SYSTEMS AND METHOD FOR STORING, DELIVERING, AND MANAGING MESSAGES
Systems and methods provide for receiving one or more user-selected preferences at a network server from a user's client device and creating a mark-up language file that is customized according to the user-selected preferences. The mark-up language file is transmitted from the network server to the user's client device via a packet switched network using an Internet protocol.
1 . A method, comprising:
storing a mark-up language file in a storage area accessible by a network server;
receiving at the network server one or more user-selected preferences from a user's client device;
customizing the mark-up language file according to the one or more user-selected preferences; and
transmitting the mark-up language file from the network servers to the user's client device, via a packet switched data network, using an Internet protocol.
2 . The method as set forth in claim 1 , further comprising transmitting a notification to the user's client device, the notification serving to notify the user of the availability of the mark-up language file.
3 . The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the one or more user-selected preferences include at least one user-selected preference regarding how information contained in the mark-up language file is to be displayed on a display associated with the user's client device.
4 . The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the one or more user-selected preferences include at least one user-selected preference regarding an amount of information to be included in the mark-up language file.
5 . The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the one or more user-selected preferences include at least one user-selected preference regarding the amount of information to be displayed on a display associated with the user's client device.
6 . The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the user's client device generates a user interface in response to the mark-up language file.
7 . The method as set forth in claim 6 , wherein the customizing the mark-up language file has the effect of customizing the user interface according to the one or more user-selected preferences.
8 . The method as set forth in claim 7 , wherein the customizing the mark-up language file includes selectively varying the amount of information displayed in the user interface according to the one or more user-selected preferences.
9 . The method as set forth in claim 7 , wherein the customizing the mark-up language file includes selectively varying the type of information displayed in the user interface according to the one or more user-selected preferences.
10 . The method as set forth in claim 2 , wherein the notification comprises an e-mail message.
11 . The method as set forth in claim 2 , wherein the notification comprises a wireless notification.
12 . The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the packet switched data network comprises the Internet.
13 . The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the Internet protocol comprises a hyper-text transfer protocol (HTTP).
14 . The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the network sever comprises an HTTP server and the user's client device comprises an HTTP client.
15 . The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the user's client device executes an application program that generates a user interface in response to the mark-up language file.
16 . The method as set forth in claim 15 , wherein the application program comprises a browser.
17 . The method as set forth in claim 15 , wherein the application program comprises a web browser.
18 . The method as set forth in claim 15 , wherein the customizing the mark-up language file includes selectively varying the amount of information displayed in the user interface according to the one or more user-selected preferences.
19 . The method as set forth in claim 15 , wherein the customizing the mark-up language file includes selectively varying the type of information displayed in the user interface according to the one or more user-selected preferences.
20 . The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the mark-up language file includes new information that has oily become available subsequent to a prior notification.
21 . The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the mark-up language file includes a reduced size image that the user can select to produce a full-size image.
22 . The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the mark-up language file includes a thumbnail image that the user can select to produce a full-size image.
23 . The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the mark-up language file includes both graphical and textual information.
24 . The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the mark-up language file conforms with a dialect of a standardized generalized mark-up language (SGML).
25 . The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the mark-up language file comprises a standardized generalized mark-up language (SGML) file.
26 . The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the network server executes an HTTP daemon (HTTP) which performs the transmitting.
27 . The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the Internet protocol comprises a hyper-text transfer protocol (HTTP), and wherein the network server executes an HTTP daemon (HTTPD) which handles HTTP interactions between the networks server and the user's client device.
28 . The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein:
the Internet protocol comprises a hyper-text transfer protocol (HTTP);
the network server executes an HTTP daemon (HTTPD);
the user's client device executes a browser; and
wherein the HTTPD performs the transmitting by transmitting the mark-up language file to the browser, using the HTTP.
29 . The method as set forth in claim 28 , wherein the browser comprises a hyper-text browser.
30 . The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the mark-up language file comprises an HTML file.
31 . The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the network server executes an application program and an HTTP daemon (HTTPD), and wherein the HTTPD performs the transmitting and processing of user access requests.
