DE10326092B3 - Information categorizing method for information transmitted via communications network e.g. for E-mail management, dividing information into wanted, unwanted and undecided categories - Google Patents

Abstract

The information categorizing method has the information transmitted via a communications network divided into 3 information categories (1,2,3), corresponding to information required by a receiver, information not required by the receiver and information which cannot be placed in either of the other 2 categories, with an acoustic warning provided in response to information placed in at least one of the categories. An independent claim for a communications environment with a communications network for transmission of information is also included.

Description

Territory of invention

The The present invention relates to a method for categorizing from above transmit a communication network Messages and devices for carrying out such a method. Especially The present invention relates to a method and to the same suitable devices to over transmitted a communication network Evaluate messages to determine if they are from one to the other the intended recipient messages are desired or undesirable.

background the invention

In transmission Messages by means of a communication network, it is possible to a receiver or whose users send messages that are not wanted. But their reception can basically can not be prevented when the receiver is in an operating condition, in which messages can be received.

For example can when using a phone when it comes to receiving a phone incoming call, e.g. the telephone receiver is lifted will not prevent unwanted phone calls come. Other examples include those used in a telephone network Answering machines that can not prevent unwanted messages be stored in the form of voice messages. Also at one Use of facsimile machines is it not possible for their users to prevent messages, for example in the form of not desirable Advertising, to be received.

The same applies to computer-based communication networks, including, for example, the Internet and a transmission of electronic messages, especially in the form of e-mails. In such communication systems, it is easy to electronic Transfer messages to any number of users. This is often misused, being called SPAM messages designated emails are used.

In all cases It is necessary for a user to receive all messages received then check if they are he wishes are, for example, from a friend or if they are undesirable, for example, messages in the form of advertising or SPAM messages represent.

Especially in the case of computer-based communication networks, in particular the Internet, it is undesirable undesirable News e.g. to receive in the form of spam messages because Access to such messages, for example activation a so-called computer virus can cause.

at Use of phones with recognition or display of telephone numbers Calling persons, the user must use a displayed Phone itself decide if the call is answered shall be. Is not the user the displayed phone number known, it is not possible to decide if the call is desired or undesirable is. If the call is answered, an undesirable Phone call, the call is not answered, can be a desired Call missed.

at Telephone networks where the phone number of a call used telephone, it is possible the receipt of unwanted Prevent calls. Here are the phone numbers of people and / or telephones from which no calls are answered should, as unwanted Phone numbers set. Is detected when an incoming call that this telephone call is made by a person or a telephone, whose phone number is undesirable has been established, the establishment of a corresponding telephone connection prevented. This procedure only leads to success if that as undesirable to be classified telephone numbers. Unwanted calls, that come from people or phones whose phone numbers are not previously as undesirable defined, for example, because they were unknown or only temporarily undesirable can be classified can not be prevented.

at computer-based communication networks, it is possible by means of additional technical measures undesirable To recognize messages, in particular SPAM messages or comparable e-mails and treat accordingly. It is possible to remove unwanted messages, if they were detected, save separately from other messages, at all not to be transferred or with a corresponding note.

Options, undesirable To detect or prevent messages, there are answering machines or facsimile machines Not.

To clarify the problem, is in the following on computer-based communication networks, especially the Internet, and ver used messages referred in the form of emails.

Around undesirable Recognizing emails, there are various procedures. For example can be checked whether the sender of an e-mail known to the intended recipient is; If this is the case, an e-mail is identified as desired. Further It is well known that the content of an e-mail, such as keywords, to analyze, to determine from the results, whether the e-mail he wishes or undesirable is. Another indication that it is unwanted E-mail is the time sequence with which e-mails are transmitted become; exceeds For example, the frequency of consecutively transmitted e-mails a predetermined Limit, it can be assumed that these are unwanted emails is.

Usually are identified as undesirable from the e-mail inbox assigned to a user Emails saved separately from other emails. These are desirable and unwanted emails provided separately, for example, using separate Directories or folders. Typically, desired emails stored in a first folder, then as the actual inbox is used; a second folder stores unwanted emails. Emails stored in the two folders can still be accessed become. This is also necessary because it is not guaranteed is that all emails stored in the second folder are actually undesirable, even if they were identified as such. Accordingly, a Users also forced emails stored in the second folder to check if They cope as unwanted Emails were identified.

These Procedure does not just put an extra burden on you Rather, it carries the risk of one user for unwanted emails provided folder is not checked and mistakenly in the second folder existing e-mails are not taken note of become. This is especially the case when the usual rules defined by a user, according to which emails are considered undesirable and / or he wishes be identified, meet strict requirements, so emails only then be moved to the first folder if they are undoubtedly desired, whereas emails are not determined with certainty can, if desired are to be moved to the second folder.

Around To avoid too many emails being mistakenly identified as unwanted be moved to the second folder and users accordingly To check the second folder for such emails, it is common for identification of desired ones and unwanted emails to define less strict specifications. Consequently, it becomes more likely that unwanted Emails are not identified as such and therefore the first folder be assigned.

The US 6,161,130 describes a mathematical procedure with which incoming messages can be recognized as spam messages and filtered out. For this purpose, the text of an incoming e-mail message is analyzed for predefined properties, which are particularly characteristic of spam messages. The described filter uses a complex algorithm. According to the US 6,161,130 Among other things, it is intended to classify incoming e-mail messages in a plurality of different folders.

Of the WO 99/32985 discloses an e-mail filter in which reference a so-called "guestlist" emails automatically directed to the "inbox" of the user become. Any e-mail whose sender address is found in the "Guestlist" will become directly into the "inbox", however this "guestlist" must be separate from the user be created and managed.

In US 5,283,856 describes a flexible, event-driven and rule-based mail system.

task The invention is solutions to identify desired and unwanted To provide messages to the identification of messages to improve and users in reviewing received messages in terms of their desirability to support. Referring to messages received in the form of e-mails the present invention particularly the above-described problems eliminate the identification and use of unsolicited emails.

Summary the invention

to solution In accordance with this object, the present invention provides a method at least one over transmitted a communication network, for one receiver provided message is categorized into one of three categories. The three categories are used to classify transmitted messages into desirable and undesirables and in those that are neither desirable nor as unwanted Messages can be identified.

Examples for at The communication networks usable in the present invention include stationary, mobile and cellular Telephone networks, computer-based networks, in particular the Internet comprehensive networks and the like.

In dependence the communication network used can be recipients in the form of stationary and mobile phones, analog and digital answering machines, analogue and digital facsimile machines and computer-based receivers, for Example smart cell phones, portable and stationary computers etc. are used. Unless otherwise stated, is under a receiver a technical device or device in the form of both Understood hardware as well as software.

In dependence the communication network or the receiver used different data to categorize transmitted messages can be. The categorization of messages can be based on information which specify the sender or sender, such as e.g. Phone numbers and e-mail addresses. The categorization can also be carried out on the basis of information that result from a message itself. For voice messages can by means of speech recognition measures Keywords, like For example, the name of the caller and advertising tags, detected Accordingly, to classify the message as desirable or undesirable. For facsimile messages and e-mails, similar information can be provided by text recognition measures.

Examples of data for categorizing the at least one message Data indicating that the at least one message is from a Service providers, such as a telephone service provider or Internet service provider, where the user of the recipient is a customer and, where appropriate, for their Services pays, data in the form of one of the at least one Message associated digital signature optional in conjunction with the authenticity the digital signature indicating certificate and data that indicate that messages from a communication network used serving communication service providers, such as a telephone network operator or an internet provider. Furthermore, in particular methods for protection against SPAM messages, e.g. Frequency measurement, content analysis and header analysis are used.

news are categorized into the first category, for example if Voicemails or emails are transmitted by senders who are in one the recipient assigned address book of a user of the same exist. in the Case of transmitted as voice messages or facsimile messages Messages can For example, phone numbers are used in one corresponding list or can be which is known that usually undesirable News came from there. Furthermore, it is envisaged that the User of the receiver this tells of which senders messages are desired and accordingly in the first category to be categorized. It is also possible this Categorization based on data indicating that transferred News especially for the recipient or whose user is encrypted which is especially true for coded voice messages per Phone and emails will find application.

to Categorization of transmitted Messages in the first category can have strict rules, specifications, Filters and the like can be defined to ensure that only messages in this category are actually desired.

To the Categorizing in the second category can be rules, presets, filters and the like that ensure that transmitted Messages correctly as unwanted Messages are identified and categorized accordingly.

Around the categorizer information such. Rules, specifications, Filter and the like, according to which categorized messages to be, there are u.a. depending on the execution of the Categorizer, the communication network used and the recipient used more options. such Details can from the user of the receiver via this entered and provided to the categorizer. It is also possible such information is standardized for to pretend all users, for example, if the recipient does not allows to enter such information and to the categorizer to convey. It is also possible, such information to one operator of the categorizer on others Way, which is then determined by the e.g. by mail or by telephone The information received is the categorizer accordingly configured.

Messages that can not be categorized reliably in the first and not reliable in the second categories are classified in the third category. This can be done in the exclusion process by assigning each incoming message, which does not fit the first and not the second category, to the third category. It is also envisaged to include these messages in terms of theirs To check desirability, for example to obtain a rating as to whether a message in this category actually belongs in this category and / or represents an unwanted or desirable message.

The Categorization of the at least one message may be prior to a transmission to the recipient carried out become. This can be done, for example, by means of a central, assigned to the receiver Message system, if this is the at least one message receives. Examples of this include telephone exchanges and e-mail servers. So the receiver or a user of the same, the at least one categorized message gets can this in response to a request from the recipient or Control of the message system are provided to the recipient.

categorize the at least one message prior to transmission to the recipient may also be done by means of a central categorization system, which in Response to the receipt of the at least one message by the active central message system becomes. This embodiment allows it to offer the invention in the form of a service, wherein it is not necessary to use a centralized messaging system or to modify a receiver used therewith. Much more become the method steps according to invention performed by a separate system, with the result that categorized messages are received.

Especially When using a central categorization system, it is envisaged that this at least received by the central message system accesses a message and categorizes the at least one message thus obtained. To provide the user with categorized foods, they can from the central categorization system to the central messaging system or transmitted to the recipient become. It is also possible that the central categorization system is the central message system instructs that there are not yet categorized messages according to the categorization made by the central categorization system assign.

alternative it is intended to categorize the at least one message after being received by the receiver and before a possible one Access by the user. The categorization will before a possible Access performed by the user to categorized messages provide.

at this embodiment is it possible that Categorizing messages locally by the recipient carried out becomes.

Of Further, it is provided that the at least one message below Use of a central categorization system, if the recipient who has received at least one message. Preferably, this is the categorization is done, by the central categorization system to those received from the receiver accesses at least one message and the least so received categorized a message. Foods categorized by the user can provide transfer them from the central categorization system to the recipient become. It is also possible that the central categorization system instructs the recipient corresponding to the not yet categorized messages there the categorization made by the central categorization system assign.

Around when using the method according to the invention an improved categorization, that is a higher "accuracy" for desired and undesirable To reach messages, it is possible to use data indicate whether in a previous implementation of the inventive method Messages correct, classified in the third category correctly were. This can be recognized, for example, from the fact that the Users messages that were in the third category, not discarded, but accessed this. Comparable to is provided to determine whether previously assigned to the third category Messages were discarded by the user.

Around to assist the user in managing received messages and any memory used to store messages to optimize Messages of the second category are automatically discarded. This is advantageous, for example, in the case of voice messages that too a telephone with and without answering machine functionality become. If an incoming voice message is detected as undesirable, will the corresponding telephone call is rejected or rejected, e.g. through transmission a busy signal to the caller. The same applies to unwanted facsimile messages; in the case of emails can Corresponding deleted become.

A further assistance the user of the recipient can be achieved by for At least one of the three categories is checked, whether in this category categorized news categorically categorized into this category were.

In a preferred embodiment, probabilities are specified that allow the classification of messages into the respective category rightly done.

at a further preferred embodiment be for the at least one message determines a probability according to which the at least one message is an unwanted message, and the at least one message according to the determined Probability categorized into one of the three categories, or be for the at least one message determines a probability according to which the at least one message is a desired message, and the at least one message according to the determined Probability categorized into one of the three categories, or be for the at least one message determines a probability according to which the at least one message is neither a desired message another unwanted message is, and the at least one message according to the determined probability categorized into one of the three categories.

With other words will for every incoming message calculates a probability with the single message is for example SPAM. After that will be all messages for each considered classified into the various categories, e.g. in the first category, in the second category or in the third Category. The same applies to the designs, at the probability for the determination of another category is chosen as a reference.

at Use of probabilities can be in one of the categories falling messages are arranged hierarchically, so that the User messages with higher Probabilities prior to or prioritized against messages compared with low probabilities.

Preferably the third category comprises at least two subcategories. The Using subcategories in the third category allows To provide third-tiered messages more finely graduated. For example, you can based on the above probabilities, news with higher Probabilities are classified in a first subcategory, while Messages with lesser probabilities compared to that into a second subcategory. Also this provides support the user checking messages the third category, because there is a finer selection in testing News of the third category allows.

