved for the recipient of the electronic message via the electronic message processing system;   forward the electronic message, via the electronic message processing system, to a location for receipt by the recipient, if the electronic message is approved;   notify the recipient, via the electronic message processing system, that the electronic message is unapproved and storing the message, if the electronic message is unapproved; and   provide, by the one or more computers, a list of unapproved electronic messages for the recipient and allow the recipient to selectively choose from at least all of the following options (i) receive the unapproved message, (ii) add a sender of the unapproved message to an approved sender list, and (iii) delete the unapproved message.   
     
     
         12 . The electronic message processing system of  claim 11 , further comprising an access server comprising one or more computers, the access server configured to generate a display page with the list of unapproved messages for the recipient, the notification comprising an electronic message via a link associated with the list. 
     
     
         13 . The electronic message processing system of  claim 12 , wherein the display page includes a link for setting criteria to determine if the message is approved. 
     
     
         14 . The electronic message processing system of  claim 13 , wherein the criteria comprises a sender of the message being on the approved sender list for the recipient. 
     
     
         15 . The electronic message processing system of  claim 14 , wherein the display page is configured to include a link allowing the recipient to change the criteria. 
     
     
         16 . The electronic message processing system of  claim 11 , wherein the electronic message manager is configured to delete an unapproved message after a predetermined period of time. 
     
     
         17 . The electronic message processing system of  claim 11 , wherein the electronic message manager is configured to store or save an unapproved message after a predetermined period of time by calling a forwarding procedure. 
     
     
         18 . The electronic message processing system of  claim 11 , wherein the electronic message manager is configured to notify a sender of the unapproved message of the message being held and has not been read by the recipient. 
     
     
         19 . The electronic message processing system of  claim 11 , wherein the electronic message manager is configured to notify a sender of the unapproved message of deletion of the unapproved message. 
     
     
         20 . The electronic message processing system of  claim 11 , wherein the electronic message manager is configured to provide the list of unapproved electronic message for the recipient without using a self-removing message indicator.