US6360221B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for the production, delivery, and receipt of enhanced e-mail
Assignee: Google LLC
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Filing: 1999-09-21
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Granted: 2002-03-19
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Expires: 2019-09-21
Abstract
Abstract A method for providing an e-mail system including providing a server connected to a network; inputting a message from a sender into the server to be sent as e-mail to at least one recipient mail box on the network; enhancing the e-mail message with a self-executing programmable enhancement; and delivering the e-mail over the network to the at least one recipient mail box. Optionally, the method may provide a number of e-mail boxes on the server assigned to a number of members for the receipt of e-mail addressed to the members at the server, and a menu listing a number of the self-executing programmable enhancements. An e-mail system including a server coupled to a wide area network, and a web site hosted by the server that is capable of at least temporarily storing a message to be sent as e-mail over the wide area network to at least one recipient mail box. The web site provides at least one process for enhancing the message with a self-executing programmable enhancement and information of an advertising nature to create an enhanced e-mail message. The web site further preferably includes at least one mail box associated with at least one member, whereby the member may receive e-mail in the mail box. The information of an advertising nature can include, for example, advertising banners, buttons providing a hyperlink to an advertiser's web site, a part of the self-executing programmable enhancement.
Inventors
- 👤 Michael L. Gough
- 👤 James J. Gough
- 👤 Paul L. Hickman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 23:20
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q30/00; G06Q30/02; G06Q30/0241; G06Q30/0273; A; A63; A63F; A63F3/00; A63F3/02; G06F; G06F40/00; G06F40/10; G06F40/12; G06F40/14; G06F40/143; G06Q30/0277; H; H04; H04L; H04L51/00; H04L51/04; H04L51/046; H04L51/07; H04L51/08; H04L51/18; H04L51/42; H04L67/00; H04L67/01; G06Q10/00; G06Q10/10; G06Q10/107; H04L41/00; H04L41/02; H04L41/0246; H04L41/026
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 34
Claim 1
Independent Claim
106 words
A method for providing an e-mail system comprising: providing a server connected to a network; inputting a message including text from a sender into said server to be sent as e-mail to at least one recipient mail box on said network; enhancing said e-mail message with a self-executing programmable enhancement to create an enhanced e-mail including a combination of said text and said self-executing program; and delivering said enhanced e-mail over said network to said at least one recipient mail box such that opening said enhanced e-mail causes the display of said text and an output of said self-executing program within a common body portion thereof.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
106 words
A method for providing an e-mail system comprising: providing a server connected to a network; inputting a message including text from a sender into said server to be sent as e-mail to at least one recipient mail box on said network; enhancing said e-mail message with a self-executing programmable enhancement to create an enhanced e-mail including a combination of said text and said self-executing program; and delivering said enhanced e-mail over said network to said at least one recipient mail box such that opening said enhanced e-mail causes the display of said text and an output of said self-executing program within a common body portion thereof.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method as recited in claim 1 further comprising providing a plurality of e-mail boxes on said server assigned to a plurality of members for the receipt of e-mail addressed to said members at said server.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as recited in claim 1 further comprising providing a menu listing plurality of said self-executing programmable enhancements.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method as recited in claim 3 further comprising member services provided for said plurality of members.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as recited in claim 4 wherein said member services includes the ability to add and edit member account information.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method as recited in claim 4 wherein said member services includ es the ability to concentrate e-mail messages on said server for a member from other e-mail boxes on said network that are assigned to said member.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as recited in claim 4 wherein said member servers includes the ability to add and edit address list information.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method as recited in claim 4 wherein said member services includes the ability to add and edit distribution list information.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method as recited in claim 4 wherein said members services includes the ability to send videomail due to said self-executing program.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method as recited in claim 1 wherein said network is a TCP/IP protocol network, and wherein said self-executing programmable enhancement includes HTML.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method as recited in claim 10 wherein said HTML includes at least one Java Applet or the like.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as recited in claim 10 wherein said HTML includes a plurality of web pages.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method as recited in claim 12 wherein said plurality of web pages comprise at least a portion of a web site that has been pushed to said at least one recipient.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method as recited in claim 11 wherein said Applet is operative to open a Java window or the like.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method as recited in claim 14 wherein said Java window or the like comprises a Web Browser capable of accessing web pages on said network.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
31 words
A method as recited in claim 14 wherein said Java window or the like provides at least one of an audio and visual link to a recorded message on said server.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
107 words
A method for providing an e-mail service comprising: providing a website capable of sending e-mail to at least one recipient mail box; enhancing a message including text of a sender with a self-executing programmable enhancement to create an enhanced e-mail including a combination of said text and said self-executing program and associated information of an advertising nature; and e-mailing said enhanced e-mail message to said at least one recipient mail box such that opening said enhanced e-mail causes the display of said text and an output of said self-executing program within a common body portion thereof and the display of said associated information of an advertising nature.
Claim 19
Independent Claim
107 words
A method for providing an e-mail service comprising: providing a website capable of sending e-mail to at least one recipient mail box; enhancing a message including text of a sender with a self-executing programmable enhancement to create an enhanced e-mail including a combination of said text and said self-executing program and associated information of an advertising nature; and e-mailing said enhanced e-mail message to said at least one recipient mail box such that opening said enhanced e-mail causes the display of said text and an output of said self-executing program within a common body portion thereof and the display of said associated information of an advertising nature.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method for providing an e-mail service as recited in claim 17 wherein said information of an advertising nature includes at least one advertising banner.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method for providing an e-mail service as recited in claim 17 wherein said information of an advertising nature includes at least one button providing a hyperlink to an advertiser's web site.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method for providing an e-mail service as recited in claim 17 wherein said self-executing programmable enhancement is capable of interactivity with a recipient of said enhanced e-mail.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
139 words
An e-mail system comprising: a server coupled to a wide area network; and a web site hosted by said server that is capable of at least temporarily storing a message including text to be sent as e-mail over said wide area network to at least one recipient mail box, said web site providing at least one process for enhancing said message with a self-executing programmable enhancement to create an enhanced e-mail including a combination of said text and said self-executing program and associated information of an advertising nature, and for e-mailing said enhanced e-mail message to said at least one recipient mail box such that opening said enhanced e-mail causes the display of said text and an output of said self-executing program within a common body portion thereof and the display of said associated information of an advertising nature.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
139 words
An e-mail system comprising: a server coupled to a wide area network; and a web site hosted by said server that is capable of at least temporarily storing a message including text to be sent as e-mail over said wide area network to at least one recipient mail box, said web site providing at least one process for enhancing said message with a self-executing programmable enhancement to create an enhanced e-mail including a combination of said text and said self-executing program and associated information of an advertising nature, and for e-mailing said enhanced e-mail message to said at least one recipient mail box such that opening said enhanced e-mail causes the display of said text and an output of said self-executing program within a common body portion thereof and the display of said associated information of an advertising nature.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
35 words
An e-mail system as recited in claim 21 wherein said web site further includes at least one mail box associated with at least one member, whereby said member may receive e-mail in said mail box.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
17 words
An e-mail system as recited in claim 21 wherein said self-executing programmable enhancement interacts with said message.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
39 words
An e-mail system as recited in claim 21 further comprising at least one of an audio and a visual recording stored on said server that is adapted to be automatically played upon an opening of said enhanced e-mail message.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
30 words
An e-mail system as recited in claim 21 further comprising pushing at least a portion of a web site to a recipient as a part of said enhanced e-mail message.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
17 words
An e-mail system as recited in claim 21 wherein said enhanced e-mail message includes a network browser.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
21 words
An e-mail system as recited in claim 21 wherein said information of an advertising nature includes at least one advertising banner.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
28 words
An e-mail system as recited in claim 21 wherein said information of an advertising nature includes at least one button providing a hyperlink to an advertiser web site.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
23 words
An e-mail system as recited in claim 21 wherein said information of an advertising nature is a part of said self-executing programmable enhancement.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
25 words
An e-mail system as recited in claim 21 wherein said enhanced e-mail message is capable of interactivity with a recipient of said enhanced e-mail message.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
31 words
An e-mail system as recited in claim 30 wherein said enhanced e-mail message may be forwarded by a forwarding recipient to another recipient's mail box with input from the forwarding recipient.
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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) | 2005-03-18 | 2005-09-17 | 2006-03-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-03-18 | 2009-09-17 | 2010-03-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-03-18 | 2013-09-17 | 2014-03-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |