The present invention relates to a system and method to facilitate
efficient and automated processing of messages. A bulk filter is provided
to categorize one or more received messages according to a range of
classification, the range spanning from at least a bulk classification of
values to at least a non-bulk classification of values. A second filter
is provided to further classify the received messages in order to
automatically facilitate processing of the messages. The range of
classification includes a continuum of values based on a likelihood that
the received messages are determined to tend toward or fall within the
bulk classification of values or toward/within the non-bulk
classification of values. Also, the bulk filter or filters can include an
adjustable threshold setting to determine or define differences between
the bulk classifications and the non-bulk classifications. Various
combinations of filters are possible including multiple filter
arrangements, parallel arrangements, cascaded arrangements, and other
arrangements to facilitate filtering and sorting of messages in order
that users can more efficiently process such information in a timely
manner. Applications include the enhancement of classification procedures
for identifying urgent or important email from non-urgent or
non-important email, with the combination of bulk-email filters with
urgency or importance filters in cascaded and parallel filtering
methodologies.