Conference messaging system
First Claim
1. A computing system for transferring messages between users, the system including:
- at least a first computer; and
an interface program running on the first computer, the interface program capable of accepting input from a user, the input including at least a paired destination and data specification, the data specification containing message contents and/or identifying the location of message contents, the destination specifying at least one of a user and an archive to receive a copy of the message contents, the interface program also capable of sending the paired destination and data specification to a conveying program, the interface program also capable of receiving a data specification from the conveying program, and the interface program having substantially exclusive control of the first computer the substantially exclusive control prohibiting users from gaining direct unconstrained access to undering computer resources such as an operating system file system boot software, network operating system, and disk drives, memory, or other storage devices, whereas an authorized administrator, or a determined user who understands technical system details, can gain direct resource access;
wherein the conveying program is capable of receiving the paired destination and data specification, and capable of sending the data specification toward the destination.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A messaging system for use by inexperienced users is provided. A simple interface allows use of the messaging system without any extensive training. The system enables users to send and receive mail both within the system, and the system may be connected to a larger network configuration. The user is only permitted access to the system through the interface, thereby protecting resources such as sensitive information and administrative settings. The invention also facilitates local and/or remote system management, including the automatic downloading and installation of software updates over the network without requiring user intervention or input.
73 Citations
29 Claims
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1. A computing system for transferring messages between users, the system including:
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at least a first computer; and an interface program running on the first computer, the interface program capable of accepting input from a user, the input including at least a paired destination and data specification, the data specification containing message contents and/or identifying the location of message contents, the destination specifying at least one of a user and an archive to receive a copy of the message contents, the interface program also capable of sending the paired destination and data specification to a conveying program, the interface program also capable of receiving a data specification from the conveying program, and the interface program having substantially exclusive control of the first computer the substantially exclusive control prohibiting users from gaining direct unconstrained access to undering computer resources such as an operating system file system boot software, network operating system, and disk drives, memory, or other storage devices, whereas an authorized administrator, or a determined user who understands technical system details, can gain direct resource access; wherein the conveying program is capable of receiving the paired destination and data specification, and capable of sending the data specification toward the destination. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A computer-assisted messaging method for transferring messages between users, comprising the steps of:
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on a computer, providing an interface program which presents a messaging user interface tailored for use by naive users the interface program capable of accepting input from a user, the input including at least a paired destination and data specification, the data specification containing message contents and/or identifying the location of message contents, the destination specifying at least one of a user and an archive to receive a copy of the message contents the interface program also capable of sending the paired destination and data specification to a conveying program the interface program also capable of receiving a data specification from the conveying program, the conveying program capable of receiving the paired destination and data specification, and capable of sending the data specification toward the destination; and limiting access to resources by gaining and maintaining substantially exclusive control of the computer by the interface program, the substantially exclusive control prohibiting users from gaining direct unconstrained access to underlying computer resources such as an operating system, file system, boot software, network operating system, and disk drives, memory, or other storage devices, whereas an authorized administrator, or a determined user who understands technical system details, can gain direct resource access. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A computer storage medium having a configuration that represents data and instructions which will cause at least a portion of a computer system to perform method steps for messaging, the method steps comprising the steps of:
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on a computer, providing an interface program which presents a messaging user interface tailored for use by naive users, the interface program capable of accepting input from a user, the input including at least a paired destination and data specification, the data specification containing message contents and/or identifying the location of message contents, the destination specifying at least one of a user and an archive to receive a copy of the message contents, the interface program also capable of sending the paired destination and data specification to a conveying program. the interface program also capable of receiving a data specification from the conveying program, the conveying program capable of receiving the paired destination and data specification, and capable of sending the data specification toward the destination; and limiting access to resources by gaining and maintaining substantially exclusive control of the computer by the interface program, the substantially exclusive control prohibiting users from gaining direct unconstrained access to underlying computer resources such as an operating system. file system, boot software, network operating system, and disk drives, memory, or other storage devices, whereas an authorized administrator, or a determined user who understands technical system details, can pain direct resource access. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification