US5870548A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for altering sent electronic mail messages
Assignee: Oracle America Inc
•
Filing: 1996-04-05
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Granted: 1999-02-09
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Expires: 2016-04-05
Abstract
Abstract Apparatus methods, systems and computer program products are disclosed to provide electronic mail systems with the capability to act on previously-sent messages that have passed beyond the scope of control of the sending e-mail system.
Inventors
- 👤 Jakob Nielsen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 09:02
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L51/00; H04L51/07; H04L51/18; G; G06; G06Q; G06Q10/00; G06Q10/10; G06Q10/107; H04L51/21; H04L51/234
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 56
Claim 1
Independent Claim
99 words
A computer controlled method for altering a previously-sent electronic mail (e-mail) message; said previously-sent e-mail message sent by an originating e-mail system to a receiving e-mail system; said originating e-mail system having a scope of control where said receiving e-mail system is beyond said scope of control; said originating e-mail system maintaining information regarding said previously-sent e-mail message; said method comprising the steps of: selecting said previously-sent e-mail message by using said information; constructing an action message using said information; sending said action message to said receiving e-mail system; and receiving said action message by said receiving e-mail system.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
99 words
A computer controlled method for altering a previously-sent electronic mail (e-mail) message; said previously-sent e-mail message sent by an originating e-mail system to a receiving e-mail system; said originating e-mail system having a scope of control where said receiving e-mail system is beyond said scope of control; said originating e-mail system maintaining information regarding said previously-sent e-mail message; said method comprising the steps of: selecting said previously-sent e-mail message by using said information; constructing an action message using said information; sending said action message to said receiving e-mail system; and receiving said action message by said receiving e-mail system.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The computer controlled method of claim 1 further comprising a step of viewing said action message by a recipient.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The computer controlled method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of: receiving said previously-sent e-mail message; and altering said previously-sent e-mail message as directed by said action message.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
31 words
The computer controlled method of claim 3 wherein said action message is a cancel message and wherein said step of altering further comprises the step of deleting said previously-sent e-mail message.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
59 words
The computer controlled method of claim 4 wherein said previously-sent e-mail message further comprises a public key and a unique message identifier; and wherein said cancel message further comprises an encrypted unique message identifier formed from a private key and said unique message identifier; and wherein said step of altering further comprises the step of authenticating said cancel message.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The computer controlled method of claim 3 wherein said step of altering further comprises the step of sending a confirmation message to said originating e-mail system.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
31 words
The computer controlled method of claim 3 wherein said action message is a modify message and wherein said step for altering further comprises the step of modifying said previously-sent e-mail message.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
59 words
The computer controlled method of claim 7 wherein said previously-sent e-mail message further comprises a public key and a unique message identifier; and wherein said modify message further comprises an encrypted unique message identifier formed from a private key and said unique message identifier; and wherein said step of altering further comprises the step of authenticating said modify message.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The computer controlled method of claim 1 further comprising the step of handling duplicates of said action message.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The computer controlled method of claim 1 further comprising the step of synchronizing actions of a plurality of action messages on said previously-sent e-mail message.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
142 words
An electronic mail (e-mail) system having an originating e-mail system, a receiving e-mail system and a network; each of said originating system and said receiving system having a central processing unit (CPU), a memory coupled to said CPU, a network interface for connecting to said network, a display, and a filestorage; said originating e-mail system having a scope of control where said receiving e-mail system is beyond said scope of control; said originating e-mail system maintaining information regarding a previously-sent e-mail message; said e-mail system comprising: a selection mechanism configured to select said previously-sent e-mail message by using said information; a fabrication mechanism configured to construct an action message using said information; a delivery mechanism configured to send said action message to said receiving e-mail system; and a first reception mechanism configured to receive said action message by said receiving e-mail system.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
142 words
