Message Communication Systems and Applications with Message Lifetime Settings for Automatic message Deletion

Abstract

Computer implemented methods, systems and computer readable media are provided for processing and managing electronic messaging. In one example, a system includes a client interface for enabling access to users of the electronic messaging system. Each user is provided with an inbox for electronically receiving messages and a sent box for electronically sending messages. The client interface is configured to receive an input for setting a lifetime setting for a message that is composed by a sender to a recipient via the client interface. Further provided is processing logic of the electronic messaging system for tracking messages having a lifetime setting and processing logic for deleting a message having a lifetime setting after expiration of a time period defined by the lifetime setting. The deleting is configured to remove the message from the sent box of the sender and the inbox of the recipient.

1 . A computer implemented method for managing electronic messages, comprising:
 electronically receiving, by a mail server, a message for a recipient, the message being from a sender and identified for the recipient, the sender having a user account associated with the mail server;   identifying, by the mail server, a lifetime setting for the message, the lifetime setting received for the message from the sender, the lifetime setting includes a time for expiration of the message;   sending, by the mail server, a link in place of the message, the link providing access to the message along with information regarding the lifetime setting; and   deleting, by the mail server, the message once the time for expiration of the message has expired.   
     
     
         2 . The computer implemented method for managing electronic messages as recited in  claim 1 , wherein an interface provided by the mail server for the sender includes an indicator for use of the lifetime setting. 
     
     
         3 . The computer implemented method for managing electronic messages as recited in  claim 1 , wherein an interface provided by the mail server for the recipient includes an indicator notifying the recipient of the lifetime setting for the message. 
     
     
         4 . The computer implemented method for managing electronic messages as recited in  claim 1 , wherein attachments to said messages are associated with said lifetime setting of the message. 
     
     
         5 . The computer implemented method for managing electronic messages as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said lifetime setting includes a limitation on forwarding of said message. 
     
     
         6 . The computer implemented method for managing electronic messages as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising,
 assigning a code for opening the message by the recipient.   
     
     
         7 . The computer implemented method for managing electronic messages as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said link enables the recipient access to the message via the mail server when the recipient does not have an account with the mail server. 
     
     
         8 . The computer implemented method for managing electronic messages as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the mail server is associated with an online mail service that provides mail accounts for users, and said mail accounts enabled to send messages using said lifetime setting. 
     
     
         9 . The computer implemented method for managing electronic messages as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the message includes as an attachment a file or a video or a picture or a media file or combinations of two or more thereof, and wherein access to said attachment is restricted in accordance with the lifetime setting. 
     
     
         10 . The computer implemented method for managing electronic messages as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the mail server is part of an enterprise mail system, the enterprise mail system providing mail accounts and said mail accounts provided access to said lifetime setting for messages created via the mail accounts. 
     
     
         11 . The computer implemented method for managing electronic messages as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the lifetime setting is modifiable by the sender after the message is sent. 
     
     
         12 . A computer implemented method for managing electronic messages, comprising:
 electronically receiving, by a mail server, a message for a recipient, the message being from a sender and identified for the recipient, the sender having a user account associated with the mail server;   identifying, by the mail server, a lifetime setting for the message, the lifetime setting received for the message from the sender, the lifetime setting includes a time for expiration of the message;   sending, by the mail server, to the recipient the message along with information regarding the lifetime setting; and   deleting, by the mail server, the message once the time for expiration of the message has expired.   
     
     
         13 . The computer implemented method for managing electronic messages as recited in  claim 12 , wherein said message is opened directly without a link when the recipient has an account with the mail server. 
     
     
         14 . The computer implemented method for managing electronic messages as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the lifetime setting is modifiable by the sender after the message is sent. 
     
     
         15 . The computer implemented method for managing electronic messages as recited in  claim 12 , wherein an interface provided by the mail server for the sender includes an indicator for use of the lifetime setting, and enabling assignment of a code for opening the message by the recipient. 
     
     
         16 . The computer implemented method for managing electronic messages as recited in  claim 12 , wherein an interface provided by the mail server for the recipient includes an indicator notifying the recipient of the lifetime setting for the message. 
     
     
         17 . The computer implemented method for managing electronic messages as recited in  claim 12 , wherein attachments to said messages are associated with said lifetime setting of the message. 
     
     
         18 . The computer implemented method for managing electronic messages as recited in  claim 12 , wherein said lifetime setting includes a limitation on forwarding of said message. 
     
     
         19 . The computer implemented method for managing electronic messages as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the message includes as an attachment a file or a video or a picture or a media file or combinations of two or more thereof, and wherein access to said attachment is restricted in accordance with the lifetime setting. 
     
     
         20 . The computer implemented method for managing electronic messages as recited in  claim 12 , wherein the mail server is part of an enterprise mail system, the enterprise mail system providing mail accounts and said mail accounts provided access to said lifetime setting for messages created via the mail accounts.