Web Based E-Mail System with Address Book Functionality

Abstract

An embodiment, by way of non-limiting example, comprises a computer program embodied on computer-readable media for providing web-based e-mail comprising software segments for uploading an address book from a client machine to a web server. Another embodiment, by way of non-limiting example, comprises a method for updating recipients with a new e-mail address including sending an update e-mail to a plurality of recipients listed in an address book.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a divisional of U.S. Ser. No. 09 / 997,322 filed Nov. 27, 2001, which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 09 / 401,026 filed Sep. 21, 1999, both of which are incorporated herein by reference. This application further claims the benefits of U.S. Ser. No. 09 / 400,708 filed Sep. 21, 1999 and U.S. Ser. No. 09 / 400,712 filed Sep. 21, 1999, both of which are incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND[0002]This invention relates generally to electronic messages and, more particularly e-mail systems utilizing an HTML format for delivery over a TCP / IP protocol network.[0003]E-mail systems of various types have been available for many years. In such systems, user computers or “machines” typically are either intermittently or are permanently connected to a network, such that electronic mail (“e-mail”) can be sent from one user's machine to another. Most e-mail systems allow address books and distribution lists to be maintained, such that the e-mail can b...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006]The present invention provides an enhanced e-mail method and system which increases the enjoyment and usage of e-mail systems, and wide-scale distribution of enhanced e-mail messages. As such, it can be advertiser supported to provide “free” e-mail services for members. Further enhancements can support paid membership services, and commercial services can also be provided.

Problems solved by technology

Proprietary e-mail systems have, of course, the associated cost of implementing and maintaining both the network and the e-mail system.

A problem with e-mail documents of the prior art is that they tend to be fairly plain and, therefore, not terribly compelling as a transmission media.

However, e-mail is truly a “push” technology in that it is “pushed” from a server to a recipient without any real interactivity between the recipient and the received media.

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