An electronic mail (e-mail) system having an originating e-mail system, a receiving e-mail system and a network; each of said originating system and said receiving system having a central processing unit (CPU), a memory coupled to said CPU, a network interface for connecting to said network, a display, and a filestorage; said originating e-mail system having a scope of control where said receiving e-mail system is beyond said scope of control; said originating e-mail system maintaining information regarding a previously-sent e-mail message; said e-mail system comprising: a selection mechanism configured to select said previously-sent e-mail message by using said information; a fabrication mechanism configured to construct an action message using said information; a delivery mechanism configured to send said action message to said receiving e-mail system; and a first reception mechanism configured to receive said action message by said receiving e-mail system.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
The e-mail system of claim 11 further comprising a message display mechanism configured to view said action message by a recipient.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
36 words
The e-mail system of claim 11 further comprising: a second reception mechanism configured to receive said previously-sent e-mail message; and an adjustment mechanism configured to alter said previously-sent e-mail message as directed by said action message.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
31 words
The e-mail system of claim 13 wherein said action message is a cancel message and wherein said adjustment mechanism further comprises a deletion mechanism configured to delete said previously-sent e-mail message.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
59 words
The e-mail system of claim 14 wherein said previously-sent e-mail message further comprises a public key and a unique message identifier; and wherein said cancel message further comprises an encrypted unique message identifier formed from a private key and said unique message identifier; and wherein said adjustment mechanism further comprises an authentication mechanism configured to authenticate said cancel message.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
The e-mail system of claim 13 wherein said adjustment mechanism further comprises a confirmation mechanism configured to send a confirmation message to said originating e-mail system.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
The e-mail system of claim 13 wherein said action message is a modify message and wherein said adjustment mechanism further comprises a modification mechanism configured to modify said previously-sent e-mail message.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
59 words
The e-mail system of claim 17 wherein said previously-sent e-mail message further comprises a public key and a unique message identifier, and wherein said modify message further comprises an encrypted unique message identifier formed from a private key and said unique message identifier; and wherein said adjustment mechanism further comprises an authentication mechanism configured to authenticate said modify message.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
20 words
The e-mail system of claim 11 further comprising a duplicate message mechanism configured to handle duplicates of said action message.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
The e-mail system of claim 11 further comprising a message synchronization mechanism configured to synchronize actions of a plurality of action messages on said previously-sent e-mail message.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
101 words
An apparatus for sending an action message; said apparatus having a central processing unit (CPU), a memory coupled to said CPU, a network interface for connecting to a network, a display, and a filestorage; said apparatus having a scope of control where a destination is beyond said scope of control; said apparatus maintaining information regarding a previously-sent e-mail message; said apparatus comprising: a selection mechanism configured to select said previously-sent e-mail message by using said information; a fabrication mechanism configured to construct an action message using said information; and a delivery mechanism configured to send said action message to said destination.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
101 words
An apparatus for sending an action message; said apparatus having a central processing unit (CPU), a memory coupled to said CPU, a network interface for connecting to a network, a display, and a filestorage; said apparatus having a scope of control where a destination is beyond said scope of control; said apparatus maintaining information regarding a previously-sent e-mail message; said apparatus comprising: a selection mechanism configured to select said previously-sent e-mail message by using said information; a fabrication mechanism configured to construct an action message using said information; and a delivery mechanism configured to send said action message to said destination.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 21 wherein said action message is a cancel message.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 22 wherein said previously-sent e-mail message further comprises a public key and a unique message identifier; and wherein said cancel message further comprises an encrypted unique message identifier formed from a private key and said unique message identifier.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
13 words
The apparatus of claim 21 wherein said action message is a modify message.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said previously-sent e-mail message further comprises a public key and a unique message identifier, and wherein said modify message further comprises an encrypted unique message identifier formed from a private key and said unique message identifier.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
105 words
An apparatus for applying an action message to a previously-sent e-mail message; said apparatus having a central processing unit (CPU), a memory coupled to said CPU, a network interface for connecting to a network, a display, and a filestorage; said apparatus receiving said action message from an originating e-mail system having a scope of control where said apparatus is beyond said scope of control; said apparatus comprising: a first reception mechanism configured to receive said action message; a second reception mechanism configured to receive said previously-sent e-mail message; and an adjustment mechanism configured to alter said previously-sent e-mail message as directed by said action message.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
105 words
An apparatus for applying an action message to a previously-sent e-mail message; said apparatus having a central processing unit (CPU), a memory coupled to said CPU, a network interface for connecting to a network, a display, and a filestorage; said apparatus receiving said action message from an originating e-mail system having a scope of control where said apparatus is beyond said scope of control; said apparatus comprising: a first reception mechanism configured to receive said action message; a second reception mechanism configured to receive said previously-sent e-mail message; and an adjustment mechanism configured to alter said previously-sent e-mail message as directed by said action message.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 26 wherein said action message is a cancel message and wherein said adjustment mechanism further comprises a deletion mechanism configured to delete said previously-sent e-mail message.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
58 words
The apparatus of claim 27 wherein said previously-sent e-mail message further comprises a public key and a unique message identifier; and wherein said cancel message further comprises an encrypted unique message identifier formed from a private key and said unique message identifier; and wherein said adjustment mechanism further comprises an authentication mechanism configured to authenticate said cancel message.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 27 wherein said adjustment mechanism further comprises a confirmation mechanism configured to send a confirmation message to said originating e-mail system.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
30 words
The apparatus of claim 26 wherein said action message is a modify message and wherein said adjustment mechanism further comprises a modification mechanism configured to modify said previously-sent e-mail message.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
58 words
The apparatus of claim 30 wherein said previously-sent e-mail message further comprises a public key and a unique message identifier, and wherein said modify message further comprises an encrypted unique message identifier formed from a private key and said unique message identifier; and wherein said adjustment mechanism further comprises an authentication mechanism configured to authenticate said modify message.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 26 further comprising a duplicate message mechanism configured to handle duplicates of said action message.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 26 further comprising a message synchronization mechanism configured to synchronize actions of a plurality of action messages.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
112 words
An computer program product comprising: a computer usable medium having computer readable code embodied therein for causing a computer to send an action message to alter a previously-sent e-mail message; said action message and said previously-sent e-mail message sent to a destination; said computer program product comprising: computer readable code devices configured to cause said computer to effect a selection mechanism configured to select said previously-sent e-mail message; computer readable code devices configured to cause said computer to effect a fabrication mechanism configured to construct said action message; and computer readable code devices configured to cause said computer to effect a delivery mechanism configured to send said action message to said destination.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
112 words
An computer program product comprising: a computer usable medium having computer readable code embodied therein for causing a computer to send an action message to alter a previously-sent e-mail message; said action message and said previously-sent e-mail message sent to a destination; said computer program product comprising: computer readable code devices configured to cause said computer to effect a selection mechanism configured to select said previously-sent e-mail message; computer readable code devices configured to cause said computer to effect a fabrication mechanism configured to construct said action message; and computer readable code devices configured to cause said computer to effect a delivery mechanism configured to send said action message to said destination.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
15 words
The computer program product of claim 34 wherein said action message is a cancel message.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
44 words
The computer program product of claim 35 wherein said previously-sent e-mail message further comprises a public key and a unique message identifier; and wherein said cancel message further comprises an encrypted unique message identifier formed from a private key and said unique message identifier.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
15 words
The computer program product of claim 34 wherein said action message is a modify message.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
44 words
The computer program product of claim 37 wherein said previously-sent e-mail message further comprises a public key and a unique message identifier; and wherein said modify message further comprises an encrypted unique message identifier formed from a private key and said unique message identifier.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
106 words
