Directory with options for access to and display of email addresses
First Claim
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1. A method for use by a directory service that includes a database with records of users including the users'"'"' respective email addresses, and a processor for retrieving and providing records, the method comprising the computer-implemented steps of:
- (a) receiving from a requester a request for a record of a recipient;
(b) accessing information associated with the record to determine whether or not the email address is to be displayed; and
(c) in response to a determination that the email address is not to be displayed,(1) receiving from the requester a message to be sent to the recipient, and(2) sending the message to the recipient without providing the recipient'"'"'s email address to the requester.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A directory service allows a user to receive email messages from senders without requiring the user to reveal his/her email address. The directory service maintains users'"'"' email addresses but allows users to restrict the display of their email addresses. The directory service can cause a message to be sent from a sender to a recipient without revealing the recipient'"'"'s email address.
315 Citations
10 Claims
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1. A method for use by a directory service that includes a database with records of users including the users'"'"' respective email addresses, and a processor for retrieving and providing records, the method comprising the computer-implemented steps of:
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(a) receiving from a requester a request for a record of a recipient; (b) accessing information associated with the record to determine whether or not the email address is to be displayed; and (c) in response to a determination that the email address is not to be displayed, (1) receiving from the requester a message to be sent to the recipient, and (2) sending the message to the recipient without providing the recipient'"'"'s email address to the requester. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A directory service comprising:
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a database having a large number of records, including names, email addresses associated with the names, and information associated with the records indicating one of a number of display options for the email addresses; and a processor that receives a request for records from a user and accesses the database to retrieve records, the processor checking the information associated with the record to determine whether or not the email address of each retrieved record should be displayed to the user and displaying or not displaying the email address in response to the information. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
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Specification