Messaging System and Related Methods

• US 20080005250A1
• Filed: 11/14/2006
• Published: 01/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Ragip Dogan Oksum
• Original Assignee: Ragip Dogan Oksum
• Inventors: Oksum, Ragip Dogan
• Application Number:
  US11/559,647
• Publication Number:
  US 20080005250A1
• 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 10/109 Time management, e.g. calendars, reminders, meetings or time accounting
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/00 User-to-user messaging in packet-switching networks, transmitted according to store-and-forward or real-time protocols, e.g. e-mail
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/08 Annexed information, e.g. attachments

Abstract

An electronic mail message system includes a database storing user information and electronic mail messages, and logic programmed to manage the content of the database, schedule the mailing of a delayed electronic mail message based on input from a remote user, and send one or more reminders to the remote user. The reminders indicate to the remote user the identity of the delayed electronic mail message stored in the database and when the delayed electronic mail message is scheduled for mailing or the fact that the delayed electronic mail message is not scheduled for mailing. Optionally, the electronic mail message is printed and delivered by post to the recipient in lieu of or in addition to the electronic mail. Optionally, the email, regular postal mail or SMS message sent to the recipient may only contain one or more hypertext links stored in one or more remote servers that can provide a reference to a private address which provides controlled access to the electronic mail message, text and/or attached files that are created (or uploaded) by the sender and intended for delivery to the recipient.

Claims

1. An electronic mail message system, comprising:

a database storing user information and electronic mail messages, and

logic coupled to said database and programmed to manage the content of the database based on input from a user located in a remote location, schedule the mailing of at least one electronic mail message based on input from the remote user, and send at least one reminder to the user, said reminder indicating at least one of

i) the identity of an electronic mail message stored in said database,

ii) when an electronic mail message stored in said database is scheduled for mailing, and

iii) the fact that an electronic mail message stored in said database is not scheduled for mailing.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein:

said at least one reminder is a plurality of reminders.

3. A system according to claim 1, wherein:

the timing of said at least one reminder is selectable by the user.

4. A system according to claim 1, wherein:

said logic is programmed to calculate the timing of said at least one reminder.

5. A system according to claim 1, wherein:

said database stores user information for a plurality of users and electronic mail messages authored by a plurality of users.

6. A system according to claim 5, wherein:

said logic is programmed such that the electronic mail messages of a given user can be edited by the given user any time before being mailed.

7. A system according to claim 5, wherein:

said logic is programmed such that the electronic mail messages of a given user can be scheduled and rescheduled for mailing by the given user any time before being mailed.

8. A system according to claim 5, wherein:

said logic is programmed to send a given user a message when an electronic mail message of the given remote user is mailed, said message indicating that the electronic mail message was mailed.

9. A system according to claim 5, further comprising:

a printer coupled to said logic, said logic being programmed to print an electronic mail message of a given remote user in response to input from the remote user so that the printed electronic mail message can be delivered to a specified post office address in lieu of or in addition to electronic delivery of the electronic mail message.

19. A system according to claim 1, wherein:

the logic is adapted to generate and send a message to the intended recipient of an electronic mail message stored in the database, the message including at least one hypertext link that provides a reference to a private address that provides controlled access to at least a portion of the contents of the electronic mail message stored in the database.

20. A system according to claim 19, wherein:

the logic is adapted to require the intended recipient of the message to answer a question provided by the sender to gain access the portion of the contents of the electronic mail message stored in the database as referenced by the at least one hypertext link.

21. A system according to claim 19, wherein:

the hypertext link that provides a reference to a private address that provides controlled access to the text of the electronic mail message as stored in the database.

22. A system according to claim 19, wherein:

the hypertext link that provides a reference to a private address that provides controlled access to the attachments of the electronic mail message as stored in the database.

23. A system according to claim 19, wherein:

the message is communicated to the intended recipient as at least one of;

an electronic mail message, an SMS message, and a regular postal mail item.

10. A method for delivering messages, comprising:

receiving an electronic mail message from a user located in a remote location;

storing the message and any of its attachments in a database;

receiving recipient address information from the user;

receiving a delayed mailing time from the user; and

sending periodic reminders to the user, said periodic reminders indicating to the user the identity of the electronic mail message stored in the database and when the given electronic mail message is scheduled for mailing.

11. A method according to claim 10, further comprising:

receiving message edits from the user altering the content of the electronic mail message after it has been stored but prior to it being mailed.

12. A method according to claim 10, further comprising:

receiving, after the electronic mail message has been stored but prior to it being mailed, scheduling or rescheduling information from the user regarding when the electronic mail message is to be mailed.

13. A method according to claim 10, further comprising:

receiving delivery instructions from the user, the delivery instructions designating at least one of (i) instructions to send the electronic mail message by electronic means, and (ii) instructions to print the electronic mail message for deliver to the recipient'"'"'s post office address, and (iii) instructions to send the electronic mail message for delivery to the recipient'"'"'s SMS address.

14. A method according to claim 13, wherein:

the delivery instructions include (iv) instructions to send the electronic mail message by electronic means and to print the electronic mail message for delivery to the recipient'"'"'s post office address.

15. A method according to claim 10, further comprising:

mailing the electronic mail message to the recipient at the delayed mailing time.

16. A method according to claim 13, wherein:

the message is printed at a location closer to the recipient than to the remote user.

17. A system for delivering messages, comprising:

a database storing user information and electronic mail messages;

logic coupled to said database and programmed to manage the content of the database based on input from a user located in a remote location, schedule the mailing of an electronic mail message to a recipient based on input from the user, and accept an instruction from the user to selectively print a paper copy of the electronic mail message so that the printed electronic mail message can be delivered to a specified post office address and store data pertaining to the instruction in said database;

at least one printer; and

scheduling logic that cooperates with said database and said at least one printer to print the paper copy of the electronic mail message at a scheduled mailing time in accordance with the data pertaining to the instruction as stored in said database.

18. A system according to claim 17, wherein:

said printer is located closer to the recipient than to the remote user.