WO2000068812A1

WO2000068812A1 - Method of operating an email directory service

Info

Publication number: WO2000068812A1
Application number: PCT/US2000/011650
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert Wesley Bossemeyer, Jr.; Dale Brian Halling; Bruce Edward Stuckman
Original assignee: Ameritech Corporation
Priority date: 1999-05-06
Filing date: 2000-05-01
Publication date: 2000-11-16
Also published as: AU4809500A

Abstract

A method of operating an email directory service performs the following steps: (a) composing an email, by a user, having an indicator of an intended recipient in a name portion of an email address and an email directory service domain name in a domain name portion of the email address (102); (b) sending the email over an internet to an email directory service server (104); (c) accessing a real email address for the intended recipient using the indicator (106); and (d) transmitting the email to the recipient using the real email address (108).

Description

METHOD OF OPERATING AN EMAIL DIRECTORY SERVICE

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to internet email systems and more particularly to a method of operating an email directory service.

Background of the Invention

Electronic mail (email) has become almost as pervasive a means of contacting people as telephones. Most email systems use the same protocols as email sent over the internet. Internet email systems use the SMTP (simple mail transfer protocol) to send mail between users.

The SMTP runs on top of TCP/IP (transmission control protocol/ internet protocol). The IP protocol specifies a connection-less packet transfer system. The IP packets are called datagrams and contain a source and destination address as well as a data payload. The TCP protocol specifies a connection oriented protocol that runs on top of the

IP protocol. The TCP protocol contains a number of commands that are used in setting up, controlling and taking down a virtual connection. These commands and data are contained in a segment that is encapsulated into an IP datagram. The SMTP contains just a couple of simple commands that are used to transfer email messages. SMTP is a connection oriented system. Because SMTP is connection oriented it requires that email destinations be available to receive email at any time. However this was not practical for dial-up systems and client- server systems. Thus the POP (Post Office Protocol) standard was developed to store incoming mail messages. The POP protocol allows an email server to receive and store email for many users. The user

(client) receives their email when they connect to the email server by using an SMTP-compatible mail client.

One problem with internet email is that there is no general way to look-up a user's email. Large companies often have internal directories that allow a person to find a person's office email address by the person's name. Some Internet Service Providers (ISPs) provide a similar service for their members, but most do not. There are some directory services on the internet that attempt to provide physical addresses, telephone numbers and email address of people by their name. Unfortunately, these services are often incomplete and do not provide a person' s business email address.

Thus there exists a need for an email directory service.

Brief Description of the Drawings

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an email system having an email directory service in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an email directory service in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a sketch of computer email screen having an email directory service in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a method of operating an email directory service in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of a method of operating an email directory service in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIGs. 6-8 are a flow chart of a method of operating an email directory service in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; FIGs. 9-10 are a flow chart of a method of operating an email directory service in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; an d

FIG. 11 is a flow chart of a method of operating an email directory service in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description of the Drawings

The invention provides a simple method for people to send email to a person having an unknown email address. An email directory service provides an easy method of sending email to people for which the sender does not have the recipient' s real email address. The method, in one embodiment, has the sender compose an email having an indicator of the intended recipient in a name portion of an email address. In one embodiment the indicator is a recipient' s telephone number. In another embodiment the indicator is a recipient' s name and telephone number. An email directory service domain name is entered in the domain name portion of the email address. The email is sent to an email directory service server. The email directory service server accesses the real email address for the intended recipient using the indicator. The email directory service server then transmits the email to the intended recipient using the real email address. The telephone number of the recipient makes a very good indicator since most people know the telephone number of the recipient and the telephone number can be readily obtained from present directories. In addition the telephone number discriminates between a recipient' s home and office.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an email system 20 having an email directory service 22 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The email directory service 22 is connected to the internet 24 allowing the service 22 to receive emails needing directory assistance and to forward emails to intended recipients. A user's computer 26 needing directory service is connected to an ISP (Internet Service Provider) 28 through a central office (CO) 30 of the PSTN (Public Switched Telephone Number). In another embodiment, the user could be in a corporation and be connected to the internet through the company' s gateway to the internet. When the user needs email directory service he transmits an email having an indicator of the user in a name portion email address and the email directory service domain name in the domain name portion of the email. The ISP 28 contacts a DNS (Domain Name Service) 32 which converts the domain name to the IP address of the site. The ISP 28 then forwards the email over the internet to the email directory service 22. The email directory service 22 accesses the recipient' s real email address using the indicator. The email directory service 22 then forwards the email over the internet 24 to a mail server 34. The recipient's computer 36 can then pickup the email the next time he logs into the mail server 34.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an email directory service 40 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. A web server 42 connects to the internet 44. The web server 42 also includes a transaction process (TP) monitor and application servers. Different embodiments of the invention may use less than all these applications. A data server 46 is connected to the web server 42 by a local area network 48. The data server 46 is the database that correlates the telephone number (recipient indicator) to the real email address for the user. An application in the web server, in one embodiment, requests this information and substitutes the real email address in the address portion of a received email and forwards it to the real user. A TP monitor may monitor this process. The web server will also include a message transfer agent application. The message transfer agent receives and forwards email on the internet. Other system embodiments are possible. The illustrated system is designed to show a system that is capable of implementing the methods described herein. The invention is not limited to any particular system embodiment. FIG. 3 is a sketch of computer email screen 60 having an email directory service in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

