E-mail messaging system and method for enhanced rich media delivery

• US 20020078158A1
• Filed: 08/24/2001
• Published: 06/20/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/28/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Eloqua Inc (Oracle Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Coldspark, LLC
• Inventors: Brown, Scott T., Wanser, Kelly A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,584,251 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/206
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/063 Content adaptation, e.g. replacement of unsuitable content
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/1101 Session protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/765 intermediate
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99932 Access augmentation or optimizing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99933 Query processing, i.e. searching
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99934 Query formulation, input preparation, or translation

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.

Claims

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.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of directing the e-mail message onto the e-mail enhancement path includes the step of receiving the e-mail message at said first server.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said receiving step includes the step of using TCP/IP socket communication.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein said receiving step includes the step of using direct API access.

5. The method of claim 2 wherein said step of directing the e-mail message to the e-mail enhancement path further includes the steps of

altering the e-mail message, and

directing the altered e-mail message to a second server located on the e-mail enhancement path.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein said e-mail message includes a header section, which contains information regarding the originating user and the intended recipient, and wherein said step of altering the e-mail message includes the step of separating and modifying the header section in a predetermined way.

7. The method of claim 6 wherein said step of separating and modifying the header section includes the step of parsing and temporarily storing the originating user and intended recipient information contained in the header section in a designated file separate from the e-mail message.

8. The method of claim 6 wherein said step of modifying the header section in said predetermined way includes the steps of

inactivating said information regarding the originating user and intended recipient contained in the header section, and

adding an alternate header section containing active information regarding an alternate sender and an alternate message recipient.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein said inactivating step includes the step of adding a predetermined prefix to the originating user and intended recipient information contained in the header section such that said information is inactivated.

10. The method of claim 7 wherein said step of adding the alternate header section includes the step of specifying said second server as the alternate message recipient.

11. The method of claim 7 wherein said step of directing the enhanced message to the intended recipient includes the steps of

deleting the alternate header section, and

reactivating the originating user and intended recipient information contained in the header section of the e-mail message.

12. The method of claim 5 wherein said step of directing the altered e-mail message to the second server includes the step of using TCP/IP socket communication.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of directing the e-mail message onto the e-mail enhancement path includes the step of adding a request for additional content to the e-mail message.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein said step of adding additional content to said e-mail message includes the step of providing a validation of the request for additional content such that said additional content is added to said e-mail message responsive to said validation.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein said step of adding the request for additional content further includes the step of inserting one or more reference tags into said e-mail message.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein said step of providing the validation of the request for additional content includes the steps of assigning a desired set of rules for said validation, and generating the validation according to the desired set of rules.

17. The method of claim 15 wherein said step of inserting one or more reference tags into said e-mail message includes the step of adding a message ID tag for identifying the e-mail message, which message ID tag is unique to said e-mail message.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein said step of inserting one or more reference tags into said e-mail message includes the step of adding a group ID tag for identifying the e-mail message as being sent by said first user group.

19. The method of claim 15 wherein said step of inserting one or more reference tags into said e-mail message includes the step of adding a template ID tag for identifying the additional content to be added to the e-mail message.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein said step of adding the template ID tag is performed responsive to a specified action taken by the originating user.

21. The method of claim 19 wherein said first user group is subject to control at an administrative level, and wherein said step of adding the template ID tag is performed responsive to an administrative selection rather than responsive to action taken by the originating user.

22. The method of claim 15 further comprising the step of recording said reference tags in a database.

23. The method of claim 15 wherein said e-mail message includes a header section, which contains information regarding the originating user and the intended recipient, and wherein said step of inserting one or more reference tags into said e-mail message includes the step of adding one or more of said reference tags to the header section of the e-mail message.

24. The method of claim 15 wherein said e-mail message includes a header section, which contains information regarding the originating user and the intended recipient, and wherein said step of inserting one or more reference tags into said e-mail message includes the step of adding one or more of said reference tags to the e-mail message outside of the header section.

25. The method of claim 1 wherein said messaging system further defines 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 and wherein said step of directing the e-mail message onto the enhancement path includes the step of routing the e-mail message to an out-going message path, which includes the enhancement path, and which includes at least one different process as compared to the incoming e-mail message path.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein said step of routing the e-mail message to an out-going message path includes the step of directing the e-mail message through a second server, which second server is outside of the in-coming e-mail message path.

27. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of adding additional content to the e-mail message includes the step of creating one or more rich media templates to serve as said additional content.

28. The method of claim 27 wherein said step of creating one or more templates includes the step of implementing a set of computer code compatible with the Internet, said set of computer code including instructions for displaying specified rich media content.

29. The method of claim 28 wherein said step of creating one or more rich media templates further includes the step of adding an insertion tag for identifying a point in said rich media template at which point at least a portion of said e-mail message is to be inserted into the rich media template.

30. The method of claim 28 wherein said set of computer code is in HTML.

31. The method of claim 28 wherein said step of adding additional content to the e-mail message further includes the step of adding one of a plurality of text footers to said e-mail message, each one of said plurality of text footers corresponding to one of said templates.

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:

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.

33. The messaging system of claim 32 further comprising means for receiving an in-bound e-mail message intended for transfer to any user of the first user group.

34. The messaging system of claim 33 wherein said receiving means includes means for routing the in-bound e-mail message to one of a plurality of processing stations.

37. The messaging system of claim 36 wherein said first auxiliary server is configured for receiving an in-bound e-mail message intended for transfer to any user of the first user group.

38. The messaging system of claim 37 wherein said first auxiliary server includes means for routing the in-bound e-mail message to one of a plurality of processing stations.

40. The e-mail message enhancement configuration of claim 39 wherein said out-going e-mail message path includes a second server located at said different node.

41. The e-mail message enhancement configuration of claim 39 wherein said out-going e-mail message path includes an e-mail enhancement path for receiving said e-mail message after said e-mail message has been originated by an originating user of the first user group and for adding additional content to the e-mail message thereby producing an enhanced e-mail message.

42. The e-mail message enhancement configuration of claim 41 wherein said additional content is rich media.

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:

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.

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:

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.

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.

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:

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.

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:

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.

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:

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.

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:

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.

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:

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.

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:

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.

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:

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.

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:

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.

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:

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.

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:

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.

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:

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.

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:

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.

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:

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.

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:

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.

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:

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.

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:

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.

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:

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.

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:

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.

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:

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.

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:

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.

63. The computer program arrangement of claim 62 wherein said first, second and third instructions are distributed at least among the first user group and the first server.

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:

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.

65. The computer program arrangement of claim 64, wherein said messaging system further includes a second server located at the predetermined location, and wherein said first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth instructions are distributed at least among the first user group and the first and second servers.

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:

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.

67. The computer program arrangement of claim 66 wherein said first, second, third, fourth, fifth and sixth instructions are distributed at least among the first user group and the first server.

69. The e-mail messaging system of claim 68 further including a firewall surrounding said first user group and said first server and wherein said predetermined location is situated outside of the firewall.

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:

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.

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:

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.

71. The e-mail messaging system of claim 70 wherein said preprocessing means further includes means for validating the reference tag according to a set of desired criteria after the e-mail message, including the reference tag, has been originated by the originating user.

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.

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:

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.

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:

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.