32 . The method as set forth in claim 31 , wherein the Internet protocol comprises a hyper-text transfer protocol (HTTP), the user's client device executes a hyper-text browser, and the HTTPD performs the transmitting by transmitting the mark-up language file to the hyper-text browser, using the HTTP.
33 . The method as set forth in claim 32 , wherein the HTTPD establishes an HTTP application layer session between the application program executing on the network server and the hyper-text browser executing on the user's client device.
34 . The method as set forth in claim 14 , further comprising establishing an HTTP connection between the HTTP server and the HTTP client, wherein the transmitting is executed over the HTTP connection.
35 . The method as set forth in claim 15 , wherein the user interface is customized according to one or more user-selected preferences according to commands contained in the mark-up language file.
36 . The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the mark-up language file includes information personal to the user.
37 . The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the mark-up language file includes user-specific information.
38 . The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the packet switched data network comprises a private network.
39 . The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the user's client device comprises a personal computer that includes a display and a keyboard.
40 . The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the user's client device comprises a handheld device.
41 . The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the user's client device executes a hyper-text browser which displays at least part of the content of the mark-up language file in accordance with commands contained in the mark-up language file.
42 . The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein a location of the mark-up language file in the storage area is identified by a URL.
43 . The method as set forth in claim 1 , wherein the user's client device comprises a computer.
44 . The method as set forth in claim 42 , wherein the user's client device executes an application program that enables the user to download the mark-up language file using the URL.
45 . The method as set forth in claim 37 , wherein the user-specific information contained in the mark-up language file comprises information pertaining to one or more messages directed to the user as an intended recipient.
46 . The method as set forth in claim 45 , wherein the one or more messages comprise voice mail messages.
47 . The method as set forth in claim 45 , wherein the one or more messages comprise facsimile messages.
48 . The method as set forth in claim 45 , wherein the one or more messages comprise data messages.
49 . A method, comprising:
a network server receiving one or more user-selected preferences from a user's client device;
creating a mark-up language file customized according to the one or more user-selected preferences; and
transmitting the mark-up language file from the network server to the user's client device, via a packet switched data network, using an Internet protocol.
50 . The method as set forth in claim 49 , further comprising transmitting a notification to the user's client device, the notification serving to notify the user of the availability of the mark-up language file.
51 . The method as set forth in claim 49 , wherein the one or more user-selected preferences include at least one user-selected preference regarding how information contained in the mark-up language file is to be displayed on a display associated with the user's client device.
52 . The method as set forth in claim 49 , wherein the one or more user-selected preferences include at least one user-selected preference regarding an amount of information to be included in the mark-up language file.
53 . The method as set forth in claim 49 , wherein the one or more user-selected preferences include at least one user-selected preference regarding the amount of information to be displayed on a display associated with the user's client device.
54 . The method as set forth in claim 49 , wherein the user's client device generates a user interface in response to the mark-up language file.
55 . The method as set forth in claim 54 , wherein the creating the mark-up language file includes customizing the user interface according to the one or more user-selected preferences.
56 . The method as set forth in claim 54 , wherein the creating, the mark-up language file includes selectively varying the amount of information that will be displayed in the user interface, according to the one or more user-selected preferences.
57 . The method as set forth in claim 54 , wherein the creating the mark-up language file includes selectively varying the type of information that will be displayed in the user interface, according to the one or more user-selected preferences.
58 . The method as set forth in claim 50 , wherein the notification comprises an e-mail message.
59 . The method as set forth in claim 50 , wherein the notification comprises a wireless notification.
60 . The method as set forth in claim 49 , wherein the packet switched data network comprises the Internet.
61 . The method as set forth in claim 49 , wherein the Internet protocol comprises a hyper-text transfer protocol (HTTP).
62 . The method as set forth in claim 49 , wherein the network server comprises an HTTP server and the user's client device comprises an HTTP client.
63 . The method as set forth in claim 49 , wherein the user's client device executes an application program that generates a user interface in response to the mark-up language file.
64 . The method as set forth in claim 63 , wherein the application program comprises a browser.
65 . The method as set forth in claim 63 , wherein the application program comprises a web browser.
