E-mail messaging system and method for enhanced rich media delivery
First Claim
1. In a multi-user e-mail messaging system interfaced through the Internet and including at least a first user group sharing at least a first server, which first server is, in turn, interfaced to the Internet such that any user of the first user group may send an e-mail message for transfer to an intended recipient selected as at least one of (i) another user in the first user group and (ii) a remote user interfaced to the Internet by a connection other than said first server, a method comprising the steps of:
- after said e-mail message has been originated by an originating user of the first user group, directing the e-mail message onto an e-mail enhancement path;
adding additional content to said e-mail message using the e-mail enhancement path to produce an enhanced e-mail message; and
thereafter, directing the enhanced e-mail message from the e-mail enhancement path to the intended recipient.
9 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A multi-user e-mail messaging system is described that is interfaced through the Internet and includes a first user group sharing a first server, which first server is interfaced to the Internet. In this system, after an e-mail message has been originated by an originating user of the first user group, the e-mail message is directed onto an e-mail enhancement path, and additional content is added to the e-mail message using the e-mail enhancement path to produce an enhanced e-mail message. Thereafter, the enhanced e-mail message from the e-mail enhancement path to the intended recipient. In one feature, the path taken by an incoming e-mail message is different from an outgoing path taken by an e-mail message sent from the first user group. The outgoing path defined to the intended recipient includes the enhancement path.
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Citations
74 Claims
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1. In a multi-user e-mail messaging system interfaced through the Internet and including at least a first user group sharing at least a first server, which first server is, in turn, interfaced to the Internet such that any user of the first user group may send an e-mail message for transfer to an intended recipient selected as at least one of (i) another user in the first user group and (ii) a remote user interfaced to the Internet by a connection other than said first server, a method comprising the steps of:
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after said e-mail message has been originated by an originating user of the first user group, directing the e-mail message onto an e-mail enhancement path;
adding additional content to said e-mail message using the e-mail enhancement path to produce an enhanced e-mail message; and
thereafter, directing the enhanced e-mail message from the e-mail enhancement path to the intended recipient. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. In a multi-user e-mail messaging system interfaced through the Internet and including at least a first user group sharing at least a first server, which first server is, in turn, interfaced to the Internet such that any user of the first user group may send an out-bound e-mail message for transfer to an intended recipient selected as at least one of (i) another user in the first user group and (ii) a remote user interfaced to the Internet by a connection other than said first server, a messaging system comprising:
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means for adding additional content to said out-bound e-mail message;
means for routing said out-bound e-mail message to said means for adding additional content, after said out-bound e-mail message has been originated by an originating user of the first user group, to add the additional content thereby producing an enhanced e-mail message; and
means for directing the enhanced e-mail message to the intended recipient. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 37, 38, 40, 41, 42)
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35. In a multi-user e-mail messaging system interfaced through the Internet and including at least a first user group sharing at least a first server, which first server is, in turn, interfaced to the Internet such that any user of the first user group may send an e-mail message for transfer to an intended recipient selected as at least one of (i) another user in the first user group and (ii) a remote user interfaced to the Internet by a connection other than said first server, a messaging system comprising:
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a first arrangement for adding additional content to said e-mail message;
a second arrangement for receiving the e-mail message, after said e-mail message has been originated by an originating user of the first user group, and for routing the e-mail message to the first arrangement to add the additional content to produce an enhanced e-mail message; and
a third arrangement for directing the enhanced e-mail message from the e-mail enhancement path to the intended recipient.
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36. In a multi-user e-mail messaging system interfaced through the Internet and including at least a first user group sharing at least a first server, which first server is, in turn, interfaced to the Internet such that any user of the first user group may send an e-mail message for transfer to an intended recipient selected as at least one of (i) another user in the first user group and (ii) a remote user interfaced to the Internet by a connection other than said first server, a messaging system comprising:
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a first auxiliary server for directing the e-mail message to a first location, after said e-mail message has been placed en route to the intended recipient; and
at the first location, a second auxiliary server for adding additional content to said e-mail message to produce an enhanced e-mail message and, thereafter, for directing the enhanced e-mail message to the intended recipient.
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39. In a multi-user e-mail messaging system interfaced through the Internet and including at least a first user group sharing at least a first server, which first server is, in turn, interfaced to the Internet such that any user of the first user group may send an e-mail message for transfer to an intended recipient selected as at least one of (i) another user in the first user group and (ii) a remote user interfaced to the Internet by a connection other than said first server, said system further defining an in-coming e-mail message path to each user of the first user group from the first server at least for receiving an external e-mail message originating outside the first user group and directed to one or more of the users of the first user group, an e-mail message enhancement configuration comprising:
an out-going e-mail message path configured for enhancing an out-going e-mail message originated by any user in said first user group, said out-going e-mail message path being defined at least in part between the first server and each user of the first user group, and including at least one different node as compared to the incoming e-mail message path.
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43. In a multi-user e-mail messaging system interfaced through the Internet and including at least a first user group sharing at least a first server, which first server is, in turn, interfaced to the Internet such that any user of the first user group may send an e-mail message for transfer to an intended recipient selected as at least one of (i) another user in the first user group and (ii) a remote user interfaced to the Internet by a connection other than said first server, said messaging system including a firewall surrounding said first user group and said first server, a method comprising the steps of:
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after said email message has been originated by an originating user of the first user group, adding a request for desired additional content to the e-mail message and placing the e-mail message en route to the intended recipient;
directing the e-mail message to a first location inside the firewall;
at the first location, identifying the request for desired additional content in the e-mail message and providing a validation of the request for desired additional content;
forwarding the e-mail message to a second location outside the firewall;
at the second location, adding the desired additional content to said e-mail message responsive to said validation to produce an enhanced e-mail message; and
thereafter, redirecting the enhanced e-mail message to the intended recipient.
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44. In a multi-user e-mail messaging system interfaced through the Internet and including at least a first user group sharing at least a first server, which first server is, in turn, interfaced to the Internet such that any user of the first user group may send an e-mail message for transfer to an intended recipient selected as at least one of (i) another user in the first user group and (ii) a remote user interfaced to the Internet by a connection other than said first server, said messaging system including a firewall surrounding said first user group and said first server, a method comprising the steps of:
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after said e-mail message has been originated by an originating user of the first user group, directing the e-mail message to a first location inside the firewall;
at the first location, adding a request for desired additional content to the e-mail message and providing a validation of the request for desired additional content;
forwarding the e-mail message to a second location outside the firewall;
at the second location, adding the desired additional content to said e-mail message responsive to said validation to produce an enhanced e-mail message; and
thereafter, redirecting the enhanced e-mail message to the intended recipient.
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45. In a multi-user e-mail messaging system interfaced through the Internet and including at least a first user group sharing at least a first server, which first server is, in turn, interfaced to the Internet such that any user of the first user group may send an e-mail message for transfer to an intended recipient selected as at least one of (i) another user in the first user group and (ii) a remote user interfaced to the Internet by a connection other than said first server, said messaging system including a firewall surrounding said first user group and said first server, a method comprising the steps of:
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adding a request for desired additional content to the e-mail message and placing the e-mail message en route to the intended recipient, directing the e-mail message to a first location inside the firewall;
at the first location, identifying the request for desired additional content in the e-mail message and providing a validation of the request for desired additional content according to a predetermined set of rules;
forwarding the e-mail message to a second location outside the firewall;
at the second location, adding the desired additional content to said e-mail message responsive to said validation to produce an enhanced e-mail message; and
thereafter, redirecting the enhanced e-mail message to the intended recipient.
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46. In a multi-user e-mail messaging system interfaced through the Internet and including at least a first user group sharing at least a first server, which first server is, in turn, interfaced to the Internet such that any user of the first user group may send an e-mail message for transfer to an intended recipient selected as at least one of (i) another user in the first user group and (ii) a remote user interfaced to the Internet by a connection other than said first server, said messaging system including a firewall surrounding said first user group and said first server, a method comprising the steps of:
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placing said e-mail message en route to the intended recipient, directing the e-mail message to a first location inside the firewall;
at the first location, adding a request for desired additional content to the e-mail message and providing a validation of the request for desired additional content according to a predetermined set of rules;
forwarding the e-mail message to a second location outside the firewall;
at the second location, adding the desired additional content to said e-mail message responsive to said validation to produce an enhanced e-mail message; and
thereafter, redirecting the enhanced e-mail message to the intended recipient.
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47. In a multi-user e-mail messaging system interfaced through the Internet and including at least a first user group sharing at least a first server, which first server is, in turn, interfaced to the Internet such that any user of the first user group may send an e-mail message for transfer to an intended recipient selected as at least one of (i) another user in the first user group and (ii) a remote user interfaced to the Internet by a connection other than said first server, said messaging system including a firewall surrounding said first user group and said first server, a method comprising the steps of:
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adding a request for desired additional content to the e-mail message and placing the e-mail message en route to the intended recipient, directing the e-mail message to a first location inside the firewall;
at the first location, identifying the request for desired additional content in the e-mail message and providing a validation of the request for desired additional content;
forwarding the e-mail message, after said step of providing the validation, to a second location inside the firewall;
at the second location, selectively adding the desired additional content to said e-mail message responsive to said validation to produce an enhanced e-mail message; and
thereafter, redirecting the enhanced e-mail message to the intended recipient.
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48. In a multi-user e-mail messaging system interfaced through the Internet and including at least a first user group sharing at least a first server, which first server is, in turn, interfaced to the Internet such that any user of the first user group may send an e-mail message for transfer to an intended recipient selected as at least one of (i) another user in the first user group and (ii) a remote user interfaced to the Internet by a connection other than said first server, said messaging system including a firewall surrounding said first user group and said first server, a method comprising the steps of:
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placing said e-mail message en route to the intended recipient;
directing the e-mail message to a first location inside the firewall;
at the first location, adding a request for desired additional content to the e-mail message and providing a validation of the request for desired additional content;
forwarding the e-mail message, after said step of providing the validation, to a second location inside the firewall;
at the second location, selectively adding the desired additional content to said e-mail message responsive to said validation to produce an enhanced e-mail message; and
thereafter, redirecting the enhanced e-mail message to the intended recipient.
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49. In a multi-user e-mail messaging system interfaced through the Internet and including at least a first user group sharing at least a first server, which first server is, in turn, interfaced to the Internet such that any user of the first user group may send an e-mail message for transfer to an intended recipient selected as at least one of (i) another user in the first user group and (ii) a remote user interfaced to the Internet by a connection other than said first server, said messaging system including a firewall surrounding said first user group and said first server, a method comprising the steps of:
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adding a request for desired additional content to the e-mail message and placing the e-mail message en route to the intended recipient, directing the e-mail message to a first location inside the firewall;
at the first location, identifying the request for desired additional content in the e-mail message and providing a validation of the request for desired additional content according to a predetermined set of rules;
forwarding the e-mail message to a second location inside the firewall;
at the second location, selectively adding the desired additional content to said e-mail message responsive to said validation to produce an enhanced e-mail message; and
thereafter, redirecting the enhanced e-mail message to the intended recipient.
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50. In a multi-user e-mail messaging system interfaced through the Internet and including at least a first user group sharing at least a first server, which first server is, in turn, interfaced to the Internet such that any user of the first user group may send an e-mail message for transfer to an intended recipient selected as at least one of (i) another user in the first user group and (ii) a remote user interfaced to the Internet by a connection other than said first server, said messaging system including a firewall surrounding said first user group and said first server, a method comprising the steps of:
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placing said e-mail message en route to the intended recipient, directing the e-mail message to a first location inside the firewall;
at the first location, adding a request for desired additional content to the e-mail message and providing a validation of the request for desired additional content according to a predetermined set of rules;
forwarding the e-mail message to a second location inside the firewall;
at the second location, selectively adding the desired additional content to said e-mail message responsive to said validation to produce an enhanced e-mail message; and
thereafter, redirecting the enhanced e-mail message to the intended recipient.
