Electronic mail distribution via a network of computer controlled display terminals with interactive display interfaces enabling senders to specify individuals not to receive the E-Mail documents being sent

• US 20040010552A1
• Filed: 07/11/2002
• Published: 01/15/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/11/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Keohane, Susann Marie, McBrearty, Gerald Francis, Shieh, Johnny Meng-Han, Murillo, Jessica Kelley, Mullen, Shawn Patrick
• Granted Patent: US 7,139,802 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/206
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/107 Computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/18 Commands or executable codes
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/212 using filtering or selective blocking
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/234 for tracking messages

Abstract

A display interface at a sending terminal including the conventional means enabling the sender of an electronic mail document to specify users to receive the document; but, in addition, provides means enabling the sender of the electronic mail document to specify users not receive the document. Then, users specified not to receive the electronic mail document are precluded from receiving the document. Thus, the sender is enabled to specify users not to receive a copy, forward or print of the document. A display interface is also provided at a receiving terminal that includes means enabling the receiver of an electronic mail document to further specify users to be forwarded the document; and also means enabling the receiver of the electronic mail document to specify users not to be forwarded the document. Thus, the means for precluding users specified not to receive the electronic mail document precludes those specified not to receive in the sender'"'"'s E-Mail or specified not to receive by the recipient of a forwarded E-Mail document.

Claims

1. In a communication network with user access via a plurality of data processor controlled interactive display terminals, an electronic mail distribution system for mail transmitted between said terminals comprising:

a display interface at a sending terminal including;

means enabling the sender of an electronic mail document to specify users to receive the document; and

means enabling the sender of the electronic mail document to specify users not receive the document; and

means for precluding users specified not to receive the electronic mail document from receiving the document.

2. The electronic mail distribution system of claim 1 wherein said means for specifying users not to receive enable the sender to specify users not to receive a copy of the document.

3. The electronic mail distribution system of claim 1 wherein said means for specifying users not to receive enable the sender to specify users not to receive a forwarded version of the document.

4. The electronic mail distribution system of claim 1 wherein said means for specifying users not to receive enable the sender to specify users not to receive a printed version of the document.

5. The electronic mail distribution system of claim 1 further including:

a display interface at a receiving terminal including;

means enabling the receiver of an electronic mail document to specify users to be forwarded the document; and

means enabling the receiver of the electronic mail document to specify users not to be forwarded the document; and

means for precluding users specified not to be forwarded the electronic mail document from receiving the forwarded document.

6. In an electronic mail distribution network with user access via a plurality of data processor controlled interactive display terminals, an electronic mail distribution method for mail transmitted between said terminals comprising:

displaying an electronic document to be sent at a sending terminal;

enabling the sender of the electronic mail document to specify users to receive the document;

enabling the sender of the electronic mail document to specify users not receive the document; and

precluding users specified not to receive the electronic mail document from receiving the document.

7. The electronic mail distribution method of claim 6 wherein said step of specifying users not to receive enables the sender to specify users not to receive a copy of the document.

8. The electronic mail distribution method of claim 6 wherein said step of specifying users not to receive enables the sender to specify users not to receive a forwarded version of the document.

9. The electronic mail distribution method of claim 6 wherein said step of specifying users not to receive enables the sender to specify users not to receive a printed version of the document.

10. The electronic mail distribution method of claim 6 further including the steps of:

displaying a received electronic mail document at a receiving terminal;

enabling the receiver of the electronic mail document to specify users to be forwarded the document;

enabling the receiver of the electronic mail document to specify users not to be forwarded the document; and

precluding users specified not to be forwarded the electronic mail document from receiving the forwarded document.

11. A computer program having code recorded on a computer readable medium for distribution of electronic mail in an electronic mail distribution network with user access via a plurality of data processor controlled interactive display terminals, said computer program comprising:

a display interface at a sending terminal including;

means enabling the sender of an electronic mail document to specify users to receive the document; and

means enabling the sender of the electronic mail document to specify users not receive the document; and

means for precluding users specified not to receive the electronic mail document from receiving the document.

12. The computer program of claim 11 wherein said means for specifying users not to receive enable the sender to specify users not to receive a copy of the document.

13. The computer program of claim 11 wherein said means for specifying users not to receive enable the sender to specify users not to receive a forwarded version of the document.

14. The computer program of claim 11 wherein said means for specifying users not to receive enable the sender to specify users not to receive a printed version of the document.

15. The computer program of claim 11 further including:

a display interface at a receiving terminal including;

means enabling the receiver of an electronic mail document to specify users to be forwarded the document; and

means enabling the receiver of the electronic mail document to specify users not to be forwarded the document; and

means for precluding users specified not to be forwarded the electronic mail document from receiving the forwarded document.