System and method for universal email

• US 20020091775A1
• Filed: 09/05/2001
• Published: 07/11/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/15/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Superwings, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Superwings, Inc.
• Inventors: Morehead, Graham A., Skenderian, Armen Y., Gilliam, Harris L.
• Application Number:
  US09/947,293
• Publication Number:
  US 20020091775A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/206
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/56 Unified messaging, e.g. interactions between e-mail, instant messaging or converged IP messaging [CPM]

Abstract

System and method that enables any remote device to act as a view to an email server. In a preferred embodiment, the system and method are fully interactive with read, write, send, delete, forward, reply, and similar functions. Complementary to customary methods of email usage, the system uses a server capable of storing pertinent data for multiple email accounts, and communicating with any computer or two-way communication device such that the system may accomplish all standard email functionalities.

Claims

1. A system capable of extending email functionality to a remote device, wherein the remote device is capable of accepting HTTP requests from an originator, sending the HTTP requests to a server, receiving the results of the request from said server, and displaying the results, the system comprising:

a server connected to a wide area network;

a listener module existing on the server;

a POP3 module existing on the server;

a SMTP module existing on the server; and

a translator module existing on the server.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the remote device is a computer.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising an IMAP module existing on the server, wherein the IMAP module is capable of retrieving email headers and messages from an email server using IMAP.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the wide area network is the Internet.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the server is capable of communicating with at least one email server and simultaneously answering HTTP requests from other computers or communication devices.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the listener module is capable of sensing HTTP requests coming into a given port.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the POP3 module is capable of retrieving email headers and messages from an email server using POP3.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the SMTP module is capable of sending email messages to a given server.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the translator module is capable of translating the result of HTTP requests into a markup language for the originator of the request.

10. A system for the extension of email functionality to a remote device, wherein the remote device is capable of making remote socket requests and displaying results, the system comprising:

a server connected to a wide area network capable of communicating with email servers and simultaneously communicating with other computers or communication devices;

a listener module existing on the server, wherein the listener module is capable of sensing remote socket requests coming into a given port;

a POP3 module existing on the server, wherein the POP3 module is capable of retrieving email headers and messages from an email server using POP3;

an SMTP module existing on the server, wherein the SMTP module is capable of sending email messages to a given server; and

a translator module existing on the server, wherein the translator module is capable of translating the results of remote socket requests into a markup language for the device from which the request originated.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the remote device is a computer.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the remote device is a communications device.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the wide area network is the Internet.

14. The system of claim 10 further comprising an IMAP module existing on the server, wherein the IMAP module server is capable of retrieving email headers and messages from an email server using IMAP.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein the wide area network is the Internet.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising retrieving email headers and messages from an email server using IMAP.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the remote device is a computer.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the remote device is a communication device.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the wide area network is the Internet.

16. A method for the extension of email functionality to remote device comprising the steps of:

connecting a server to a wide area network;

communicating with at least one email server and simultaneously answering HTTP requests for other computers or communication devices;

sensing HTTP requests from a given port using a listener module existing on the server;

retrieving email headers and messages from an email server using POP3 by using a POP3 module existing on the server;

sending email messages to a given server using an SMTP module existing on the server;

displaying results of HTTP requests using the remote device; and

translating results of the HTTP request into the correct markup language for the device where the request originated, using at least one translator module existing on the server.