Method and apparatus for configuring electronic mail according to a user-selected type

• US 20060089972A1
• Filed: 12/07/2005
• Published: 04/27/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 05/04/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Malik, Dale W.
• Granted Patent: US 7,720,915 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/206
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/107 Computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing]

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for reminding a user to include an e-mail attachment file with an e-mail communication. The e-mail application is configured to provide a menu of different types of e-mail for the user to select, and to provide templates that require the user to attach an attachment file when that option is selected.

Claims

10. A system for configuring email communications based on a user-selected type, comprising:

a menu display of different types of email communications, wherein at least one type of email communication is comprised of a plurality of components;

an input means for receiving a selection of a type of email communication, and

a processor for generating a template for each component of the type of email communication selected by the user and for generating a prompt for prompting the user to select a type of email communication before proceeding with composing the email communication, wherein the templates identify fields for the user to assemble the respective components of the email communication.

11. The system for configuring email communications according to claim 10,

wherein the types of an email communication include the set of an email message, an email attachment, and a combination of an email message and an email attachment;

wherein the system comprises a server, the server comprising the processor;

wherein the processor is further configured to provide a template to obtain information for the email if the type that is selected is email message or a combination of an email message and an email attachment; and

wherein the processor is further configured to prompt the user to select an attachment if the type that is selected is an email attachment or a combination of an email message and an email attachment.

12. The system for configuring email communications according to claim 11, wherein the email communication is transmitted after the user provides information for each of the necessary fields in each template provided to the user, or after at least one attachment is supplied.

13. The system for configuring email communications according to claim 10, further comprising:

a first data base for storing a plurality of menus, wherein each menu provides a list of options for composing the email communication; and

a second data base for storing a plurality of templates, wherein each template is associated with an option and identifies fields for transmission of the email communication having the selected options.

14. The system for configuring email communications according to claim 13, further comprising a detector for detecting whether information is entered for necessary fields of each template provided.

15. The system for configuring email communications according to claim 13, further comprising a user interface for displaying the plurality of menus from the first database, for prompting a user to select a menu from the first database, for receiving selections of options, and for providing the plurality of templates in response to selections of options.

16. The system for configuring email communications according to claim 13, further comprising a network interface for transmitting the assembled email communication when information is provided for each of the necessary fields.

17. A computer readable medium for storing instructions for performing a method for configuring an email communication comprising:

logic configured to provide a menu of a plurality of different types of email communications wherein at least one type of email communication is comprised of a plurality of components, and wherein a user is prompted to select a type of email communication before proceeding with composing the email communication;

logic configured to receive a selection of a type; and

logic configured to provide a template for each component of the selected type, wherein the templates identify fields for a user to assemble the respective components of the email communication.

1. A method for configuring an email communication, comprising:

providing a first menu of a plurality of different types of email communications, wherein at least one type of email communication is comprised of a plurality of components, and wherein a user is prompted to select a type of email communication before proceeding with composing the email communication;

receiving a selection of a type; and

providing a template for each component of the selected type, wherein the templates identify fields for a user to assemble the respective components of the email communication.

2. The method for configuring an email communication according to claim 1,

wherein the types of email communications include the set of an email message, an email attachment, and a combination of an email message and an email attachment;

wherein if the type that is selected is email message or a combination of an email message and an email attachment, providing a template to obtain information for the email; and

wherein if the type that is selected is an email attachment or a combination of an email message and an email attachment, prompting the user to select an attachment.

3. The method for configuring an email communication according to claim 1, further comprising the step of transmitting the email communication of the selected type only after adequate information is received.

4. The method for configuring an email communication according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the provided templates displays necessary information, the necessary information including a selection of categories related to destination address information.

5. The method for configuring an email communication according to claim 4, wherein one provided template includes a field for identifying at least one destination email address, and a menu displays options for identifying the at least one destination email address.

6. The method for configuring an email communication according to claim 5, further comprising:

receiving, in response to the menu in the provided template, a selection to include a plurality of destination email addresses;

generating a first prompt to identify destination email addresses; and

generating a second prompt if a plurality of destination email addresses are not received, the prompt informing the user of information not received.

7. A method for configuring an email communication according to claim 1, further comprising:

providing a series of additional menus for different fields in the template, wherein each menu provides a series of options for determining information corresponding to each respective field.

8. The method for configuring an email communication according to claim 7, wherein the email communication is transmitted after the user provides information for each of the necessary fields in each template provided to the user.

9. The method for configuring an email communication according to claim 1, further comprising:

detecting whether information is entered for each field provided in the template;

wherein the method is performed on a server;

wherein the types of email communications include the set of an email message, an email attachment, and a combination of an email message and an email attachment;

wherein if the type that is selected is email message or a combination of an email message and an email attachment, providing a template to obtain information for the email; and

wherein if the type that is selected is an email attachment or a combination of an email message and an email attachment, prompting the user to select an attachment.

18. The computer readable medium of claim 17,

wherein the types of email communications include the set of an email message, an email attachment, and a combination of an email message and an email attachment;

wherein the logic is provided on a server; and

further comprising;

logic configured to provide a template from a server to obtain information for the email if the type of email communication that is selected is an email message or a combination of an email message and an email attachment, and

logic configured to prompt the user to select an attachment if the type of email communication that is selected is an email attachment or a combination of an email message and an email attachment.

19. The computer readable medium of claim 17, further comprising;

logic configured to provide at least one template which includes a field for identifying at least one destination email address; and

logic configured to provide a menu to display options for identifying the at least one destination email address.

20. The computer readable medium of claim 19, further comprising

logic configured to receive, in response to the menu in the provided template, a selection to include a plurality of destination email addresses;

logic configured to generate a prompt to identify destination email addresses.

19-1. The system for configuring email communications according to claim 17, further comprising a user interface for displaying the plurality of menus from the first database, for prompting a user to select a menu from the first database, for receiving selections of options, and for providing the plurality of templates in response to selections of options.

20-2. The system for configuring email communications according to claim 17, further comprising a network interface for transmitting the assembled email communication when information is provided for each of the necessary fields.

21. A computer readable medium for storing instructions for performing a method for configuring an email communication comprising:

logic configured to provide a menu of a plurality of different types of email communications wherein at least one type of email communication is comprised of a plurality of components, and wherein a user is prompted to select a type of email communication before proceeding with composing the email communication;

logic configured to receive a selection of a type; and

logic configured to provide a template for each component of the selected type, wherein the templates identify fields for a user to assemble the respective components of the email communication.

22. The computer readable medium of claim 21,

wherein the types of email communications include the set of an email message, an email attachment, and a combination of an email message and an email attachment;

wherein the logic is provided on a server; and

further comprising;

logic configured to provide a template from a server to obtain information for the email if the type of email communication that is selected is an email message or a combination of an email message and an email attachment, and

logic configured to prompt the user to select an attachment if the type of email communication that is selected is an email attachment or a combination of an email message and an email attachment.

23. The computer readable medium of claim 22, wherein the attachment comprises at least one of a word processing document, a graphics file, an audio/video file, a speech file, an executable program, and a spreadsheet.

24. The computer readable medium of claim 21, further comprising;

logic configured to provide at least one template which includes a field for identifying at least one destination email address; and

logic configured to provide a menu to display options for identifying the at least one destination email address.

25. The computer readable medium of claim 24, further comprising

logic configured to receive, in response to the menu in the provided template, a selection to include a plurality of destination email addresses;

logic configured to generate a prompt to identify destination email addresses.