Patent US6434601B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6434601B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Pre test electronic mail process
Assignee: Round Rock Research LLC
•
Filing: 1999-03-31
•
Granted: 2002-08-13
•
Expires: 2019-03-31
Abstract
Abstract The present invention provides a method and apparatus which operates completely in the background (i.e., transparent to the user) to verify the validity of an addressee's Internet e-mail address. The invention seeks to prevent the delivery of an e-mail message having an incorrect user name, server name, or a misspelling in either or both in the addressee's Internet e-mail address. If an error is detected, it is called to the sender's attention, where it may be corrected before the message is sent.
Inventors
- 👤 Doug Rollins
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 09:26
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L51/00; H04L51/48; H04L51/21; H04L51/23
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 69
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
A method of sending an electronic mail (e-mail) message, the method comprising: receiving as an input at least one e-mail address for at least one intended recipient of said e-mail message into an address accepting field of an e-mail software program; verifying whether said at least one entered e-mail address is valid and able to receive e-mail messages, said verification being performed by said e-mail software program sending a ping/test message prior to sending said e-mail message to said at least one intended recipient; and sending said e-mail message to said at least one intended recipient with said e-mail software program.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
101 words
A method of sending an electronic mail (e-mail) message, the method comprising: receiving as an input at least one e-mail address for at least one intended recipient of said e-mail message into an address accepting field of an e-mail software program; verifying whether said at least one entered e-mail address is valid and able to receive e-mail messages, said verification being performed by said e-mail software program sending a ping/test message prior to sending said e-mail message to said at least one intended recipient; and sending said e-mail message to said at least one intended recipient with said e-mail software program.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method as in claim 1 further comprising preventing the sending of said e-mail message in the event said at least one entered e-mail address is invalid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method as in claim 1 further comprising preventing the sending of said e-mail message prior to completion of said act of verifying.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method as in claim 1 further comprising: identifying a host server for said at least one intended recipient prior to sending said e-mail message to said at least one intended recipient; and verifying the existence of said host server prior to sending said e-mail message.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
68 words
The method as in claim 1 further comprising: identifying a host server for said at least one intended recipient prior to sending said e-mail message to said at least one intended recipient; executing a ping with said e-mail software program to said host server; and receiving a response from said host server before sending said e-mail message, said response providing verification of the existence of said host server.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as in claim 5 , wherein said act of executing is transparent to a user of said e-mail software program.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method as in claim 6 , wherein said act of executing occurs only after a user of said e-mail software program positions a cursor into a subject accepting field of said e-mail software program.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method as in claim 5 wherein receiving the response comprises receiving an affirmative response from said host server, said affirmative response verifying the existence of said host server.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
71 words
The method as in claim 1 further comprising: identifying a host server for said at least one intended recipient prior to sending said e-mail message to said at least one intended recipient; executing a ping with said e-mail software program to said host server; receiving no response from said host server; and notifying a user of said e-mail software program that an error exists in said at least one e-mail address.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method as in claim 4 further comprising: identifying a username for said at least one intended recipient prior to sending said e-mail message to said at least one intended recipient; and verifying status of said at least one username as a valid client on said host server.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
79 words
The method as in claim 4 further comprising: identifying a username for said at least one intended recipient prior to sending said e-mail message to said at least one intended recipient; sending a message with said e-mail software program to said host server; and receiving a test response from said host server before sending said e-mail message, said test response providing verification of the status of said at least one username as a valid client on said host server.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as in claim 11 , wherein said act of sending is transparent to a user of said e-mail software program.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method as in claim 12 , wherein said act of sending occurs only after a user of said e-mail software program positions a cursor into a message accepting field of said e-mail software program.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method as in claim 11 wherein receiving the test response comprises receiving a confirmation of test message delivery from said host server, said confirmation serving to confirm status of said at least one username as a valid client on said host server.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
80 words
The method as in claim 4 further comprising: identifying a username for said at least one intended recipient prior to sending said e-mail message to said at least one intended recipient; sending a test message with said e-mail software program to said host server; receiving a negative response from said host server; and in response to receipt of said negative response, notifying a user of said e-mail software program that an error exists in said at least one e-mail address.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
79 words
A system for sending an electronic mail (e-mail) message, the system comprising: a processor-based device capable of running an e-mail software program; said e-mail software program being capable of sending a ping/test message to verify whether an e-mail address entered into an e-mail address accepting field of said software program is valid and able to receive e-mail messages; and said e-mail software program being capable of performing said verification prior to sending said e-mail message to an intended recipient.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
79 words
A system for sending an electronic mail (e-mail) message, the system comprising: a processor-based device capable of running an e-mail software program; said e-mail software program being capable of sending a ping/test message to verify whether an e-mail address entered into an e-mail address accepting field of said software program is valid and able to receive e-mail messages; and said e-mail software program being capable of performing said verification prior to sending said e-mail message to an intended recipient.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system as in claim 16 , wherein said e-mail software program running on said processor-based device is capable of preventing the sending of said e-mail message in the event said e-mail address is invalid.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system as in claim 16 , wherein said e-mail software program running on said processor-based device is capable of preventing the sending of said e-mail message prior to performing said verification.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system as in claim 16 , wherein said e-mail software program running on said processor-based device is capable of verifying the existence of a host server for an intended recipient, said verification occurring prior to sending said e-mail message.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system as claim 16 , wherein said e-mail software program is capable of executing a ping to a host server for an intended recipient prior to sending said e-mail message.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system as in claim 20 , wherein said e-mail software program is capable of receiving a response from said server prior to sending said e-mail message, receipt of said response providing verification of the existence of said host server.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
28 words
The system as in claim 20 , wherein said e-mail software program is capable of executing said ping in a background of the operation of said e-mail program.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system as in claim 21 , wherein said e-mail software program is capable of determining that an error exists in said e-mail address upon receiving no response from said host server.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system as in claim 23 , wherein said e-mail software program is capable of notifying a user of said software program that said error exists.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
43 words
The system as in claim 16 , wherein said e-mail software program running on said processor-based device is capable of verifying the status of a username in said e-mail address as being a valid client on a host server for said intended recipient.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system as in claim 16 , wherein said e-mail software program is capable of sending a test message to a host server for an intended recipient prior to sending said e-mail message.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
52 words
The system as in claim 26 , wherein said e-mail software program is capable of receiving a response from said host server prior to sending said e-mail message, receipt of said response providing verification of the status of a username in said e-mail address as a valid client on said host server.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system as in claim 26 , wherein said e-mail software program is capable of sending said test message in a background of the operation of said e-mail program.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system as in claim 27 , wherein said e-mail software program is capable of determining that an error exists in said e-mail address upon receiving a negative response from said host server.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system as in claim 29 , wherein said e-mail software program is capable of notifying a user of said software program that said error exists.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
117 words
A computer readable storage medium containing a computer readable code for operating a computer to perform a method of sending an electronic mail (e-mail) message, said method comprising: receiving as an input at least one e-mail address for at least one intended recipient of said e-mail message into an address accepting field of an e-mail software program; verifying whether said at least one entered e-mail address is valid and able to receive e-mail messages, said verification being performed by said e-mail software program sending a ping/test message prior to sending said e-mail message to said at least one intended recipient; and sending said e-mail message to said at least one intended recipient with said e-mail software program.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
117 words
A computer readable storage medium containing a computer readable code for operating a computer to perform a method of sending an electronic mail (e-mail) message, said method comprising: receiving as an input at least one e-mail address for at least one intended recipient of said e-mail message into an address accepting field of an e-mail software program; verifying whether said at least one entered e-mail address is valid and able to receive e-mail messages, said verification being performed by said e-mail software program sending a ping/test message prior to sending said e-mail message to said at least one intended recipient; and sending said e-mail message to said at least one intended recipient with said e-mail software program.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