An computer program product comprising: a computer usable medium having computer readable code embodied therein for causing a computer to apply an action message to alter a previously-sent e-mail message; said computer program product comprising: computer readable code devices configured to cause said computer to effect a first reception mechanism configured to receive said action message; computer readable code devices configured to cause said computer to effect a second reception mechanism configured to receive said previously-sent e-mail message; and computer readable code devices configured to cause said computer to effect an adjustment mechanism configured to alter said previously-sent e-mail message as directed by said action message.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
106 words
An computer program product comprising: a computer usable medium having computer readable code embodied therein for causing a computer to apply an action message to alter a previously-sent e-mail message; said computer program product comprising: computer readable code devices configured to cause said computer to effect a first reception mechanism configured to receive said action message; computer readable code devices configured to cause said computer to effect a second reception mechanism configured to receive said previously-sent e-mail message; and computer readable code devices configured to cause said computer to effect an adjustment mechanism configured to alter said previously-sent e-mail message as directed by said action message.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
43 words
The computer program product of claim 39 wherein said action message is a cancel message and wherein said adjustment mechanism further comprises computer readable code devices configured to cause said computer to effect a deletion mechanism configured to delete said previously-sent e-mail message.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
71 words
The computer program product of claim 40 wherein said previously-sent e-mail message further comprises a public key and a unique message identifier; and wherein said cancel message further comprises an encrypted unique message identifier formed from a private key and said unique message identifier; and wherein said adjustment mechanism further comprises computer readable code devices configured to cause said computer to effect an authentication mechanism configured to authenticate said cancel message.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
33 words
The computer program product of claim 41 wherein said adjustment mechanism further comprises computer readable code devices configured to cause said computer to effect a confirmation mechanism configured to send a confirmation message.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
43 words
The computer program product of claim 39 wherein said action message is a modify message and wherein said adjustment mechanism further comprises computer readable code devices configured to cause said computer to effect a modification mechanism configured to modify said previously-sent e-mail message.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
71 words
The computer program product of claim 43 wherein said previously-sent e-mail message further comprises a public key and a unique message identifier, and wherein said modify message further comprises an encrypted unique message identifier formed from a private key and said unique message identifier; and wherein said adjustment mechanism further comprises computer readable code devices configured to cause said computer to effect an authentication mechanism configured to authenticate said modify message.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
32 words
The computer program product of claim 39 further comprising computer readable code devices configured to cause said computer to effect a duplicate message mechanism configured to handle duplicates of said action message.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
34 words
The computer program product of claim 39 further comprising computer readable code devices configured to cause said computer to effect a message synchronization mechanism configured to synchronize actions of a plurality of action messages.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
90 words
A computer controlled method for altering a previously-sent electronic mail (e-mail) message; said previously-sent e-mail message sent by an originating e-mail system to a receiving e-mail system; said originating e-mail system having a scope of control where said receiving e-mail system is beyond said scope of control; said originating e-mail system maintaining information regarding said previously-sent e-mail message; said method comprising the steps of: selecting said previously-sent e-mail message by using said information; constructing an action message using said information; and sending said action message to said receiving e-mail system.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
90 words
A computer controlled method for altering a previously-sent electronic mail (e-mail) message; said previously-sent e-mail message sent by an originating e-mail system to a receiving e-mail system; said originating e-mail system having a scope of control where said receiving e-mail system is beyond said scope of control; said originating e-mail system maintaining information regarding said previously-sent e-mail message; said method comprising the steps of: selecting said previously-sent e-mail message by using said information; constructing an action message using said information; and sending said action message to said receiving e-mail system.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
24 words
The computer controlled method of claim 47 further comprising the steps of: receiving said action message; and viewing said action message by a recipient.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
33 words
The computer controlled method of claim 47 further comprising the steps of: receiving said action message; receiving said previously-sent e-mail message; and altering said previously-sent e-mail message as directed by said action message.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4503499A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-02-08 | 2002-08-10 | 2003-02-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-02-08 | 2006-08-10 | 2007-02-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-02-08 | 2010-08-10 | 2011-02-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |