System and Method for Avoiding Loops in Automatic Message Processing

摘要

Loop avoidance information is added to messages to determine whether a messaging application had previously processed a message. Loop avoidance information can be added to messages as they are received in an added header field (such as a message identifier and user identifier) prior to storage. The information can be signed by the inserting application. If the application sees the information in the header of a subsequently received message, appropriate action may be taken to abort processing of the message. This is particularly useful in downloading from POP accounts. Similar loop avoidance information (which might include the destination address) can be added as a message is being automatically forwarded. In a subsequent forwarding, the application could determine that it had previously forwarded the message and should abort the current forwarding. The loop avoidance information can be stored locally for subsequent fast look up.

主权项

1. A method of avoiding message loops, comprising:
at a message client system including one or more processors and memory:
retrieving from a message server a first portion of a message stored at the message server;prior to retrieving a second portion of the message, determining the existence of loop avoidance information previously created by the message client system in the first portion; andautomatically, without user intervention:
in accordance with a determination that a first condition is satisfied, retrieving the second portion of the message; andin accordance with a determination that a second condition is satisfied, forgoing retrieval of the second portion of the message.