METHOD, APPARATUS AND SYSTEM FOR MARKETING , DELIVERING , AND COLLECTING PAYMENT FOR INFORMATION
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method implemented in a computer system, the method comprising:
- receiving a first electronic mail message for a user in a central database, the first electronic mail message including a first portion and a price to access the first portion;
providing a list of messages, including the first electronic mail message, from the central database for presentation to the user, the list including a subject field for each of the messages in the list and the price to access the first portion of the first electronic mail message;
in response to a request from the user to access the first portion of the first electronic mail message, charging an account of the user according to the price to access the first portion of the first electronic mail message using the computer system; and
rendering the first portion of the first electronic mail message accessible to the user, in response to completion of charging the account of the user according to the price to access the first portion of the first electronic mail message.
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Abstract
A method, apparatus and system for marketing, delivering, and collecting payment for information is described. In one embodiment, the invention is a method of providing electronic mail for payment. The invention includes sending an electronic mail message including provided information and a price to a customer, the provided information having an inaccessible portion of information. The invention further includes transferring a payment from the customer, and rendering the inaccessible portion of information accessible to the customer.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method implemented in a computer system, the method comprising:
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receiving a first electronic mail message for a user in a central database, the first electronic mail message including a first portion and a price to access the first portion; providing a list of messages, including the first electronic mail message, from the central database for presentation to the user, the list including a subject field for each of the messages in the list and the price to access the first portion of the first electronic mail message; in response to a request from the user to access the first portion of the first electronic mail message, charging an account of the user according to the price to access the first portion of the first electronic mail message using the computer system; and rendering the first portion of the first electronic mail message accessible to the user, in response to completion of charging the account of the user according to the price to access the first portion of the first electronic mail message. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A machine readable media storing instructions which, when executed on a computer system, cause the computer system to perform a method, the method comprising:
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receiving a first electronic mail message for a user in a central database, the first electronic mail message including a first portion and a price to access the first portion; providing a list of messages, including the first electronic mail message, from the central database for presentation to the user, the list including a subject field for each of the messages in the list and the price to access the first portion of the first electronic mail message; in response to a request from the user to access the first portion of the first electronic mail message, charging an account of the user according to the price to access the first portion of the first electronic mail message using the computer system; and rendering the first portion of the first electronic mail message accessible to the user, in response to completion of charging the account of the user according to the price to access the first portion of the first electronic mail message.
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20. A computer system, comprising:
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a means for receiving a first electronic mail message for a user in a central database, the first electronic mail message including a first portion and a price to access the first portion; a means for providing a list of messages, including the first electronic mail message, from the central database for presentation to the user, the list including a subject field for each of the messages in the list and the price to access the first portion of the first electronic mail message; a means for charging an account of the user according to the price to access the first portion of the first electronic mail message using the computer system, in response to a request from the user to access the first portion of the first electronic mail message; and a means for rendering the first portion of the first electronic mail message accessible to the user, in response to completion of charging the account of the user according to the price to access the first portion of the first electronic mail message.
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Specification