Multiplex communications – Pathfinding or routing – Store and forward
Reexamination Certificate
1996-12-12
2001-03-13
Vu, Huy D. (Department: 2663)
Multiplex communications
Pathfinding or routing
Store and forward
C370S475000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06201814
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to messaging systems and, in particular, to an improved electronic messaging system for sending and receiving message information among a plurality of users.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Electronic mail (or “e-mail”) message delivery systems as well as voice mail systems have gained significantly in popularity in recent years, enabling information to be efficiently and rapidly communicated to large numbers of people. Such systems allow groups of people to communicate without having to arrange a specific time to meet or talk on the telephone.
The sender of a voice or e-mail message can designate any number of addressees, and can request a reply from the addressees. In this way, for example, a proposal could be sent to a number of people for review and comment, with the reviewers replying directly to the sender of the message.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is an improved messaging system that allows, among other things, greater flexibility in both the way that messages are delivered to a number of recipients, as well as in the determination of the recipients.
In summary, the preferred embodiment of the invention provides, among other things, a “round-robin” messaging system wherein a message is sent to a first recipient, and is then automatically passed to a second, and then to a third, etc., until the message is returned to the original sender. Each recipient has the opportunity to modify the message information (including adding new comments) before the system passes on the message.
Round robin messaging is useful, for example, in having a number of members of a team review and comment on a proposal or document. In preferred embodiments, the author of the original message sets up the message by identifying all members of the team, and the document to be transmitted. The preferred system then transmits the message to the first recipient along with the list of the other recipients. After the first recipient reviews and possibly comments on or modifies the message, the preferred system sends the message to the next recipient along with the first recipient's comments. This process preferably continues until the message returns to the original sender along with the comments, if any, of each recipient.
More specifically, in one aspect, the invention features a system and method for operating an electronic messaging system to transmit message information to a plurality of recipients, the method comprising the steps of: sending a first message including the message information to a first recipient address of a first recipient on a list of recipients; providing the first recipient with an opportunity to modify the message information (i.e., adding to or changing the message information); determining an address corresponding to a second recipient selected from the recipient list; and sending a second message, including the message information with any modifications made by the first recipient, to the address corresponding to the second recipient.
In another aspect, the present invention features a system and method for operating an electronic messaging system to transmit message information to a plurality of recipients, the method comprising the steps of: sending a first message including the predetermined message information to a first recipient address of a first recipient on the list of recipients; updating, after the completion of the step of sending, the list of recipients to create an updated recipient list, the updating being implemented independently of the first recipient at the first recipient address; and sending a message, including the predetermined message information, to an address corresponding to a next recipient selected from the updated recipient list.
In preferred embodiments, the method further comprises the additional step of generating the message sent to the next recipient, including providing the first recipient with an opportunity to modify the first message.
The method can iteratively repeat the steps of updating and sending the second message to thereby transmit messages to a plurality of recipients with the list of recipients being updated after each message is sent and with each recipient having an opportunity to modify the message.
The message sent to the next recipient can be identical to the first message if either no opportunity is provided to a recipient to modify the message or if the recipient chooses not to modify the message.
The method can further comprise the step of sending the list of recipients to the first recipient address such that the subsequent steps can be carried out by a system local to the first recipient (e.g., the first recipient's PC or workstation).
The method can include a step of providing a list of recipients (and updating the recipient list) by accessing a database and selecting recipients that satisfy a predetermined criteria (e.g., individuals interested in the stock market). Furthermore, the method can be initialized by monitoring a database to determine whether a predetermined criteria has been satisfied (e.g., the stock market hitting a new high); and performing the steps of the invention only in the event that the predetermined criteria has been satisfied.
The method can also comprise the step of providing the first recipient with an opportunity to modify the recipient list, which preferably would occur after the step of updating.
In yet another aspect, the invention features a method for operating an electronic messaging system to transmit message information to a plurality of recipients comprising the steps of: sending a message including the predetermined message information to a first recipient address of a first recipient on a list of recipients; providing an opportunity for a current recipient of the message to modify the message; updating the list of recipients to create an updated recipient list, the updating being implemented independently of the current recipient; sending the message to an address corresponding to a next recipient selected from the updated recipient list; and iteratively repeating the steps of sending a message, providing an opportunity to modify, updating and sending the message to an address corresponding to a next recipient to thereby transmit the message to a plurality of recipients with the list of recipients being dynamically updated.
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Weinstein, “The Elm Users Guide,” Elm User Guide, Version 2.4, pp. 1-16, Oct. 1.
AT&T Corp.
Vu Huy D.
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