Method for web-based delivery of use-restricted programs to handle mail attachments
First Claim
1. A method of web-based delivery of a handler to handle an e-mail attachment, comprising:
- at a client, responsive to a selection of an e-mail attachment, automatically opening a browser to a given URL if the client is not capable of opening the attachment;
serving a dialog to the client from the given URL;
upon entry of given subscription information in the dialog, applying a given use restriction to a handler; and
serving the handler to the client.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An e-mail server is configured so that when an e-mail having an attachment is received at the server, a web-based URL is included in the e-mail to identify a fulfillment site at which a handler (e.g., a plug-in) for the attachment may be obtained. The e-mail is delivered to a client machine. When the user of the machine selects the attachment to open, the e-mail application checks to determine if there is a registered handler in the client machine to handle the attachment. If there is no installed attachment handler (or if the handler is not available), the e-mail application automatically contacts the fulfillment site by opening a browser (or other viewer) to the URL that was included with the e-mail. When the user enters the required data, the fulfillment site sends the attachment handler. Upon receipt, the plug-in self-installs and opens the attachment in a seamless manner.
46 Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method of web-based delivery of a handler to handle an e-mail attachment, comprising:
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at a client, responsive to a selection of an e-mail attachment, automatically opening a browser to a given URL if the client is not capable of opening the attachment; serving a dialog to the client from the given URL; upon entry of given subscription information in the dialog, applying a given use restriction to a handler; and serving the handler to the client. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of web-based delivery of a handler to handle an e-mail attachment, comprising:
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serving a fulfillment dialog in response to a client request initiated upon selection of an e-mail attachment that cannot be processed at a local client system; upon entry of given billing and subscription information in the dialog, applying a given use restriction to a self-installing handler; and serving the handler to the local client system. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A computer program product in a computer useable medium operative at a server, comprising:
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means for serving a fulfillment dialog in response to a client request initiated upon selection of an e-mail attachment that cannot be processed at a local client system; means responsive to entry of given information in the dialog for encrypting a self-installing handler with a given access count; and means for serving the self-installing handler to the local client system.
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18. A server, comprising:
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a handler; means for serving a fulfillment dialog in response to a client request initiated upon selection of an e-mail attachment that cannot be processed at a local client system; means responsive to entry of given information in the dialog for applying a given use restriction to the handler based on the information; and means for serving the handler to the local client system. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21)
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Specification