Method and apparatus for providing a service to transfer messages over a communications network
First Claim
1. A method of providing specialized e-mail services to a sender, recipient or both, over a communications network, said method comprising:
- establishing an on-line session with a computer at an e-mail center;
sending an e-mail packet including an e-mail message to a recipient together with a request for a specified verification e-mail service to the e-mail center;
transmitting the e-mail to an e-mail address accessible by a computer operated by a recipient, receiving notification when said recipient at least receives said e-mail; and
providing, by e-mail center, at least requested e-mail notification to said sender.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method and an apparatus are disclosed for providing specialized e-mail services to a sender, recipient or both, over a communications network. The method is composed of the following steps. On a computer operated by an e-mail sender, an online session with a computer at an e-mail center is established. The sender then sends an e-mail packet including an e-mail message destined to a recipient together with a request for a specified verification of e-mail service to the e-mail center. This e-mail is then transmitted from the e-mail center computer to an e-mail address accessible by a computer operated by a recipient, and when the recipient at least receives said e-mail, the e-mail center receives notification. And, in its turn, the e-mail center provides at least the requested e-mail notification to the sender. The apparatus provides the means for performing these steps. Options provided by this method and apparatus may include, among other things, obtaining one or more of the following: notification that e-mail was sent, notification that e-mail was received, notification that e-mail was opened, notification that e-mail was opened by intended recipient, notification of time and/or date of receipt and/or opening of e-mail, storage for future access of any selected notification information, storage of e-mail message contents for future access, verification of identity of sender, and verification of identity of recipient.
185 Citations
45 Claims
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1. A method of providing specialized e-mail services to a sender, recipient or both, over a communications network, said method comprising:
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establishing an on-line session with a computer at an e-mail center;
sending an e-mail packet including an e-mail message to a recipient together with a request for a specified verification e-mail service to the e-mail center;
transmitting the e-mail to an e-mail address accessible by a computer operated by a recipient, receiving notification when said recipient at least receives said e-mail; and
providing, by e-mail center, at least requested e-mail notification to said sender. - 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, 32)
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33. An apparatus for providing specialized e-mail services to a sender, recipient or both, over a communications network, said apparatus comprising:
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means for establishing an on-line session with a computer at an e-mail center;
means for sending by sender an e-mail packet including an e-mail message destined to a recipient together with a request for a specified verification e-mail service to the e-mail center;
means for transmitting from said e-mail computer the e-mail to an e-mail address accessible by a computer operated by a recipient, means for receiving notification from said e-mail center when said recipient at least receives said e-mail; and
means for providing, by e-mail center, at least requested e-mail notification to said sender. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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34. A method of transmitting information which contains a request for specified services on an e-mail system comprising:
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connecting a sending computer to a communication network;
submitting said information from said sending computer to said communication network;
inputting said information onto a website server;
transmitting, by said website server, said information to a mail center;
receiving said information at said mail center;
creating a record of said information at said mail center;
storing said information by said mail center; and
sending an alert message to a receiving computer indicating that said information has been received.
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41. A method for transmitting information that contains a request for specified services from an e-mail service comprising:
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composing information on a sending computer;
sending said information, which includes an authentication database, to a software program on said sending computer;
comparing said authentication database with a database on said sending computer;
sending said information from said sending computer to a mail center;
processing said information at said mail center; and
sending said information from said mail center to a receiving computer. - View Dependent Claims (42, 43, 44, 45)
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Specification