US5325310A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and system for persistant electronic mail reply processing
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1992-06-26
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Granted: 1994-06-28
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Expires: 2012-06-26
Abstract
Abstract A method and system in a data processing system, having a plurality of users enrolled therein and having a number of electronic mail objects which may be transmitted and received within the distributed data processing system, are provided for ensuring a specific response to a selected electronic mail object by a recipient thereof within the data processing system. The method and system include designating an electronic mail object as requiring a specific response and then transmitting the electronic mail object to a recipient. The recipient of the electronic mail object is prompted for a specific response in response to the recipient opening an electronic mail object and is prohibited from performing a selected action until the specific response has been entered by the recipient.
Inventors
- 👤 William J. Johnson
- 👤 Daniel P. Ristow
- 👤 Marvin L. Williams
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 16:08
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q10/00; G06Q10/10; G06Q10/107; H; H04; H04L; H04L51/00; H04L51/21; H04L51/23
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 34
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
A method in a data processing system, having a plurality of users enrolled therein and having a plurality of electronic mail objects which may be transmitted and received within said data processing system, for ensuring a specific response to a selected electronic mail object by a recipient thereof within said data processing system, said method comprising: designating an electronic mail object as requiring a specific response; transmitting said electronic mail object to a recipient; prompting said recipient of said electronic mail object for said specific response in response to said recipient opening said electronic mail object; and prohibiting a selected action until said specific response has been entered by said recipient.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
111 words
A method in a data processing system, having a plurality of users enrolled therein and having a plurality of electronic mail objects which may be transmitted and received within said data processing system, for ensuring a specific response to a selected electronic mail object by a recipient thereof within said data processing system, said method comprising: designating an electronic mail object as requiring a specific response; transmitting said electronic mail object to a recipient; prompting said recipient of said electronic mail object for said specific response in response to said recipient opening said electronic mail object; and prohibiting a selected action until said specific response has been entered by said recipient.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said specific response includes entering data located in said electronic mail object.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said specific response includes entering data attached to said electronic mail object.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said specific response includes attaching a specific graphics image to said electronic mail object.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said specific response includes entering a verbal message, which is digitized and attached to said electronic mail object.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising selecting said specific response required by associating said electronic mail object with an attribute specifying said specific response required from said recipient.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 6, wherein said attribute also defines said selected action.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 6, wherein said electronic mail object is associated with a second attribute, said second attribute specifying a destination address, wherein in response to said recipient entering said specific response, said specific response is sent to said destination address.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 6, wherein said electronic mail object originates from a sender and further comprises returning said electronic mail object with said specific response to said sender in response to said recipient entering said specific response.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 6, wherein said electronic mail object includes a plurality of characters and wherein said attribute specifies that said specific response requires said recipient to type over a selected number of said plurality of characters.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 6, wherein said attribute specifies that said specific response requires said recipient to enter characters that are appended to said electronic mail object.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 6, wherein said attribute specifies that said specific response requires said recipient to enter a selected sequence of keys.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 6 further comprising in response to said recipient entering said specific response, indicating that said recipient has entered said specific response.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 7 further comprising indicating that said recipient has received said electronic mail object.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 7, wherein said selected action includes deleting said electronic mail object.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 7, wherein said selected action includes filing said electronic mail object.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
122 words
A data processing system, having a plurality of users enrolled therein and having a plurality of electronic mail objects which may be transmitted and received within said data processing system, for ensuring a specific response to a selected electronic mail object by a recipient thereof within said data processing system, said data processing system comprising: designating means for designating an electronic mail object as requiring a specific response; transmitting means for transmitting said electronic mail object to a recipient; prompting means for prompting said recipient of said electronic mail object for said specific response in response to said recipient opening said electronic mail object; and prohibiting means for prohibiting a selected action until said specific response has been entered by said recipient.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
122 words
A data processing system, having a plurality of users enrolled therein and having a plurality of electronic mail objects which may be transmitted and received within said data processing system, for ensuring a specific response to a selected electronic mail object by a recipient thereof within said data processing system, said data processing system comprising: designating means for designating an electronic mail object as requiring a specific response; transmitting means for transmitting said electronic mail object to a recipient; prompting means for prompting said recipient of said electronic mail object for said specific response in response to said recipient opening said electronic mail object; and prohibiting means for prohibiting a selected action until said specific response has been entered by said recipient.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
20 words
The data processing system of claim 17, wherein said specific response includes entering data located in said electronic mail object.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
The data processing system of claim 17, wherein said specific response includes entering data attached to said electronic mail object.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
35 words
The data processing system of claim 17 further comprising selecting means for selecting said specific response required, wherein said electronic mail object is associated with an attribute specifying said specific response required from said recipient.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
15 words
The data processing system of claim 20, wherein said attribute also defines said selected action.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
44 words
The data processing system of claim 20, wherein said electronic mail object is associated with a second attribute, said second attribute specifying a destination address, wherein in response to said recipient entering said specific response, said specific response is sent to said destination address.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
43 words
The data processing system of claim 20, wherein said electronic mail object originates from a sender and further comprises returning means for returning said electronic mail object with said specific response to said sender in response to said recipient entering said specific response.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
40 words
The data processing system of claim 20, wherein said electronic mail object includes a plurality of characters and wherein said attribute specifies that said specific response requires said recipient to type over a selected number of said plurality of characters.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
29 words
The data processing system of claim 20, wherein said attribute specifies that said specific response requires said recipient to enter characters that are appended to said electronic mail object.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
25 words
The data processing system of claim 20, wherein said attribute specifies that said specific response requires said recipient to enter a selected sequence of keys.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
33 words
The data processing system of claim 20, wherein said attribute specifies that said specific response requires said recipient respond with a verbal message which is digitized and attached to said electronic mail object.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
29 words
The data processing system of claim 20, wherein said attribute specifies that said specific response requires said recipient to attach a specific graphics image to said electronic mail object.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
22 words
The data processing system of claim 20 further comprising indicating means for indicating that said recipient has received said electronic mail object.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
30 words
The data processing system of claim 29 further comprising in response to said recipient entering said specific response, indicating means for indicating that said recipient has entered said specific response.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
17 words
The data processing system of claim 21, wherein said selected action includes deleting said electronic mail object.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
17 words
The data processing system of claim 21, wherein said selected action includes filing said electronic mail object.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-06-27 | 1997-12-27 | 1998-06-28 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-06-27 | 2001-12-27 | 2002-06-28 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-06-27 | 2005-12-27 | 2006-06-28 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |