US5418908A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System for automatically establishing a link between an electronic mail item and a remotely stored reference through a place mark inserted into the item
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1992-10-15
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Granted: 1995-05-23
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Expires: 2012-10-15
Abstract
Abstract The present invention allows the inclusion of a place mark in an electronic mail item. The place mark serves to identify and link an on-line reference to the mail item. When a user sends the mail item to a recipient, the place mark but not the reference goes with the item. Upon receipt, the recipient may select the place mark during review of the mail item and the on-line reference will be automatically called and displayed. Upon completing review of the reference, the recipient may transfer control from the on-line reference to the mail item without having to back out of the reference and then initiate the electronic mail.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert S. Keller
- 👤 William R. Sterrett
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 06:03
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q10/00; G06Q10/10; G06Q10/107
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
219 words
A method of electronically linking an electronic mail item in a computer system to a remotely stored reference available from a separate on-line publication service, comprising the steps of: inserting a symbol to represent a place mark into the electronic mail item on a first terminal of the computer system, said symbol indicating a desired location in the mail item for a user to view the remotely stored reference; entering predefined reference identification information into said place mark in order to establish an electronic link from the electronic mail item to the separate on-line publication service and the remotely stored reference thereon through said place mark; transmitting said electronic mail item, said symbol, and said place mark but not the remotely stored reference from said first terminal of the computer system to at least a second terminal of the computer system; selecting said symbol in the electronic mail item on said at least a second terminal of the computer system; automatically connecting and searching the separate on-line publication service for the remotely stored reference based upon the predefined reference identification information in said place mark; displaying the remotely stored reference on said at least a second terminal of the computer system; and returning control to the electronic mail item by closing said remotely stored reference-upon completion of review thereof.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
219 words
A method of electronically linking an electronic mail item in a computer system to a remotely stored reference available from a separate on-line publication service, comprising the steps of: inserting a symbol to represent a place mark into the electronic mail item on a first terminal of the computer system, said symbol indicating a desired location in the mail item for a user to view the remotely stored reference; entering predefined reference identification information into said place mark in order to establish an electronic link from the electronic mail item to the separate on-line publication service and the remotely stored reference thereon through said place mark; transmitting said electronic mail item, said symbol, and said place mark but not the remotely stored reference from said first terminal of the computer system to at least a second terminal of the computer system; selecting said symbol in the electronic mail item on said at least a second terminal of the computer system; automatically connecting and searching the separate on-line publication service for the remotely stored reference based upon the predefined reference identification information in said place mark; displaying the remotely stored reference on said at least a second terminal of the computer system; and returning control to the electronic mail item by closing said remotely stored reference-upon completion of review thereof.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
231 words
A system for electronically linking an electronic mail item in a computer system to a remotely stored reference available from a separate on-line publication service, comprising: means for inserting a symbol to represent a place mark into the electronic mail item on a first terminal of the computer system, said symbol indicating a desired location in the mail item for a user to view the remotely stored reference; means for entering predefined reference identification information into said place mark in order to establish an electronic link from the electronic mail item to the separate on-line publication service and the remotely stored reference thereon through said place mark; means for transmitting said electronic mail item, said symbol, and said place mark but not the remotely stored reference from said first terminal of the computer system to at least a second terminal of the computer system; means for selecting said symbol in the electronic mail item on said at least a second terminal of the computer system; means for automatically connecting and searching the separate on-line publication service for the remotely stored reference based upon the predefined reference identification information in said place mark; means for displaying the remotely stored reference on said at least a second terminal of the computer system; and means for returning control to the electronic mail item by closing said remotely stored reference upon completion of review thereof.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
231 words
A system for electronically linking an electronic mail item in a computer system to a remotely stored reference available from a separate on-line publication service, comprising: means for inserting a symbol to represent a place mark into the electronic mail item on a first terminal of the computer system, said symbol indicating a desired location in the mail item for a user to view the remotely stored reference; means for entering predefined reference identification information into said place mark in order to establish an electronic link from the electronic mail item to the separate on-line publication service and the remotely stored reference thereon through said place mark; means for transmitting said electronic mail item, said symbol, and said place mark but not the remotely stored reference from said first terminal of the computer system to at least a second terminal of the computer system; means for selecting said symbol in the electronic mail item on said at least a second terminal of the computer system; means for automatically connecting and searching the separate on-line publication service for the remotely stored reference based upon the predefined reference identification information in said place mark; means for displaying the remotely stored reference on said at least a second terminal of the computer system; and means for returning control to the electronic mail item by closing said remotely stored reference upon completion of review thereof.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-05-22 | 1998-11-21 | 1999-05-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-05-22 | 2002-11-21 | 2003-05-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-05-22 | 2006-11-21 | 2007-05-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |