Distribution limiter for network messaging
First Claim
1. A computer readable medium containing computer code for execution by a computer and tangibly embodying therein modules for selectively sending messages to remote terminals of a computer network, the modules comprising:
- a. a network interface module configured to receive an address of target data stored at a remote site on the computer network, retrieve the target data, and make the target data locally available;
b. a search engine for examining the target data made available by the network interface module to determine if user addresses are present in the target data;
c. a user address extraction module for extracting user addresses from the target data; and
d. a database compilation module for compiling a database of user addresses from the user addresses extracted by the user address extraction module.
7 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A message distribution limiter computer program and method are provided. The method preferably includes receiving a site address of target data stored at a remote site on a computer network; locating the target data stored at the remote site; examining the target data to determine if user addresses are present in the target data; extracting user addresses from the target data; and compiling a database containing the extracted user addresses. The method also preferably includes the steps of downloading the target data to a local memory; locating within the target data one or more embedded site addresses of remote sites on the computer network for locating additional target data referenced within the remote sites; screening the embedded site addresses according to a user-selectable criterion; and screening the target data according to a user-selectable criterion such that user addresses are extracted only from target data meeting the selected criterion. Also included is a mail screening module adapted to place into a network site a user-selectable code indicating whether a selected type of message is desired to be received by a mailbox within the network site.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A computer readable medium containing computer code for execution by a computer and tangibly embodying therein modules for selectively sending messages to remote terminals of a computer network, the modules comprising:
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a. a network interface module configured to receive an address of target data stored at a remote site on the computer network, retrieve the target data, and make the target data locally available; b. a search engine for examining the target data made available by the network interface module to determine if user addresses are present in the target data; c. a user address extraction module for extracting user addresses from the target data; and d. a database compilation module for compiling a database of user addresses from the user addresses extracted by the user address extraction module. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A computer-implemented method for selectively sending messages to remote terminals of a computer network, the method comprising:
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a. receiving a site address of target data stored at a remote site on the computer network; b. locating the target data stored at the remote site on the computer network; c. retrieving the target data to make the target data locally available; d. examining the target data to determine if user addresses are present in the target data; e. extracting user addresses from the target data; and f. compiling a database containing the extracted user addresses. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. An apparatus for selectively sending messages to remote terminals of a computer network, the apparatus comprising:
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a. a processor for executing programs; b. a network interface for transmitting and receiving information over the computer network; and c. a memory device containing an executable program capable of operating within the processor, the program comprising the steps of; (i) receiving target data through the network interface from remote sites on the computer network and storing the target data in a local memory; (ii) examining the target data according to a selected criterion regarding the relevance of the target data; (ii) extracting user addresses from the target data when the target data is considered relevant in accordance with the selected criteria; and (iii) transmitting messages addressed with the user addresses to locations referenced by the user addresses.
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Specification