33 words
The computer readable storage medium of claim 31 , wherein said method further comprises preventing the sending of said e-mail message in the event said at least one entered e-mail address is invalid.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
30 words
The computer readable storage medium of claim 31 , wherein said method further comprises preventing the sending of said e-mail message prior to completion of said method act of verifying.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
19 words
The computer readable storage medium of claim 31 , wherein said storage medium further comprises a portable storage medium.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
19 words
The computer readable storage medium of claim 34 , wherein said portable storage medium further comprises a floppy disk.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
18 words
The computer readable storage medium of claim 34 , wherein said portable storage medium further comprises a CD-ROM.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
23 words
The computer readable storage medium of claim 31 , wherein said storage medium further comprises a stationary storage medium stored within said computer.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
19 words
The computer readable storage medium of claim 37 , wherein said stationary storage medium further comprises a hard disk.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
59 words
The computer readable storage medium of claim 31 , wherein said method further comprises: identifying a host server for said at least one intended recipient prior to sending said e-mail message to said at least one intended recipient; and verifying the existence of said host server prior to sending said e-mail message to said at least one intended recipient.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
74 words
The computer readable storage medium of claim 31 , wherein said method further comprises: identifying a host server for said at least one intended recipient prior to sending said e-mail message to said at least one intended recipient; executing a ping with said e-mail software program to said host server; and receiving a response from said host server before sending said e-mail message, said response providing verification of the existence of said host server.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
25 words
The computer readable storage medium of claim 40 , wherein said method act of executing is transparent to a user of said e-mail software program.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
38 words
The computer readable storage medium of claim 41 , wherein said method act of executing occurs only after a user of said e-mail software program positions a cursor into a subject accepting field of said e-mail software program.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
36 words
The computer readable storage medium of claim 40 , wherein said method act of receiving the response comprises receiving an affirmative response from said host server, said affirmative response verifying the existence of said host server.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
77 words
The computer readable storage medium of claim 31 , wherein said method further comprises: identifying a host server for said at least one intended recipient prior to sending said e-mail message to said at least one intended recipient; executing a ping with said e-mail software program to said host server; receiving no response from said host server; and notifying a user of said e-mail software program that an error exists in said at least one e-mail address.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
54 words
The computer readable storage medium of claim 40 , wherein said method further comprises: identifying a username for said at least one intended recipient prior to sending said e-mail message to said at least one intended recipient; and verifying status of said at least one username as a valid client on said host server.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
86 words
The computer readable storage medium of claim 45 , wherein said method further comprises: identifying a username for said at least one intended recipient prior to sending said e-mail message to said at least one intended recipient; sending a test message with said e-mail software program to said host server; and receiving a test response from said host server before sending said e-mail message, said test response providing verification of the status of said at least one username as a valid client on said host server.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
24 words
The computer readable storage medium of claim 46 , wherein said act of sending is transparent to a user of said e-mail software program.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
37 words
The computer readable storage medium of claim 47 , wherein said act of sending occurs only after a user of said e-mail software program positions a cursor into a message accepting field of said e-mail software program.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
46 words
The computer readable storage medium of claim 46 , wherein receiving the test response comprises receiving a confirmation of test message delivery from said host server, said confirmation serving to confirm status of said at least one username as a valid client on said host server.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
78 words
The computer readable storage medium of claim 46 , wherein said method further comprises: identifying a username for said at least one intended recipient prior to sending said e-mail message to said at least one intended recipient; sending a test message with said e-mail software program to said host server; receiving a negative response from said host server; and notifying a user of said e-mail software program that an error exists in said at least one e-mail address.
Claim 54
Independent Claim
134 words
A method of transmitting computer readable code comprising the act of transmitting said computer readable code over a communication path, said code being executable by a processor as an e-mail software program to carry out a method of sending an electronic mail (e-mail) message, said sending method comprising: entering at least one e-mail address for at least one intended recipient of said e-mail message into an address accepting field of an e-mail software program; verifying whether said at least one entered e-mail address is valid and able to receive e-mail messages, said verification being performed by said e-mail software program sending a ping/test message prior to sending said e-mail message to said at least one intended recipient; and sending said e-mail message to said at least one intended recipient with said e-mail software program.
Claim 55
Independent Claim
134 words
A method of transmitting computer readable code comprising the act of transmitting said computer readable code over a communication path, said code being executable by a processor as an e-mail software program to carry out a method of sending an electronic mail (e-mail) message, said sending method comprising: entering at least one e-mail address for at least one intended recipient of said e-mail message into an address accepting field of an e-mail software program; verifying whether said at least one entered e-mail address is valid and able to receive e-mail messages, said verification being performed by said e-mail software program sending a ping/test message prior to sending said e-mail message to said at least one intended recipient; and sending said e-mail message to said at least one intended recipient with said e-mail software program.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 51 , wherein said sending method further comprises preventing the sending of said e-mail message in the event said at least one entered e-mail address is invalid.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 51 , wherein said sending method further comprises preventing the sending of said e-mail message prior to completion of said method act of verifying.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
57 words
The method of claim 51 , wherein said sending method further comprises: identifying a host server for said at least one intended recipient prior to sending said e-mail message to said at least one intended recipient; and verifying the existence of said host server prior to sending said e-mail message to said at least one intended recipient.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
72 words
The method of claim 51 , wherein said sending method further comprises: identifying a host server for said at least one intended recipient prior to sending said e-mail message to said at least one intended recipient; executing a ping with said e-mail software program to said host server; and receiving a response from said host server before sending said e-mail message, said response providing verification of the existence of said host server.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 55 , wherein said act of executing is transparent to a user of said e-mail software program.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 56 , wherein said act of executing occurs only after a user of said e-mail software program positions a cursor into a subject accepting field of said e-mail software program.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 55 , wherein receiving the response comprises receiving an affirmative response from said host server, said affirmative response verifying the existence of said host server.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
75 words
The method of claim 51 , wherein said sending method further comprises: identifying a host server for said at least one intended recipient prior to sending said e-mail message to said at least one intended recipient; executing a ping with said e-mail software program to said host server; receiving no response from said host server; and notifying a user of said e-mail software program that an error exists in said at least one e-mail address.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 55 , wherein said sending method further comprises: identifying a username for said at least one intended recipient prior to sending said e-mail message to said at least one intended recipient; and verifying status of said at least one username as a valid client on said host server.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
84 words
The method of claim 55 , wherein said sending method further comprises: identifying a username for said at least one intended recipient prior to sending said e-mail message to said at least one intended recipient; sending a test message with said e-mail software program to said host server; and receiving a test response from said host server before sending said e-mail message, said test response providing verification of the status of said at least one username as a valid client on said host server.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 61 , wherein said act of sending is transparent to a user of said e-mail software program.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 62 , wherein said act of sending occurs only after a user of said e-mail software program positions a cursor into a message accepting field of said e-mail software program.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 61 , wherein receiving the test response comprises receiving a confirmation of test message delivery from said host server, said confirmation serving to confirm status of said at least one username as a valid client on said host server.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
76 words
The method of claim 55 , wherein said sending method further comprises: identifying a username for said at least one intended recipient prior to sending said e-mail message to said at least one intended recipient; sending a test message with said e-mail software program to said host server; receiving a negative response from said host server; and notifying a user of said e-mail software program that an error exists in said at least one e-mail address.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2005-08-12 | 2006-02-11 | 2006-08-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-08-12 | 2010-02-11 | 2010-08-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-08-12 | 2014-02-11 | 2014-08-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |