Community messaging system
First Claim
1. A system for distributing electronic messages amongst a plurality of users, the system comprising a server and a plurality of client devices in communication by means of at least one communications network, the server supporting a message management module arranged to maintain a message storage device, and to provide a message user interface by which messages in the storage device can be displayed or accessed by said client devices, wherein said users each belong to at least one of a plurality of user groups, and wherein, upon receipt of an original message from a first user via a first client device in respect of a first user group, the message management module causes the message to be sent to client devices associated with other users belonging to said first group, and wherein, upon receipt of a reply message from at least one of said other users via a respective client device, the message management module causes the, or each, reply message to be displayed on said message user interface in association with said original message.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A system for distributing electronic messages amongst a plurality of users wherein the system comprises a server and a plurality of client devices in communication by means of at least one communications network. A message management module maintains a message storage device, and provides a message user interface by which messages in the storage device can be displayed or accessed by said client devices. The users each belong to at least one of a plurality of user groups, and, upon receipt of an original message from a first user via a first client device in respect of a first user group, the message management module causes the message to be sent to client devices associated with other users belonging to said first group. Upon receipt of a reply message from at least one of said other users via a respective client device, the message management module causes the, or each, reply message to be displayed on said message user interface in association with said original message.
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Citations
19 Claims
- 1. A system for distributing electronic messages amongst a plurality of users, the system comprising a server and a plurality of client devices in communication by means of at least one communications network, the server supporting a message management module arranged to maintain a message storage device, and to provide a message user interface by which messages in the storage device can be displayed or accessed by said client devices, wherein said users each belong to at least one of a plurality of user groups, and wherein, upon receipt of an original message from a first user via a first client device in respect of a first user group, the message management module causes the message to be sent to client devices associated with other users belonging to said first group, and wherein, upon receipt of a reply message from at least one of said other users via a respective client device, the message management module causes the, or each, reply message to be displayed on said message user interface in association with said original message.
- 10. A system as claimed in Clam 1, wherein the message management module maintains a profile storage device containing respective profile information for each user, the message management module being arranged to determine to which users a received original message is to be sent by examining said profile information.
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18. A message management module for use in a system for distributing electronic messages amongst a plurality of users, the system comprising a server and a plurality of client devices in communication by means of at least one communications network, the message management module being arranged to maintain a message storage device, and to provide a message user interface by which messages in the storage device can be displayed or accessed by said client devices, wherein said users each belong to at least one of a plurality of user groups, and wherein, upon receipt of an original message from a first user via a first client device in respect of a first user group, the message management module causes the message to be sent to client devices associated with other users belonging to said first group, and wherein, upon receipt of a reply message from at least one of said other users via a respective client device, the message management module causes the, or each, reply message to be displayed on said message user interface in association with said original message.
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19. A method for distributing electronic messages amongst a plurality of users in a system comprising a server and a plurality of client devices in communication by means of at least one communications network, the method comprising maintaining a message storage device;
- and providing a message user interface by which messages in the storage device can be displayed or accessed by said client devices, wherein said users each belong to at least one of a plurality of user groups, the method further including, upon receipt of an original message from a first user via a first client device in respect of a first user group, causing the message to be sent to client devices associated with other users belonging to said first group; and
, upon receipt of a reply message from at least one of said other users via a respective client device, causing the, or each, reply message to be displayed on said message user interface in association with said original message.
- and providing a message user interface by which messages in the storage device can be displayed or accessed by said client devices, wherein said users each belong to at least one of a plurality of user groups, the method further including, upon receipt of an original message from a first user via a first client device in respect of a first user group, causing the message to be sent to client devices associated with other users belonging to said first group; and
Specification