Systems, methods and computer program products for obtaining responses to announcement files

• US 20070220096A1
• Filed: 03/16/2006
• Published: 09/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Starr, Robert, Carter, Sharon, Moore, Darryl, Silver, Edward
• Granted Patent: US 7,751,802 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: G06Q 30/0633 Lists, e.g. purchase orders, compilation or processing

Abstract

A method of obtaining a response to associated announcement files. The method includes associating a first announcement file including an attribute of a tangible item with an email and associating an interactive information file with the email. The email is sent with the associated announcement file and the associated interactive information file to the recipient to a recipient. The announcement file causes presentation of the attribute of the tangible item to the recipient upon receipt of the email by the recipient. The interactive information file causes presentation of the interactive information file to the recipient upon receipt of the email by the recipient.

Claims

1. A method of obtaining a response to associated announcement files, the method comprising:

associating a first announcement file including an attribute of a tangible item with an email;

associating an interactive information file with the email;

sending the email with the associated announcement file and the associated interactive information file to the recipient to a recipient; and

the announcement file causing presentation of the attribute of the tangible item to the recipient upon receipt of the email by the recipient;

the interactive information file causing presentation of the interactive information file to the recipient upon receipt of the email by the recipient.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein associating the interactive information file includes associating a second announcement file.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein associating the interactive information file includes inserting the interactive information file as at least part of the email.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein associating the interactive information file includes inserting the interactive information file as an attachment.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

receiving a reply to the interactive information file from the recipient of the interactive message file, the reply including selections by the recipient.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the interactive information file is a purchase order form for the tangible item.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the interactive information file is a product placement offer for the tangible item.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the interactive information filed is a product survey form for the tangible item.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the tangible item is an album and the attribute is a picture of at least a front cover of the album.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein the announcement file includes at least a portion of a song from the album.

11. A computer program product for obtaining a response to associated announcement files, the computer program product comprising:

a storage medium readable by a processing circuit and storing instructions for execution by the processing circuit for facilitating a method comprising;

associating a first announcement file including an attribute of a tangible item with an email;

associating an interactive information file with the email;

sending the email with the associated announcement file and the associated interactive information file to the recipient to a recipient; and

the announcement file causing presentation of the attribute of the tangible item to the recipient upon receipt of the email by the recipient;

the interactive information file causing presentation of the interactive information file to the recipient upon receipt of the email by the recipient.

12. The computer program product of claim 11 wherein associating the interactive information file includes associating a second announcement file.

13. The computer program product of claim 11 wherein associating the interactive information file includes inserting the interactive information file as at least part of the email.

14. The computer program product of claim 11 wherein associating the interactive information file includes inserting the interactive information file as an attachment.

15. The computer program product of claim 11 further comprising:

receiving a reply to the interactive information file from the recipient of the interactive message file, the reply including selections by the recipient.

16. The computer program product of claim 11 wherein the interactive information file is a purchase order form for the tangible item.

17. The computer program product of claim 11 wherein the interactive information file is a product placement offer for the tangible item.

18. The computer program product of claim 11 wherein the interactive information filed is a product survey form for the tangible item.

19. The method of claim 11 wherein the tangible item is an album and the attribute is a picture of at least a front cover of the album.

20. The computer program product of claim 19 wherein the announcement file includes at least a portion of a song from the album.