66 . The method as set forth in claim 63 , wherein the creating the mark-up language file includes selectively varying the amount of information that will be displayed in the user interface, according to the one or more user-selected preferences.
67 . The method as set forth in claim 63 , wherein the creating the mark-up language file includes selectively varying the type of information that will be displayed in the user interface, according to the one or more user-selected preferences.
68 . The method as set forth in claim 49 , wherein the mark-up language file includes new information that has only become available subsequent to a prior notification.
69 . The method as set forth in claim 49 , wherein the mark-up language file includes a reduced size image that the user can select to produce a full-size image.
70 . The method as set forth in claim 49 , wherein the mark-up language file includes a thumbnail image that the user can select to produce a full-size image.
71 . The method as set forth in claim 49 , wherein the mark-up language file includes both graphical and textual information.
72 . The method as set forth in claim 49 , wherein the mark-up language file conforms with a dialect of a standardized generalized mark-up language (SGML).
73 . The method as set forth in claim 49 , wherein the mark-up language file comprises a standardized generalized mark-up language (SGML) file.
74 . The method as set forth in claim 49 , wherein the network server executes an HTTP daemon (HTTPD) which performs the transmitting.
75 . The method as set forth in claim 49 , wherein the Internet protocol comprises a hyper-text transfer protocol (HTTP), and wherein the network server executes an HTTP daemon (HTTPD) which handles HTTP interactions between the network server and the user's client device.
76 . The method as set forth in claim 49 , wherein:
the Internet protocol comprises a hyper-text transfer protocol (HTTP);
the networks server executes an HTTP daemon (HTTPD);
the user's client device executes a browser; and
wherein the HTTPD performs the transmitting by transmitting the mark-up language file to the browser, using the HTTP.
77 . The method as set forth in claim 76 , wherein the browser comprises a hyper-text browser.
78 . The method as set forth in claim 49 , wherein the mark-up language file comprises an HTML file.
79 . The method as set forth in claim 49 , wherein the network server executes an application program and an HTTP daemon (HTTPD), and wherein the HTTPD performs the transmitting and processing of user access requests.
80 . The method as set forth in claim 79 , wherein the Internet protocol comprises a hyper-text transfer protocol (HTTP), the user's client device executes a hyper-text browser, and the HTTPD performs the transmitting by transmitting the mark-up language file to the hyper-text browser, using the HTTP.
81 . The method as set forth in claim 80 , wherein the HTTPD establishes an HTTP application layer session between the application program executing on the network server and the hyper-text browser executing on the user's client device.
82 . The method as set forth in claim 62 , further comprising, establishing an HTTP connection between the HTTP server and the HTTP client, wherein the transmitting is executed over the HTTP connection.
83 . The method as set forth in claim 63 , wherein the user interface is customized according to one or more user-selected preferences according to commands contained in the mark-up language file.
84 . The method as set forth in claim 49 , wherein the mark-up language file includes information personal to the user.
85 . The method as set forth in claim 49 , wherein the mark-up language tile includes user-specific information.
86 . The method as set forth in claim 49 , wherein the packet switched data network comprises a private network.
87 . The method as set forth in claim 49 , wherein the user's client device comprises a personal computer that includes a display and a keyboard.
88 . The method as set forth in claim 49 , wherein the user's client device comprises a handheld device.
89 . The method as set forth in claim 49 , wherein the user's client device executes a hyper-text browser which displays at least part of the content of the mark-up language file in accordance with commands contained in the mark-up language file.
90 . The method as set forth in claim 49 , wherein the mark-up language file is stored in a storage location associated with the network server, and wherein the storage location of the mark-up language file is identified by a URL.
91 . The method as set forth in claim 49 , wherein the user's client device comprises a computer.
92 . The method as set forth in claim 90 , wherein the user's client device executes an application program that enables the user to download the mark-up language file using the URL.
93 . The method as set forth in claim 85 , wherein the user-specific information contained in the mark-up language file comprises information pertaining to one or more messages directed to the user as an intended recipient.
94 . The method as set forth in claim 93 , wherein the one or more messages comprise voice mail messages.
95 . The method as set forth in claim 93 , wherein the one or more messages comprise facsimile messages.
96 . The method as set forth in claim 93 , wherein the one or more messages comprise data messages.
97 . A method, comprising:
a network server receiving one or more user-selected preferences from a user's client device;
creating a mark-up language file customized according to the one or more user-selected preferences, wherein an amount of information included in the mark-up language file is selectively varied according to the one or more user-selected preferences; and
transmitting the mark-up language file from the network server to the user's client device, via a packet switched data network, using an Internet protocol.
98 . The method as set forth in claim 97 , wherein the mark-up language file conforms with a dialect of a standardized generalized mark-up language (SGML).
99 . The method as set forth in claim 97 , wherein the mark-up language file comprises a standardized generalized mark-up language (SGML) file.
100 . The method as set forth in claim 97 , wherein the network server executes an HTTP daemon (HTTPD) which performs the transmitting.
101 . The method as set forth in claim 97 , wherein the Internet protocol comprises a hyper-text transfer protocol (HTTP) and wherein the network server executes an HTTP daemon (HTTPD) which handles HTTP interactions between the network server and the user's client device.
102 . The method as set forth in claim 97 , wherein:
the Internet protocol comprises a hyper-text transfer protocol (HTTP);
the networks server executes an HTTP daemon (HTTPD);
the user's client device executes a browser; and
wherein the HTTPD performs the transmitting by transmitting the mark-up language file to the browser, using the HTTP.
103 . The method as set forth in claim 102 , wherein the browser comprises a hyper-text browser.
104 . The method as set forth in claim 97 , wherein the mark-up language file comprises an HTML file.
105 . The method as set forth in claim 97 , wherein the network server executes an application program and an HTTP daemon (HTTPD), and wherein the HTTPD performs the transmitting and processing of user access requests.
106 . The method as set forth in claim 97 , wherein the Internet protocol comprises a hyper-text transfer protocol (HTTP), the user's client device executes a hyper-text browser, and the HTTPD performs the transmitting by transmitting the mark-up language file to the hyper-text browser, using the HTTP.
107 . The method as set forth in claim 106 , wherein the HTTPD establishes an HTTP application layer session between the application program executing on the network server and the hyper-text browser executing on the user's client device.
108 . The method as set forth in claim 97 , further comprising, establishing and HTTP connection between the HTTP server and the HTTP client, wherein the transmitting is executed over the HTTP connection.
109 . The method as set forth in claim 97 , wherein the packet switched data network comprises a private network.
110 . The method as set forth in claim 97 , wherein the packet switched data network comprises the Internet.
111 . The method as set forth in claim 97 , wherein the user's client device comprises a personal computer that includes a display and a keyboard.
112 . The method as set forth in claim 97 , wherein the user's client device comprises a handheld device.
113 . The method as set forth in claim 97 , wherein the user's client device executes a hyper-text browser which displays at least part of the content of the mark-up language file in accordance with commands contained in the mark-up language file.
114 . The method as set forth in claim 97 , wherein the mark-up language file is stored in a storage location associated with the network server, and wherein the storage location of the mark-up language file is identified by a URL.
115 . The method as set forth in claim 97 , wherein the user's client device comprises a computer.
116 . The method as set forth in claim 114 , wherein the user's client device executes an application program that enables the user to download the mark-up language file using the URL.
117 . The method as set forth in claim 85 , wherein the mark-up language file includes user-specific information.
118 . The method as set forth in claim 117 , wherein the user-specific information contained in the mark-up language file comprises information pertaining to one or more messages directed to the user as an intended recipient.
119 . The method as set forth in claim 118 , wherein the one or more messages comprise voice mail messages.
120 . The method as set forth in claim 118 , wherein the one or more messages comprise facsimile messages.
121 . The method as set forth in claim 118 , wherein the one or more messages comprise data messages.
122 . The method as set forth in claim 97 , wherein the information comprises a list, and the amount of information corresponds to a number of items in the list.
123 . The method as set forth in claim 122 , wherein the items in the list correspond to messages.