Method and system for service provider to be compensated for delivering e-mail messages while reducing amount of unsolicited e-mail messages
First Claim
1. A method for a service provider to be compensated for delivering an e-mail message for a sender, the method comprising:
- delivering the e-mail message for the sender to an e-mail address for a recipient, the e-mail message including at least a portion that is encrypted with a encryption key;
charging the sender a sending fee for delivery of the e-mail message to the e-mail address for the recipient;
determining if the recipient has requested a corresponding decryption key for the encryption key; and
if the recipient has requested the corresponding decryption key, reducing the sending fee to the sender for delivery of the e-mail message.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and systems for sending e-mail messages are provided. A sender of an e-mail pays a sending fee to the service provider for each e-mail sent. Each e-mail message includes a portion that is encrypted by the sender. If the recipient desires to read the encrypted portion, the recipient will request the corresponding decryption key from the service provider. The service provider sends the decryption key to the recipient, who can then decrypt the encrypted portion of the e-mail message for reading. The service provider refunds the sending fee, or some portion thereof, to the sender for each e-mail message for which the recipient requests the decryption key, while retaining the sending fee for those e-mails for which a decryption key was not requested.
25 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method for a service provider to be compensated for delivering an e-mail message for a sender, the method comprising:
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delivering the e-mail message for the sender to an e-mail address for a recipient, the e-mail message including at least a portion that is encrypted with a encryption key; charging the sender a sending fee for delivery of the e-mail message to the e-mail address for the recipient; determining if the recipient has requested a corresponding decryption key for the encryption key; and if the recipient has requested the corresponding decryption key, reducing the sending fee to the sender for delivery of the e-mail message. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method for a service provider to be compensated for delivering an e-mail message for a sender, the method comprising:
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delivering the e-mail message for the sender to an e-mail address for a recipient, the e-mail message including at least a portion that is encrypted with a encryption key based on the recipient'"'"'s e-mail address; charging the sender a first fee for delivery of the e-mail message to the e-mail address for the recipient if the recipient has not requested a corresponding decryption key for the encryption key within a predetermined time period; and charging the sender a second fee for delivery of the e-mail message to the e-mail address for the recipient if the recipient has requested the corresponding decryption key within the predetermined time period, the second fee being less than the first fee. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification