Method and system for preparing and replying to multi-party e-mails

• US 20060277263A1
• Filed: 06/07/2005
• Published: 12/07/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: HCL Technologies Limited
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Lyle, Ruthie D., Malone, Kelly, Daniels, Fonda J., Ramseur, Demethria J.
• Granted Patent: US 8,099,465 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 51/48 Message addressing, e.g. address format or anonymous messages, aliases

Abstract

A method for preparing and replying to multi-party e-mails is provided. The method includes opening an e-mail composition window in an e-mail application for generating an e-mail, specifying one or more recipients from a plurality of recipient groups for the e-mail, creating one or more response sections, identifying at least one recipient for each of the response sections, and sending the e-mail. The creating step further includes creating a general section in the e-mail. The method further includes selecting a delivery option from a plurality of delivery options for the e-mail prior to sending the e-mail and receiving one or more return receipts based on the delivery option selected in the e-mail sent. The method further includes selecting a response section in a received e-mail, and generating a reply to the response section in a reply e-mail composition window containing the response section.

Claims

1. A method of preparing an e-mail, said method comprising the steps of:

opening an e-mail composition window in an e-mail application for generating a new e-mail;

specifying one or more recipients from a plurality of recipient groups for said new e-mail;

creating one or more response sections in said new e-mail;

identifying at least one recipient for each of said response sections; and

sending said new e-mail.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein said plurality of recipient groups comprises at least one of:

To, cc and bcc.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein said creating step further comprises the step of:

creating a general section in said new e-mail.

4. A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of:

selecting a delivery option from a plurality of delivery options for said new e-mail prior to sending said new e-mail.

5. A method according to claim 4, further comprising the step of:

receiving one or more return receipts based on said delivery option selected in said new e-mail sent.

6. A method according to claim 4, wherein said plurality of delivery options comprises at least one of:

Return Receipt To, Return Receipt cc and Return Receipt bcc.

7. A method of responding to a received e-mail having a plurality of distinct sections, said method comprising the steps of:

opening said received e-mail in an e-mail application;

selecting a distinct section from said plurality of distinct sections in said received e-mail to respond to;

generating a reply e-mail to said distinct section selected in a reply e-mail composition window containing only said distinct section selected; and

sending said reply e-mail.

8. A method according to claim 7, wherein said plurality of distinct sections comprises at least one of:

general section and response section.

9. A method according to claim 8, wherein said distinct section selected is a general section, and wherein said generating step further comprises:

generating a reply e-mail to said general section selected in said reply e-mail composition window containing only said general section selected.

10. A method according to claim 8, wherein said distinct section selected is a response section, and wherein said generating step further comprises:

generating a reply e-mail to said response section selected in said reply e-mail composition window containing only said response section selected.

11. A method according to claim 10, wherein said generating step further includes the step of:

choosing a reply option for said distinct section selected in said received e-mail.

12. A method according to claim 11, wherein said sending step further includes the step of:

selecting a delivery option from a plurality of delivery options for said reply e-mail prior to sending said reply e-mail.

13. A method according to claim 11, wherein said reply option comprises at least one of:

Reply and Reply All.

14. A method according to claim 12, wherein said delivery option comprises at least one of:

Return Receipt To, Return Receipt cc and Return Receipt bcc.

15. A method according to claim 14, further comprising the step of:

receiving one or more return receipts based on said delivery option selected in said reply e-mail.

16. A method of requesting a return receipt from a subset of recipients of an e-mail, said method comprising the steps of:

creating an e-mail in an e-mail composition window of an e-mail application;

specifying recipients from a plurality of recipient groups for said e-mail;

selecting one or more return receipt recipients from a plurality of return receipt recipient groups for said e-mail, said one or more return receipt recipients selected corresponding to said subset of recipients; and

sending said e-mail to said recipients specified in said e-mail, such that said return receipt is requested from said one or more return receipt recipients selected and corresponding to said subset of recipients of said e-mail.

17. A method according to claim 16, wherein said plurality of recipient groups comprises at least one of:

To, cc and bcc; and

wherein said plurality of return receipt recipient groups comprises at least one of;

Return Receipt To, Return Receipt cc and Return Receipt bcc.

18. Programmable media containing programmable software to prepare an e-mail, said programmable software comprising the steps of:

opening an e-mail composition window in an e-mail application for said e-mail;

specifying one or more recipients from a plurality of recipient groups for said e-mail;

creating one or more response sections in said e-mail;

identifying one or more recipients for each of said one or more response sections created;

selecting one or more return receipt recipients from a plurality of return receipt recipient groups for said e-mail; and

sending said e-mail.

19. A programmable media according to claim 18, further comprising the steps of:

receiving said e-mail in an e-mail application;

selecting one of said one or more response sections in said e-mail received;

generating a reply e-mail to said response section selected in a reply e-mail composition window containing only said response section selected; and

sending said reply e-mail.

20. A programmable media according to claim 19, wherein said plurality of recipient groups for said e-mail comprises at least one of:

To, cc and bcc; and

wherein said return receipt recipient groups comprises at least one of;

Return Receipt To, Return Receipt cc and Return Receipt bcc.