Method, device and software product for filling an address field of an electronic message

Abstract

A content, context or the like as entered by a user may be used to automatically evaluate a recipient or recipients to whom the message is directed. A method for filling a recipient address field of an electronic message in a messaging application executable on a communication terminal begins by selecting a content chunk from a content area of said message and deciding whether said content chunk matches a predefined addressee identifier pattern. If the content chunk matches a predefined addressee identifier pattern then the a name portion is extracted from the content chunk. The name portion is compared with entries in a predefined directory. It the name portion matches an entry then a recipient address proposal is created based on an address stored in the directory. That recipient address proposal is filled into said recipient address field of said message.

1 - 17 . (canceled) 
     
     
         18 . A computer-implemented method of improving electronic messaging, the method comprising:
 analyzing a content of a message;   extracting a sender name portion from the content of the message;   comparing the sender name portion with a directory entry;   generating a sender address proposal based on the directory entry; and   automatically filling an address field with the sender address proposal.   
     
     
         19 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 18 , wherein analyzing the content of the message further comprises:
 dividing a content area for the content into one or more content chunks; and   determining that at least one of the one or more content chunks matches a predefined addressee identifier pattern,   wherein extracting the sender name portion comprises extracting the sender name portion from the at least one of the one or more content chunks.   
     
     
         20 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 breaking the sender name portion into name fractions corresponding to respective data fields in the directory entry; and   comparing the sender name portion with the directory entry using the name fractions.   
     
     
         21 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 20 , wherein breaking the sender name portion into name fractions comprises breaking the sender name portion into a prename, a surname, a title, or a salutation. 
     
     
         22 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 18 , wherein generating the sender address proposal comprises generating a sender address list. 
     
     
         23 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 18 , wherein the method is executed at a predefined point of time. 
     
     
         24 . The computer-implemented method of  claim 18 , wherein the method is executed in the form of an email plug-in, a browser add-on, or a mobile messaging application. 
     
     
         25 . A non-transitory, computer-readable medium, storing instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause:
 analyzing a content of a message;   extracting a sender name portion from the content of the message;   comparing the sender name portion with a directory entry;   generating a sender address proposal based on the directory entry; and   automatically filling an address field with the sender address proposal.   
     
     
         26 . The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of  claim 25 , storing further instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause:
 dividing a content area for the content into one or more content chunks; and   determining that at least one of the one or more content chunks matches a predefined addressee identifier pattern,   wherein extracting the sender name portion comprises extracting the sender name portion from the at least one of the one or more content chunks.   
     
     
         27 . The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of  claim 25 , storing further instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause:
 breaking the sender name portion into name fractions corresponding to respective data fields in the directory entry; and   comparing the sender name portion with the directory entry using the name fractions.   
     
     
         28 . The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of  claim 27 , wherein breaking the sender name portion into name fractions comprises breaking the sender name portion into a prename, a surname, a title, or a salutation. 
     
     
         29 . The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of  claim 25 , wherein generating the sender address proposal comprises generating a sender address list. 
     
     
         30 . The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of  claim 25 , wherein the instructions are executed at a predefined point of time. 
     
     
         31 . The non-transitory, computer-readable medium of  claim 25 , wherein the method is executed in the form of an email plug-in, a browser add-on, or a mobile messaging application. 
     
     
         32 . A messaging system, comprising:
 a processor;   a memory operatively connected to the processor and storing instructions that,
 when executed by the processor, cause:
 analyzing a content of a message; 
 extracting a sender name portion from the content of the message; 
 comparing the sender name portion with a directory entry; 
 generating a sender address proposal based on the directory entry; and 
 automatically filling an address field with the sender address proposal. 
 
   
     
     
         33 . The messaging system of  claim 32 , wherein the memory stores further instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause:
 dividing a content area for the content into one or more content chunks; and   determining that at least one of the one or more content chunks matches a predefined addressee identifier pattern,   wherein extracting the sender name portion comprises extracting the sender name portion from the at least one of the one or more content chunks.   
     
     
         34 . The messaging system of  claim 32 , wherein the memory stores further instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause:
 breaking the sender name portion into name fractions corresponding to respective data fields in the directory entry; and   comparing the sender name portion with the directory entry using the name fractions.   
     
     
         35 . The messaging system of  claim 34 , wherein breaking the sender name portion into name fractions comprises breaking the sender name portion into a prename, a surname, a title, or a salutation. 
     
     
         36 . The messaging system of  claim 32 , wherein the instructions are executed at a predefined point of time. 
     
     
         37 . The messaging system of  claim 32 , wherein the instructions are executed in the form of an email plug-in, a browser add-on, or a mobile messaging application.