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51. In multi-user e-mail messaging system interfaced through the Internet and including at least a first user group sharing at least a first server, which first server is, in turn, interfaced to the Internet such that any user of the first user group may send an e-mail message for transfer to an intended recipient selected as at least one of (i) another user in the first user group and (ii) a remote user interfaced to the Internet by a connection other than said first server, said messaging system including a firewall surrounding said first user group and said first server, a configuration comprising:
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means for adding a request for desired additional content to the e-mail message and placing the e-mail message en route to the intended recipient, means for directing the e-mail message to a first location inside the firewall;
means for receiving the e-mail message at the first location, for identifying the request for desired additional content in the received e-mail message and for providing a validation of the request for desired additional content, said identifying means being located inside the firewall;
means for adding the desired additional content to the e-mail message responsive to the validation to produce an enhanced e-mail message, said receiving means being located outside the firewall; and
means for redirecting the enhanced e-mail message to the intended recipient.
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52. In a multi-user e-mail messaging system interfaced through the Internet and including at least a first user group sharing at least a first server, which first server is, in turn, interfaced to the Internet such that any user of the first user group may send an e-mail message for transfer to an intended recipient selected as at least one of (i) another user in the first user group and (ii) a remote user interfaced to the Internet by a connection other than said first server, said messaging system including a firewall surrounding said first user group and said first server, a configuration comprising:
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means for placing said e-mail message en route to the intended recipient, means for directing the e-mail message to a first location inside the firewall;
means for receiving the e-mail message at the first location, for adding a request for desired additional content to the received e-mail message and for providing a validation of the request for desired additional content, said identifying means being located inside the firewall;
means for adding the desired additional content to the e-mail message responsive to the validation to produce an enhanced e-mail message, said receiving means being located outside the firewall; and
means for redirecting the enhanced e-mail message to the intended recipient.
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53. In a multi-user e-mail messaging system interfaced through the Internet and including at least a first user group sharing at least a first server, which first server is, in turn, interfaced to the Internet such that any user of the first user group may send an e-mail message for transfer to an intended recipient selected as at least one of (i) another user in the first user group and (ii) a remote user interfaced to the Internet by a connection other than said first server, said messaging system including a firewall surrounding said first user group and said first server, a configuration comprising:
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a first arrangement for adding a request for desired additional content to the e-mail message and for placing the e-mail message en route to the intended recipient;
a second arrangement located within the firewall for selectively receiving the e-mail message within the firewall, for identifying the request for desired additional content in the received e-mail message and for providing a validation of the request for desired additional content;
a third arrangement for selectively adding the desired additional content to the e-mail message responsive to said validation to produce an enhanced e-mail message including the desired additional content, said third arrangement being located outside the firewall and configured for redirecting the enhanced e-mail message to the intended recipient.
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54. In a multi-user e-mail messaging system interfaced through the Internet and including at least a first user group sharing at least a first server, which first server is, in turn, interfaced to the Internet such that any user of the first user group may send an e-mail message for transfer to an intended recipient selected as at least one of (i) another user in the first user group and (ii) a remote user interfaced to the Internet by a connection other than said first server, said messaging system including a firewall surrounding said first user group and said first server, a configuration comprising:
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a first arrangement for placing the e-mail message en route to the intended recipient;
a second arrangement located within the firewall for receiving the e-mail message, for adding a request for desired additional content to the received e-mail message and for providing a validation of the request for desired additional content;
a third arrangement for selectively adding the desired additional content to the e-mail message responsive to said validation to produce an enhanced e-mail message including the desired additional content, said third arrangement being located outside the firewall and configured for redirecting the enhanced e-mail message to the intended recipient.
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55. In a multi-user e-mail messaging system interfaced through the Internet and including at least a first user group sharing at least a first server, which first server is, in turn, interfaced to the Internet such that any user of the first user group may send an e-mail message for transfer to an intended recipient selected as at least one of (i) another user in the first user group and (ii) a remote user interfaced to the Internet by a connection other than said first server, said messaging system including a firewall surrounding said first user group and said first server, a configuration comprising:
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a first enhancement configuration within the firewall, said first enhancement configuration being configured for adding a request for desired additional content to the e-mail message, placing the e-mail message en route to the intended recipient, receiving the e-mail message within the firewall, identifying the request for desired additional content in the received e-mail message, providing a validation of the request for desired additional content, and directing the received e-mail message to a predetermined location outside the firewall; and
a second enhancement configuration located at said predetermined location, said second enhancement configuration being configured for adding the desired additional content to the forwarded e-mail message, responsive to the validation, to produce an enhanced e-mail message, and redirecting the enhanced e-mail message from the second enhancement server to the intended recipient.
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56. In a multi-user e-mail messaging system interfaced through the Internet and including at least a first user group sharing at least a first server, which first server is, in turn, interfaced to the Internet such that any user of the first user group may send an e-mail message for transfer to an intended recipient selected as at least one of (i) another user in the first user group and (ii) a remote user interfaced to the Internet by a connection other than said first server, said messaging system including a firewall surrounding said first user group and said first server, a configuration comprising:
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a first enhancement configuration within the firewall, said first enhancement configuration being configured for placing the e-mail message en route to the intended recipient receiving the e-mail message within the firewall, adding a request for desired additional content to the received e-mail message, providing a validation of the request for desired additional content, and directing the received e-mail message to a predetermined location outside the firewall; and
a second enhancement configuration located at said predetermined location, said second enhancement configuration being configured for adding the desired additional content to the forwarded e-mail message, responsive to the validation, to produce an enhanced e-mail message, and redirecting the enhanced e-mail message from the second enhancement server to the intended recipient.
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57. In a multi-user e-mail messaging system interfaced through the Internet and including at least a first user group sharing at least a first server, which first server is, in turn, interfaced to the Internet such that any user of the first user group may send an e-mail message for transfer to an intended recipient selected as at least one of (i) another user in the first user group and (ii) a remote user interfaced to the Internet by a connection other than said first server, said messaging system including a firewall surrounding said first user group and said first server, a configuration comprising:
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means for adding a request for desired additional content to the e-mail message and for placing the e-mail message en route to the intended recipient;
means located within the firewall for receiving the e-mail message, for identifying the request for desired additional content in the received e-mail message and for providing a validation of the request for desired additional content; and
means located within the firewall for adding the desired additional content to the e-mail message responsive to said validation to produce an enhanced e-mail message and for redirecting the enhanced e-mail message to the intended recipient.
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58. In a multi-user e-mail messaging system interfaced through the Internet and including at least a first user group sharing at least a first server, which first server is, in turn, interfaced to the Internet such that any user of the first user group may send an e-mail message for transfer to an intended recipient selected as at least one of (i) another user in the first user group and (ii) a remote user interfaced to the Internet by a connection other than said first server, said messaging system including a firewall surrounding said first user group and said first server, a configuration comprising:
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means for placing the e-mail message en route to the intended recipient;
means located within the firewall for receiving the e-mail message, for adding a request for desired additional content to the received e-mail message and for providing a validation of the request for desired additional content; and
means located within the firewall for adding the desired additional content to the e-mail message responsive to said validation to produce an enhanced e-mail message and for redirecting the enhanced e-mail message to the intended recipient.
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59. In a multi-user e-mail messaging system interfaced through the Internet and including at least a first user group sharing at least a first server, which first server is, in turn, interfaced to the Internet such that any user of the first user group may send an e-mail message for transfer to an intended recipient selected as at least one of (i) another user in the first user group and (ii) a remote user interfaced to the Internet by a connection other than said first server, said messaging system including a firewall surrounding said first user group and said first server, a configuration comprising:
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a first arrangement for adding a request for desired additional content to the e-mail message and for placing the e-mail message en route to the intended recipient;
a second arrangement for selectively receiving the e-mail message within the firewall;
a third arrangement for identifying the request for desired additional content in the received e-mail message and for providing a validation of the request for desired additional content;
a fourth arrangement for adding the desired additional content to the e-mail message responsive to said validation to produce an enhanced e-mail message including the desired additional content; and
a fifth arrangement for redirecting the enhanced e-mail message to the intended recipient.
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60. In a multi-user e-mail messaging system interfaced through the Internet and including at least a first user group sharing at least a first server, which first server is, in turn, interfaced to the Internet such that any user of the first user group may send an e-mail message for transfer to an intended recipient selected as at least one of (i) another user in the first user group and (ii) a remote user interfaced to the Internet by a connection other than said first server, said messaging system including a firewall surrounding said first user group and said first server, a configuration comprising:
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a first arrangement for placing the e-mail message en route to the intended recipient;
a second arrangement for selectively receiving the e-mail message within the firewall;
a third arrangement for adding a request for desired additional content to the received e-mail message and for providing a validation of the request for desired additional content;
a fourth arrangement for adding the desired additional content to the e-mail message responsive to said validation to produce an enhanced e-mail message including the desired additional content; and
a fifth arrangement for redirecting the enhanced e-mail message to the intended recipient.
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61. In a multi-user e-mail messaging system interfaced through the Internet and including at least a first user group sharing at least a first server, which first server is, in turn, interfaced to the Internet such that any user of the first user group may send an e-mail message for transfer to an intended recipient selected as at least one of (i) another user in the first user group and (ii) a remote user interfaced to the Internet by a connection other than said first server, said messaging system including a firewall surrounding said first user group and said first server, a configuration comprising:
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a first enhancement configuration within the firewall, said first enhancement configuration being configured for adding a request for desired additional content to the e-mail message, placing the e-mail message en route to the intended recipient, receiving the e-mail message within the firewall, identifying the request for desired additional content in the received e-mail message, providing a validation of the request for desired additional content, and directing the received e-mail message to a predetermined location inside the firewall; and
a second enhancement configuration located at said predetermined location, said second enhancement configuration being configured for adding the desired additional content to the forwarded e-mail message, responsive to the validation, to produce an enhanced e-mail message, and redirecting the enhanced e-mail message from the second enhancement server to the intended recipient.
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62. A computer program arrangement in a computer readable medium for use in a multi-user e-mail messaging system interfaced through the Internet and including at least a first user group sharing at least a first server, which first server is, in turn, interfaced to the Internet such that any user of the first user group may send an e-mail message for transfer to an intended recipient selected as at least one of (i) another user in the first user group and (ii) a remote user interfaced to the Internet by a connection other than said first server, said computer program arrangement comprising:
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first instructions for directing the e-mail message to a predetermined location after said e-mail message has been originated by an originating user of the first user group;
at the predetermined location, second instructions for adding additional content to said e-mail message to produce an enhanced e-mail message; and
third instructions for directing the enhanced e-mail message to the intended recipient. - View Dependent Claims (63)
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64. A computer program arrangement in a computer readable medium for use in a multi-user e-mail messaging system interfaced through the Internet and including at least a first user group sharing at least a first server, which first server is, in turn, interfaced to the Internet such that any user of the first user group may send an e-mail message for transfer to an intended recipient selected as at least one of (i) another user in the first user group and (ii) a remote user interfaced to the Internet by a connection other than said first server, said messaging system including a firewall surrounding said first user group and said first server, said computer program arrangement comprising:
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first instructions for receiving the e-mail message within the firewall after said e-mail message has been originated by an originating user of the first user group, said e-mail message including a request for desired additional content;
second instructions for identifying the request for desired additional content in the received e-mail message;
third instructions for providing a validation of the request for desired additional content;
fourth instructions for forwarding the received e-mail message to predetermined location outside the firewall;
at the predetermined location, fifth instructions for adding the desired additional content to the forwarded e-mail message responsive to said validation to produce an enhanced e-mail message; and
sixth instructions for redirecting the enhanced e-mail message to the intended recipient. - View Dependent Claims (65)
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66. A computer program arrangement in a computer readable medium for use in a multi-user e-mail messaging system interfaced through the Internet and including at least a first user group sharing at least a first server, which first server is, in turn, interfaced to the Internet such that any user of the first user group may send an e-mail message for transfer to an intended recipient selected as at least one of (i) another user in the first user group and (ii) a remote user interfaced to the Internet by a connection other than said first server, said messaging system including a firewall surrounding said first user group and said first server, said computer program arrangement comprising:
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first instructions for receiving the e-mail message within the firewall after said e-mail message has been originated by an originating user of the first user group, said e-mail message including a request for desired additional content;
second instructions for identifying the request for desired additional content in the received e-mail message;
third instructions for providing a validation of the request for desired additional content;
fourth instructions for forwarding the received e-mail message to a predetermined location inside the firewall;
at the predetermined location, fifth instructions for adding the desired additional content to the forwarded e-mail message responsive to said validation to produce an enhanced e-mail message; and
sixth instructions for redirecting the enhanced e-mail message to the intended recipient. - View Dependent Claims (67, 69)
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68. In a multi-user e-mail messaging system interfaced through the Internet and including at least a first user group sharing at least a first server, which first server is, in turn, interfaced to the Internet such that any user of the first user group may send an e-mail message for transfer to an intended recipient selected as at least one of (i) another user in the first user group and (ii) a remote user interfaced to the Internet by a connection other than said first server, a configuration comprising:
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means for allowing an originating user of the e-mail message to add a request for desired additional content to the e-mail message, for providing a validation of the request for desired additional content according to a set of desired criteria, and for directing the e-mail message to a specified location; and
means for performing additional processing located at the specified location configured for adding the desired additional content to the e-mail message, responsive to said validation, to produce an enhanced e-mail message, and for redirecting the enhanced e-mail message to the intended recipient.
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70. In a multi-user e-mail messaging system interfaced through the Internet and including at least a first user group sharing at least a first server, which first server is, in turn, interfaced to the Internet such that any user of the first user group may send an e-mail message, said e-mail message being originated by an originating user and including a body, which contains a portion of the e-mail message viewable by the originating user, and for transfer to an intended recipient selected as at least one of (i) another user in the first user group and (ii) a remote user interfaced to the Internet by a connection other than said first server, said messaging system including a firewall surrounding said first user group and said first server, a configuration comprising:
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means for allowing the originating user to add a reference tag to the e-mail message before the e-mail message has been originated by the originating user, which reference tag is positioned outside of the body of the e-mail message, and for directing the e-mail message, including the reference tag, to a specified location outside of the firewall; and
at the specified location, means for adding additional content to the e-mail message, responsive to the reference tag, to produce an enhanced e-mail message, and for redirecting the enhanced e-mail message to the intended recipient. - View Dependent Claims (71)
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72. In a multi-user e-mail messaging system interfaced through the Internet and including at least a first user group sharing at least a first server, which first server is, in turn, interfaced to the Internet such that any user of the first user group may send an e-mail message for transfer to an intended recipient selected as at least one of (i) another user in the first user group and (ii) a remote user interfaced to the Internet by a connection other than said first server, said messaging system including a firewall surrounding said first user group and said first server, a configuration comprising:
a local e-mail server system located within the firewall and including an e-mail client plug-in for allowing an originating user of the first user group, which originating user originates said e-mail message, to add a request for desired additional content to the e-mail message, a local enhancement server for providing a validation of the request for desired additional content according to a set of predetermined criteria after the e-mail message, including the request for desired additional content, has been originated by the originating user of the first user group, and also for directing the e-mail message, including the request for desired additional content, to a predetermined location outside of the firewall; and
an external enhancement server at the predetermined location for adding the desired additional content to the e-mail message responsive to the validation to produce an enhanced e-mail message, and for redirecting the enhanced e-mail message to the intended recipient.
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73. In a multi-user e-mail messaging system interfaced through the Internet and including at least a first user group sharing at least a first server, which first server is, in turn, interfaced to the Internet such that any user of the first user group may send an e-mail message for transfer to an intended recipient selected as at least one of (i) another user in the first user group and (ii) a remote user interfaced to the Internet by a connection other than said first server, an enhancement server comprising:
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means for receiving the e-mail message, after the e-mail message has been placed en route to the intended recipient;
means for adding additional content to said e-mail message to produce an enhanced e-mail message; and
thereafter, means for rerouting the enhanced e-mail message to the intended recipient.
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74. A computer program arrangement in a computer readable medium for use in a multi-user e-mail messaging system interfaced through the Internet and including at least a first user group sharing at least a first server, which first server is, in turn, interfaced to the Internet such that any user of the first user group may send an e-mail message for transfer to an intended recipient selected as at least one of (i) another user in the first user group and (ii) a remote user interfaced to the Internet by a connection other than said first server, said computer program arrangement comprising:
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first instructions for receiving the e-mail message, after the e-mail message has been originated by an originating user of the first user group;
second instructions for adding additional content to said e-mail message to produce an enhanced e-mail message; and
third instructions for rerouting the enhanced e-mail message to the intended recipient.
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Specification