Here's a patent that I missed in earlier listings. It covers white
lists, etc. as well as parental controls (i.e. lists of allowed
correspondents).
See: http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?patentnumber=6393464
United States Patent 6,393,464
Dieterman May 21, 2002
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Method for controlling the delivery of electronic mail messages
Abstract
The present disclosure discloses a method for controlling the delivery
of electronic mail. The method comprises the steps of: creating an
allowed list of electronic addresses with which the user is permitted to
freely exchange messages; categorizing as authorized each message that
is sent to or received from an entity whose address is included on the
list; categorizing as unauthorized each message that is sent to or
received from an entity whose electronic address is not included in the
list; transmitting authorized outgoing messages to their intended
recipients; allowing the user to access the contents of authorized
received messages. Also disclosed is a method for allowing an
administrator to selectively approve messages which are sent to or
received from entities whose electronic addresses do not appear on the
allowed list.
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Inventors: Dieterman; Jude Gerard (Naperville, IL)
Assignee: Unbound Communications, Inc. (Wheeling, IL)
Appl. No.: 309219
Filed: June 10, 1999
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