This email screen has the typical To:, Get Mail, Address buttons 62 but also includes a directory service button 64. When a user selects the directory service button the domain name 66 of the email directory service appears (e.g., ameritech.net). Instructions tell the user to enter the recipient's telephone number (or name or both) 68 in the name portion of the email address. The user then fills in the body of the email 70 and selects the send button. Note that other embodiments are also possible. For instance, the user could select the email directory service from a web page. The user then would receive a form having a standard email layout.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of a method of operating an email directory service in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The process starts, step 100, by the user composing an email having a telephone number of an intended recipient in the name portion of the email address and an email directory service domain name in a domain name portion of the email address at step 102. The email is sent over an internet to an email directory service server at step 104. The email directory service server accesses a real email address for the intended recipient using the telephone number at step 106. At step 108, the email is transmitted to the intended recipient using the real email address which ends the process at step 110.

In one embodiment, the intended recipient's computer (email server) sends an acknowledgment to the email directory service server. The server then sends a receipt of transfer to the user. In another embodiment the receipt includes the real email address of the recipient.

In another embodiment, the user's computer sends a hello command to the email directory service server when the user selects send. The computer receives a go-ahead command from the email directory service server. The computer sends the telephone number to the email directory service server. The email directory service server determines if there is a match for the telephone number. When there is a match, the server sends an acknowledgment to the user's computer. The computer sends the body of the email to the email directory service server. The email session between the user's computer and the email directory service server is terminated.

When the email directory server cannot find a match for the telephone number, the server sends an error message to the user's computer. This terminates the email session between the user' s computer and the email directory service server.

In another embodiment, the user' s computer sends a hello command to the email directory service server when the user selects send. The computer receives a go-ahead command from the email directory service server. The computer sends the telephone number to the email directory service server. The email directory service server determines that there are a plurality of matches to the telephone number. A response is sent containing a list of possible matches to the user. The user selects one of the list of possible matches. The email directory service server receives the one of the list of possible matches. The body of the email is sent to the email directory service server and the email session is terminated.

In another embodiment the email directory service server always sends a response when a match is found. The response includes at least one email address and an associated person' s name. This allows the user to determine if the person' s name corresponds to the intended recipient. If the user does not select any of the possibilities, the database may need to be updated. This could occur if a person were to move and have a new telephone number. The service can use this as a red flag that updated information may be needed.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart of a method of operating an email directory service in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The process starts, step 120, by selecting the email directory service by a user at step 122. The user enters the body of an email and a telephone number of an intended recipient at step 124. The user then clicks on a send button at step 126. The user receives a list of potential real email addresses at step 128. The user selects a real email address from the list of potential real email addresses at step 130. At step 132 the email is sent to the real email address which ends the process at step 1 34.

In one embodiment the user receives a CGI (Common Gateway Interface) script form having a standard email format, when they select the email directory service. CGI is an internet protocol that extends the capabilities of web servers. The CGI protocol provides a two-way interface between web clients and web servers. CGI script is a the set of commands that determine what happens when the client and server communicate. In another embodiment, clicking on the send button causes the telephone number to be received at the server of the email directory service. In addition the body of the email may be sent to the email directory service. The email directory service then accesses the list of potential real email addresses using the telephone number. The list of potential real email addresses is forwarded to the user.

In another embodiment, the email directory service receives the real email address that the user selects. The email directory service then attaches the real email address to the body of the email. The email directory service sends the email. In another embodiment, the user receives a form having a standard email format and a directory applet when the user selects the email directory service. An applet is a program that is executed by a

JAVA virtual machine. JAVA is a programming language for internet applications. A JAVA virtual machine is a program that allows a computer to execute a JAVA applet. The applet then forwards the telephone number to the email directory service. The service responds with the list of potential real email address. When the user selects the real email address from the list, the applet enters the real email address and body of the email in an email form of an email system.

FIGs. 6-8 are a flow chart of a method of operating an email directory service in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The process starts, step 150, by the user composing an email having a telephone number of an intended recipient in the name portion of the email address and an email directory service domain name in a domain name portion of the email address at step 152. The user' s computer sends a hello command to the email directory service server at step 154. The computer receives a go-ahead command from the email directory service server at step 156. The computer sends the telephone number to the email directory service server at step 158.

The email directory service server determines if there is a match for the telephone number at step 160. When there is a match, the server sends an acknowledgment to the user' s computer at step 162. The computer sends the body of the email to the email directory service server at step 164. The email session between the user' s computer and the email directory service server is terminated at step 166. The email directory service server accesses the real email address for the intended recipient using the telephone number at step 168. The email is transmitted to the intended recipient using the real email address at step 170. The service receives an acknowledgment of receipt from a computer associated with the intended recipient. At step 174, the service sends a receipt of transfer to the user which ends the process at step 176.

FIGs. 9-10 are a flow chart of a method of operating an email directory service in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

The process starts, step 180, by the user selecting the email directory service. The user receives a CGI script form having a standard email format at step 184. The user inputs a body of the email and a telephone number of an intended recipient at step 186. The user clicks on the send button at step 188. The email directory service server receives the telephone number at step 190. The server accesses a list of potential real email addresses using the telephone number at step 192. The server forwards the list of potential real email addresses to the user at step 194. The user selects a real email address from the list of potential real email addresses at step 196. The email directory service receives the real email address at step 198. The real email address is attached to the body of the email at step 200. At step 202, the email is sent from the email directory service to the real email address which ends the process at step 204. In one embodiment, the user receives a CGI script form having a standard email format when the user selects the email directory service.

In another embodiment, the email directory service receives the telephone number when the user clicks on a send button. In another embodiment, the body of the email is also sent to the service. The service accesses the list of potential real email address using the telephone number. The service then forwards the list of potential real email addresses to the user. In another embodiment, the email directory service receives the real email address when the user selects the real email address. The service then attaches the real email address to the body of the email. In another embodiment, the user receives a form having a standard email format and a directory applet when the user selects the email directory service. The user sends the telephone number to the email directory service. The service accesses the list of potential real email address using the telephone number. The service forwards the list of potential real email address. The directory applet enters the real email address and body of the email in an email form of an email system.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart of a method of operating an email directory service in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The process starts, step 220, by the user composing an email having an indicator of an intended recipient in the name portion of the email address and an email directory service domain name in a domain name portion of the email address at step 222. The email is sent over an internet to an email directory service server at step 224. The email directory service server accesses a real email address for the intended recipient using the indicator at step 226. At step 228, the email is transmitted to the intended recipient using the real email address which ends the process at step 230.

Thus there has been described an email directory service that is easy to use. The email directory service is able to differentiate between a recipient' s home and office email addresses. The methods described herein can be implemented as computer-readable instructions stored on a computer-readable storage medium that when executed by a computer will perform the methods described herein. While the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alterations, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications, and variations in the appended claims.

Claims

ClaimsWhat is claimed is:

1 . A method of operating an email directory service, comprising the steps of:

(a) composing an email, by a user, having a telephone number of an intended recipient in a name portion of an email address and an email directory service domain name in a domain name portion of the email address;

(b) sending the email over an internet to an email directory service server; (c) accessing a real email address for the intended recipient using the telephone number; and

(d) transmitting the email to the intended recipient using the real email address.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein step (b) further includes the steps of:

(b l ) sending a hello command to the email directory service server from a user' s computer;

(b2) receiving a go-ahead command from the email directory service server;

(b3) sending the telephone number to the email directory service server; (b4) determining at the email directory service server if there is a match for the telephone number;

(b5) when there is the match sending an acknowledgment to the user' s computer;

(b6) sending a body of the email to the email directory service server;

(b7) terminating an email session.