Become provide the user with messages via a screen, allows the hierarchical arrangement of messages of one of the categories a corresponding graphical representation, for example, by different Color designs and / or arrangements. Can or should messages not provided in this way can be the hierarchical order of messages in one Category by a corresponding sequence of acoustic reproductions this news and / or in an appropriate order in a memory used to store messages done.

is it is possible To provide messages by means of a screen, it is intended the three categories can be represented by corresponding on-screen Specify objects. Referring to computer-based systems used screens (computer monitors), it is preferred for this Objects called folders and / or directories or equivalent To use representations.

Further is preferred, the categorized messages in different Save to save, each one of the first, second and are assigned to the third category. This is advantageous when as receiver Answering machine or facsimile machines are used to their Users easily access targeted messages to enable different category. Also when as emails Foreseen messages may be stored in individual categories associated memories occur, for example, if the user a corresponding recipient for to Saving emails used memory pecuniary benefits must provide.

In addition or as an alternative to specifying the three categories and / or the hierarchies by means of corresponding objects or displays on screens, it is provided that the categories and / or the hierarchies in other or additional visual manner (eg, color design, shapes, spatial arrangements) and / or Specify acoustic way. For example, messages in the form of facsimile messages may be supplemented with additional data indicating the category. This can be done for example by a corresponding note on a printout of a facsimile message. Also, the use of separate output bins or bins associated with the three categories in a facsimile machine is provided, with a message being provided in the form of a printout in the associated output tray or bin, according to its classification into one of the three categories. Lying news. in the form of messages stored by means of an answering machine, the category of each message can be indicated by acoustic signals and / or corresponding voice messages, for example prior to the reproduction of the respective messages Voice message are generated. For voice messages to be transmitted to a telephone without an answering machine functionality, the categories determined for the incoming calls can be indicated by appropriate voice messages using the telephone and / or by appropriate optical signal, eg by means of three LEDs of different colors.

Of Further, the present invention solves the above problem a communication environment ready to transfer a network from messages, a receiver to receive over the network transmitted messages and a categorizer for categorizing at least one over to transmit the network, for the Receiver provided Serves messages in one of three categories.

apart of the following apply the above with reference to the inventive method made statements in a similar way for the communication environment according to the invention.

The Categorizer may be in the form of a device the one central, the receiver associated with the associated message system. Here and in the following is under assignment to understand that the categorizer as integral integrated component or as separate, with corresponding data transmission connections equipped unit executed is.

Around categorizing messages in the form of a service can provide the categorizer separated from a central, the receiver assigned message system and / or the receiver to be executed.

Further The present invention provides a device for categorization from above transmit a communication network News and a computer program product ready, respectively for execution of the method according to the invention described above and / or to Use in the communication environment according to the invention described above are designed.

Referring on computer-based communication networks and messages usable therewith are as preferred embodiments of present invention implementations in the form of a hardware and / or software component of an e-mail application of the recipient, an implementation within a so-called e-mail server or in a manner associated with it or an implementation in the form of an external service, the above a corresponding data transmission connection on from an e-mail server or the user locally available Memory for Can access emails.

Further is for execution of the present invention, a graphical user interface to use. This can also be used to categorize of transferred Messages to use rules, presets, filters and the like define.

The Graphical user interface can from a the receiver assigned e-mail server (central message system), from a locally on the receiver be executed Software applications or integrated into a website provided be. In reactions of the present invention in the form of an external Service is provided, the graphical user interface from one for this used central categorization system via a communication connection the recipient provide.

Further Features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent the appended claims.

Brief description of the figures

In The following description of preferred embodiments will be made with reference to the accompanying drawings taken, of which show:

1 a schematic representation of the invention,

2 a schematic representation of a graphical user interface for use in the invention,

3 a schematic representation of an application of the invention in a telephone or an answering machine, and

4 a schematic representation of an application of the invention in an answering machine or a facsimile machine.

description preferred embodiments

in the The following are preferred embodiments referring to the Internet as the communication network and E-mails explained as messages.

The present invention, which, as will be apparent from the following, as "3-folder" solution be can be recorded minimizes the time required to identify unwanted emails.

