Sending related information to indirect email recipients

US8589493B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• International Business Machines Corporation · US

Inventors

• Meli Henri Fouotsop · Cary, US
• Angela Richards Jones · Durham, US
• Andrew L. Schirmer · Andover, US
• Yingxin Xing · Durham, US
• Tong Yu · Cary, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 17, 2007
• Grant date: Nov 19, 2013
• Expiry date: Jan 23, 2030

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06Q10/107
• WIPO field: IT methods for management
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

Managing the sending of electronic mail (email) messages and responding to requests from indirect recipients for related information. An email message is originated with a first recipient and a recipient request prompt, which comprises a unique recipient request identifier (ID) linking it to the originator's email address. An empty recipient request list is generated, likewise linked to the recipient request ID. The message is then sent to a first recipient, who in turn forwards it to a second recipient. The recipient response prompt is displayed to the second recipient, who uses it to generate a recipient request for related information. The recipient request ID of the originated message and the second recipient's email address are appended to the recipient request, which is then sent to the message originator. The recipient request is received by the email system and parsed. The second recipient's email address is then appended to the recipient request list corresponding to the parsed recipient request ID. The originator is notified of the recipient request and responds accordingly.