Method and apparatus for sending an electronic mail message...

Details Method and apparatus for sending an electronic mail message... Method and apparatus for sending an electronic mail message...

1998-12-17

2001-10-30

Vu., Viet D. (Department: 2154)

Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput

Computer conferencing

Demand based messaging

C709S223000, C709S241000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06311210

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of Invention
The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for providing a centralized electronic mail service for a subscriber.
2. Description of Related Art
Electronic mail (e-mail) is increasingly being used to send messages to people both locally and across the world. In addition, an increasing number of devices, such as conventional computers, alpha pagers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and the like, may receive alphanumeric messages. When an electronic mail message is sent, the sending party may not know which of the many possible device destinations to select, what are the capabilities of each device, etc. Thus, new technology is needed to assist sending electronic mail.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a centralized electronic mail service method and apparatus in which selected portions of an electronic mail message is sent to each of a subscriber's electronic mail addresses.
When a sending party wishes to send an electronic mail message to a receiving party, the sending party creates the electronic mail message along with any attachments using his/her user device and sends the electronic mail message to the centralized electronic mail apparatus. The centralized electronic mail apparatus receives the electronic mail message and retrieves profile information from a profile database corresponding to the receiving party. Based on the profile information, the centralized electronic mail device further determines the receiving party's electronic mail receiving devices to which the electronic mail message is to be sent. The centralized electronic mail apparatus further determines the portions of the electronic mail message that are to be sent to each of the electronic mail receiving devices.
The centralized electronic mail apparatus then sends the portions of the electronic mail message to the electronic mail receiving devices and monitors them to determine if the receiving party has retrieved the electronic mail message from any of the electronic mail receiving devices. If the receiving party retrieves the electronic mail message from any of the electronic mail receiving devices, a delete command may be sent to selected ones of the other electronic mail receiving devices based on the profile information retrieved.


REFERENCES:
patent: 5740230 (1998-04-01), Vaudreuil
patent: 5742668 (1998-04-01), Pepe et al.
patent: 6023700 (2000-02-01), Owens et al.

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