It is known to use methods for identifying different types of e-mail, so-called e-mail filters, in order to filter unwanted e-mails from the e-mail inbox. Unwanted e-mails, also called SPAMs, are usually moved to a second folder or SPAM folder so that the user of an e-mail service finds only desired e-mails in his first folder or e-mail inbox. The emails filtered out by the filter and moved to the SPAM folder are not automatically deleted. The disadvantage here is that all e-mails must be checked in the SPAM folder to make sure that no desired e-mails have been filtered out by chance through the filter and accordingly exist in the SPAM folder. The following example illustrates the previous problem:
A user uses an e-mail address for personal and professional purposes. Every day, the user receives about 100 emails, of which 25 are desired and 75 are undesirable. Assuming the realistic assumption of a probability of about 90% with which an e-mail filter recognizes unwanted e-mails, with a share of about 10% the e-mail addressed to the e-mail address can not be guaranteed determine whether they are wanted or unwanted emails. Assuming an equal distribution of recognition errors of the filter means that a share of 5% of the incoming e-mails are unwanted e-mails, such as SPAM, but are not recognized as undesirable or as SPAM. The e-mails are therefore stored as desired e-mails in the inbox. The other 5% consist of desired emails that are incorrectly recognized as unwanted emails, eg SPAM, and therefore sorted into the SPAM folder.

It This results in the following situation: In the inbox of this user There are 25 emails, of which 5 emails are unwanted emails. In the SPAM folder There are 75 emails, of which 5 emails are wanted emails. To ensure, that he is all desired Receives emails, the user must first check the filtered inbox. There he will find a share of 80% of the e-mails, the desired e-mails are, but also notice that despite e-mail filter a share of 20% of unsolicited emails Emails are. Due to usually systemic incorrect filtering is also of it assume that there are also emails in the SPAM folder that are actually in belong to the inbox. So the user has to check another 75 emails to get the 5% share to find the emails in the SPAM folder that are wanted emails. All in all So 80 emails are to be checked.

These Problem is solved by the embodiments described below eliminated. For illustrative purposes only are particularly discussed Aspects of how emails are provided to the user of an email mailbox and that affect the filtering of e-mails.

It checks whether the emails received are desired emails. For example, this information is used to characterize relationships between the user intended to receive the e-mails and the sender of the e-mails, so that e-mails that are in line with this information are clearly identified as desired e-mails can; So it can be defined as a probability of eg 0% that it is SPAM. Examples of such information include:
Emails from senders entered in the user's address book.
E-mails from sender for which the user has defined e-mails from these senders are always desired e-mails.
Emails that have been specifically encrypted, encoded, or otherwise marked for the user.
E-mails with digital signatures whose trustworthiness can optionally be secured by means of a certificate issued by a certification authority.

It also assesses whether there are any emails that are probably not SPAM, for example, because they can make a positive statement about the sender. In these cases, a low probability of eg 1% can be defined that such emails are SPAM. Examples of criteria that can be used include:
E-mails whose sender is clearly identifiable.
E-mails from paying customers of the server operator.
Emails from very active customers of the server operator.
E-mails created with the frontend of the operator.

Of Further, it is determined which e-mails SPAM is. It can initially described method, e.g. Frequency measurement, content analysis, Header analysis, to be used. Depending on the security, with the SPAM can be recognized, a probability can be defined be that it is a verified e-mail is about SPAM. For example, it is known that emails from a special sender unwanted are, a probability of e.g. 100% defined that these emails are SPAM.

For emails, for the can not be determined with certainty, whether it is desired or undesirable Emails, a probability of e.g. 50% defined will be that these emails are SPAM.

by virtue of the identification of emails, as desired emails, unwanted emails and emails that not sure as desired or undesirable detected, emails are divided into three email folders. In particular, be Here, the respectively defined probabilities used.

The assignment of filter results and probabilities and the limits for the sorting of emails into the respective folders can either be fixed locally and / or centrally and / or be set by the user. In the case described here, in 1 illustrated embodiment, the distribution of emails takes place in the 2 integrated Inbox folder (first category), "Unknown" (third category), and "SPAM" (second category) illustrated in a usable web page for communication purposes as follows:

1. Folder - 1st category - desired e-mails - "Posteinsang"

the first folders are only associated with emails that are highly likely are not SPAM if, for example, a probability equals or less than 1%, the email is SPAM is.

2nd folder - 2nd category - unwanted emails - "SPAM"

the second folders are only associated with emails that are highly likely SPAM are, for example, a probability equal or greater than 90% think that the email is SPAM.

3. Folder - 3. Category - Emails, the neither desired still unwanted Emails are - "unknown"

the The third folder will only be associated with emails that are neither "unique" nor desired emails still "clearly" recognized as unwanted emails if, for example, a probability of between 1% and 90% think that the email is SPAM.

Of the User can then mark emails in the third folder as desired and / or, for example, corresponding sender addresses or comparable Include information in an address book; Emails from so registered Senders will be assigned to the first folder in the future. Further the user can mark emails in the third folder as unwanted and / or, for example, corresponding sender addresses or comparable Provide information to the e-mail filter, allowing e-mails from so sender registered in the future assigned to the second folder become.

Around the exam of the third and, if desired, all folders can facilitate the emails according to the respective Probability sorted and / or color-coded, For example, to prioritize emails with lower probability across from to provide or present to other emails.

Continuing the above example, the following improved situation results:
The first folder contains 20 definitely wanted emails. The second folder contains 70 emails, all of which are undesirable. The third folder contains only 10 e-mails that can not be determined with sufficient certainty whether they are wanted or unwanted e-mails.

consequently the user only has 10 emails left, namely in the third folder check, unlike the 80 to be tested E-mails with conventional Method.

In 3 An embodiment for use with a telephone or answering machine is illustrated. Incoming messages are categorized into one of the three categories as outlined above. In order to indicate to a user of a telephone or an answering machine in which of the categories a message has been classified, display devices AE1, AE2 and AE3 assigned to each category are used. As display devices, different colored light-emitting diodes may be used, which indicate, for example, messages of the first category by a green color (display device AE1), messages of the second category by a red color (display device AE2) and messages of the third category by a yellow color (display device AE3) , The display devices allow a user of a telephone to immediately determine, upon receiving a telephone call, whether it is a desired, an unwanted or a non-desirable or undesirably categorizable call. In the case of an answering machine, a user can use the display devices to determine whether the message being intercepted or to be is a desired message, an unwanted message, or a message that could not be recognized as unwanted or desirable.

In 4 An embodiment for use with an answering machine or a facsimile machine is illustrated. Incoming messages are categorized into one of the three categories as outlined above. To indicate to a user of an answering machine or facsimile machine in which of the categories a message has been classified, memory devices SPE1, SPE2 and SPE3 associated with each category are used. As memory devices, separately executing memories or a memory divided into a plurality of memory areas may be used, for example, messages of the first category in a first memory or storage area (SPE1), messages of the second category in a second memory or storage area (SPE2), and messages of the third category in a third memory or memory area (SPE3) store. The memory devices allow a user of an answering machine or a facsimile machine to access in a targeted manner desired messages, unwanted messages or messages that could not be recognized as undesirable or desirable, since they are provided stored separately from one another.

Claims (12)

A method in which at least one message intended for a recipient transmitted over a communication network is categorized into one of three categories, of which a first category indicates messages desired by the recipient, a second category indicates messages unwanted by the recipient, and a third category Indicates messages that can not be categorized into either the first or the second category, characterized in that for the at least one message, a correspondence of the three categories is indicated acoustically perceptible. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that that for categorization in the second category rules, specifications, Filters are used. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized that a message that is not reliable in the first and not reliable can be categorized into the second category, in the third Category is classified. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that the third category at least two subcategories includes, each associated with a probability, with correctly categorize a message into the corresponding subcategory has been. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that the at least one message in the first Category is categorized when the at least one message provided with a digital signature. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized marked that for at least one of the categories categorized into this category news according to probabilities hierarchically ordered, with the one categorized message assigned probability indicates a probability with this message has been categorized correctly into this category. Communication environment, with: - one Network for transmission of news, - one receiver to receive over transmit the network News, and - one Categorizer for categorizing at least one over the Network transmitted, for the receiver provided message in one of three categories, of which a first category of the recipient desired news indicates a second category indicates unwanted messages from the recipient, and a third category indicates messages that neither in the first can still be categorized into the second category, thereby marked that for the message acoustically perceptible a correspondence of the three categories is specifiable. Communication environment according to Claim 7, characterized that for categorization into the second category by the categorizer Rules, presets, filters are used. Communication environment according to claim 7 or 8, characterized characterized in that a message generated by the categorizer not reliable in the first and not reliable can be categorized into the second category by the categorizer is classified in the third category. Communication environment according to one of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that the third category at least includes two subcategories, each with a probability is associated with a message correctly in the corresponding Subcategory was categorized. Communication environment according to one of claims 7 to 10, characterized in that the categorizer is designed, the at least one message in the first category to categorize if the at least one message with a digital signature is provided. Communication environment according to one of Claims 7 to 11, characterized in that the categorizing means is arranged to hierarchically rank messages categorized into categories according to probabilities for at least one of the categories, the probability associated with a categorized message indicating a probability with which this message categorizes correctly into that category has been.