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Method and apparatus for notifying users of filtered e-mail using a set top box

  • US 7,150,034 B2
  • Filed: 04/09/2001
  • Issued: 12/12/2006
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/09/2001
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. An apparatus for filtering electronic mail and notifying a user, residing in a set top box connected between a television content provider, an Internet provider having an e-mail server, and a television, comprising:

  • a software program application which enables a user to specify e-mail filter criteria and a notification icon which then retains and stores said e-mail filter criteria and said notification icon;

    a querying module contained within said software program application which queries said e-mail server to determine whether any e-mail fulfilling said e-mail filter criteria is among a plurality of e-mails for the user that have arrived at said e-mail server; and

    a notifying module also contained within said software program application,wherein, upon arrival of an e-mail fulfilling said e-mail filter criteria, said software program application notifies the user by posting said notification icon to the set top box.

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