3. The method of claim 2, further including the steps of:

(b8) when there is not the match sending an error message to the user' s computer;

(b9) terminating the email session.

4. The method of claim 1 , wherein step (b) further includes the steps of:

(bl ) sending a hello command to the email directory service server from a user' s computer;

(b2) receiving a go-ahead command from the email directory service server;

(b3) sending the telephone number to the email directory service server; (b4) determining at the email directory service server that there are a plurality of matches for the telephone number; (b5) sending a response containing a list of possible matches;

(b6) selecting one the list of possible matches by a user; (b7) receiving the one of the list of possible matches at the email directory service server.

5. The method of claim 4, further including the steps of:

(b8) sending a body of the email to the email directory service server;

(b9) terminating an email session.

6. The method of claim 1 , further including the steps of:

(e) receiving an acknowledgment of receipt from a computer associated with the intended recipient; (f) sending a receipt of transfer to the user.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein step (f) includes the step of including the real email address.

8. A method of operating an email directory service, comprising the steps of:

(b) sending a hello command to an email directory service server from a user's computer; (c) receiving a go-ahead command from the email directory service server;

(d) sending the telephone number to the email directory service server;

(e) determining at the email directory service server if there is a match for the telephone number;

(f) when there is the match sending an acknowledgment to the user' s computer;

(g) sending a body of the email to the email directory service server; (h) terminating an email session between the user' s computer and the email directory service server;

(i) accessing a real email address for the intended recipient using the telephone number at the email directory service server; (j) transmitting the email to the intended recipient using the real email address;

(k) receiving an acknowledgment of receipt from a computer associated with the intended recipient; and

(1) sending a receipt of transfer to the user.

9. A method of operating an email directory service, comprising the steps of:

(a) selecting the email directory service by a user;

(b) entering a body of an email and a telephone number of an intended recipient;

(c) clicking on a send button;

(d) receiving a list of potential real email addresses; (e) selecting a real email address from the list of potential real email addresses; and

(f) sending the email to the real email address.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein step (a) further includes the steps of:

(al) receiving a CGI script form having a standard email format.

1 1 . The method of claim 10, wherein step (c) further includes the steps of:

(c l ) receiving the telephone number at a server of the email directory service;

(c2) accessing the list of potential real email addresses using the telephone number;

(c3) forwarding the list of potential real email addresses .

12. The method of claim 1 1 , wherein step (c l ) further includes the step of receiving the body of the email.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein step (e) further includes the steps of:

(el ) receiving the real email address at the email directory service;

(e2) attaching the real email address to the body of the email.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein step (f) further includes the step of sending the email from the email directory service.

1 5. The method of claim 9, wherein step (a) further includes the step of:

(al ) receiving a form having a standard email format and a directory applet.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein step (c) further includes the step of:

(cl ) sending the telephone number to the email directory service;

(c2) access the list of potential real email addresses using the telephone number;

(c3) forwarding the list of potential real email addresses .

17. The method of claim 16, wherein step (e) further includes the step of:

(el) executing the directory applet to enter the real email address and the body of the email in an email form of an email system.

- 21 - 1 8. A method of operating an email directory service, comprising the steps of:

(a) selecting the email directory service by a user; (b) receiving a script form having a standard email format;

(c) entering a body of an email and a telephone number of an intended recipient;

(d) clicking on a send button

(e) receiving the telephone number at a server of the email directory service;

(f) accessing a list of potential real email addresses using the telephone number;

(g) forwarding the list of potential real email addresses to the user; (h) selecting a real email address from the list of potential real email addresses;

(i) receiving the real email address at the email directory service;

(j) attaching the real email address to the body of the email; and

(k) sending the email from the email directory service to the real email address.

- 22 - 19. A method of operating an email directory service, comprising the steps of:

(a) composing an email, by a user, having an indicator of an intended recipient in a name portion of an email address and an email directory service domain name in a domain name portion of the email address;

(b) sending the email over an internet to an email directory service server; (c) accessing a real email address for the intended recipient using the indicator; and

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the indicator is a telephone number and name of a recipient.

21 . The method of claim 19, wherein step (c) further includes the steps of:

(cl) transmitting a response to the user containing at least one email address and an associated person's name;

(c2) selecting one of the at least one email address.