Abstract:
A server for modifying electronic mail messages being sent from a computer network, the original electronic mail messages being sent with an electronic mail server by users of the network to recipients, the server including a database storing frame content as well recipient and user identifiers and framing rules; and a processor for superimposing a frame onto one of the original electronic mail messages based on the recipient of the original electronic mail message thereby producing a framed electronic mail message. Preferably, the database further stores user identifiers and the superimposing of frames onto the original electronic mail message is further based on the user identifiers.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit from U.S. provisional application 60/558704 filed on 2 Apr. 2004 by the same inventors. 
     
    
     FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to electronic mail and, more particularly, to a system and method for dynamically adding marketing and promotional information to electronic mail messages outgoing from corporate users. A dedicated electronic mail framing server adds this information based on corporate marketing policy.  
         [0003]     During the past decade or more, electronic mail has become a dominant means of inter-corporate and interpersonal communications.  FIG. 1  illustrates a conventional electronic mail message appearing on a computer display. As is readily seen, the electronic mail message of  FIG. 1  is devoid of any marketing or promotional content, other than information included as text as part of the signature of the sender. Many corporations request from their employees to add to their personal signatures a link to the corporate Internet web site.  
         [0004]     Client applications exist, that permit individuals to add graphics; text features backgrounds etc. to electronic mail messages to “personalize” electronic mail messages. These client applications offer the individual user to add, for instance, a happy face or perhaps a soft blue background to his/her personal electronic mail messages. The use of these client applications is not appropriate for a corporate setting because each employee will personalize his/her electronic mails in an inconsistent way, generally not conveying a corporate image desired by the marketing department.  
         [0005]     Prior art electronic mail server applications exist that tack text messages onto all outgoing electronic mail messages. For example, the text message, as follows is intended to protect the intellectual property of the corporation: 
        Information contained in this email message is intended only for use of the individual or entity named above. If the reader of this message is not the intended recipient, or the employee or agent responsible to deliver it to the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. If you have received this communication in error, please immediately notify the postmaster@ABC.com and destroy the original message. 
 
 Text messages, such as the one shown above, are not edited based on the recipient or the sender and do not reflect corporate marketing policy. Current electronic mail server applications do not support adding graphics and other customized promotional information to outgoing electronic messages for recipients in targeted populations. 
       
 
         [0007]     There is thus a need for, and it would be highly advantageous to have, a system and method for adding information to electronic mail messages outgoing from corporate employees. A dedicated electronic mail framing server adds the information based on framing rules, defined by corporate marketing manager, representing corporate marketing policy. The content of the electronic mail framing is altered based on the sender and/or the recipient of the outgoing electronic mail message.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     According to the present invention there is provided a server for modifying electronic mail messages being sent from a computer network, the original electronic mail messages being sent with an electronic mail server by users of the network to recipients, the server including: (a) a database storing frames and recipient identifiers; and (b) a processor superimposing a frame onto an original electronic mail message based on the recipient identifier of the original electronic mail message thereby producing a framed electronic mail message. Preferably the database further stores framing rules corresponding to the recipient identifiers. Preferably, the database further stores identifiers of the users and the superimposing is further based on one of the user identifiers. Preferably, the server further includes a mail transfer agent receiving the original mail messages from the electronic mail server and sending the original electronic mail messages to the processor and sending the framed electronic mail message to the recipient. Preferably, the mail transfer agent is configured to send the framed electronic mail message to a mail relay server. Preferably, the server further includes a communications interface with an external management application.  
         [0009]     According to the present invention there is provided a method for modifying electronic mail messages being sent from a computer network, the original electronic mail messages being sent with an electronic mail server by users of the network to recipients, the method including: (a) storing frames, recipient identifiers; and (b) superimposing a frame onto one of the original electronic mail messages based on the recipient identifier of one of the original electronic mail messages thereby producing a framed electronic mail message. Preferably, the storing further includes user identifiers and wherein the superimposing of frames is further based on the user identifiers. Preferably, the data base further stores framing rules corresponding to the identifiers. Preferably, the method includes prior to superimposing frames receiving the original mail messages from the electronic mail server and sending the framed electronic mail message to the recipient. Preferably, sending the framed messages is via a mail relay server. Preferably, the method further includes sending commands thereby controlling the storing and superimposing; and receiving reports regarding the storing and regarding the superimposing.  
         [0010]     According to the present invention there is provided a system for modifying electronic mail messages being sent from a computer network, the original electronic mail messages being sent with an electronic mail server by users of the network to recipients, the system including: (a) an electronic mail framing server including a database storing frames, and recipient identifiers; and further including a processor superimposing a frame onto one of the original electronic mail message based on the recipient identifier of the original electronic mail message thereby producing a framed electronic mail message; and (b) at least one management console for controlling the electronic mail framing server and receiving reports from the electronic mail framing server. The system further includes a mail relay server configured to receive electronic mail messages output from the electronic mail framing server. Preferably, the database further stores user identifiers and the superimposing is further based on one of the user identifiers. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]     The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0012]      FIG. 1  is a prior art drawing of a conventional electronic mail message as shown on a computer display;  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  is a drawing of an electronic mail message, as generated according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  is a drawing of a system configuration, according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0015]      FIG. 4  is a drawing of the core software modules, according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0016]      FIG. 5  is a drawing of the message flow, according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0017]      FIG. 6  is a flow diagram of the electronic mail message processing, according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0018]      FIG. 7  is a flow diagram showing management console communication, according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0019]      FIG. 8  is a simplified system drawing of an electronic mail framing system, according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0020]      FIG. 9  is a simplified system drawing of an electronic mail framing system, according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0021]      FIG. 10  is a simplified system drawing of an electronic mail framing system, according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0022]     The present invention is a system and method for dynamically adding customized information to electronic mail messages outgoing from corporate users to recipients belonging to specific targeted populations. A dedicated electronic mail framing server adds the information based on corporate marketing policy. Furthermore, the present invention can be used to define the information added to outgoing electronic mail messages, based on specific groups targeted as recipients of outgoing electronic mail messages and based on the departments or roles of the senders of the electronic mail messages.  
         [0023]     The principles and operation of a system and method for dynamically adding information to electronic mail messages outgoing from corporate employees, according to the present invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings and the accompanying description.  
         [0024]     Before explaining embodiments of the invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments or of being practiced or carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting.  
         [0025]     As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.  
         [0026]     By way of introduction, principle intentions of the present invention are to: (1) provide a corporate solution that automatically “wraps” regular outgoing electronic mail messages with additional graphical and/or text information based on corporate policy and (2) provide a mechanism to dynamically manage the content and properties of the information, e.g promotional information, added to outgoing electronic mail messages based on senders and targeted recipient groups. The terms “framing” and “wrapping” are used herein interchangeably. It should be noted that while the discussion herein is directed to a corporation, the principles of the present invention may be adapted for use in, and provide benefit for, any type of organization or association.  
         [0027]     Referring now to the drawings,  FIG. 2  illustrates an example of an electronic mail message  20  “framed” or “wrapped” according to an embodiment of the present invention, as shown to a recipient on a computer display screen. The electronic mail message is wrapped, for instance, with graphic entities  201 , providing promotional information to the recipient. The term “frame” is defined herein to include graphic entities  201  and/or text superimposed onto conventional electronic mail messages. The terms “add” and “superimpose” are used herein interchangeably.  
         [0028]     The sender of the electronic mail message  20 , according to an embodiment of the present invention is unaware that the message recipient has received promotional information in addition to the text message drafted by the sender. Graphics entities  201 , for instance, provide links to specific Internet addresses. In the example shown in  FIG. 2 , graphics entity  201   a  is a promotional item to visit a corporate booth at a professional exhibit, graphics entity  201   b  is a link to a job opportunities section of a corporate Internet site and graphics entity  201   c  provides a promotional banner as well as a link to a corporate home page. According to an embodiment of the present invention, when electronic mail recipients initiate links, ie. graphics entities  201  are “clicked”, recipient data is collected as basis for statistical and detailed reports useful for marketing and sales.  
         [0029]     It should be noted that the style of the “wrapping” of the outgoing messages is configurable by for instance, the marketing department and the choice of style used in  FIG. 2  is for illustrative purposes only and should not be regarded as limiting.  
         [0030]     A system configuration of an electronic mail framing system  30 , according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 3 . Electronic mail framing system  30  includes, a dedicated electronic mail framing server  301  including a processor that functions to wrap outgoing electronic mails according to corporate marketing policy. Electronic mail framing system  30  further includes a management console  303  that is used to communicate with and manage an electronic mail framing application installed on electronic mail framing server  301 . In the example of electronic mail framing system  30 , an electronic mail server  305  and electronic mail framing server  301  are both included in a high security zone of corporate network  313 . Communications with the Internet is mediated through a firewall  309  and in the “demilitarized zone” (DMZ) are an Internet server  311  and a mail relay server  307 .  
         [0031]      FIG. 4  is a drawing showing major software modules installed in the processor of and functional in electronic mail framing server  301 . A decision engine module  401  decides which frame content to use based on framing rules. Framing rules and framing content are typically stored in a local database  403 . Framing rules are defined based on sender and/or recipient mail identifier information. Framing engine module  405  submits sender and/or recipient identifiers to decision engine module  401 . Decision engine module  401  retrieves frame content based on the appropriate framing rule. The “term” identifier as defined herein refers to an electronic mail address, an IP address, a name or part of a name referring to a sender or recipient of an electronic mail message. Framing engine module  405  processes electronic mail messages and adds content based on the frame content returned by decision engine module  401  once consulted. Statistics agent module  407  retrieves site click statistics from remote web redirection servers  413  using preferably, HTTP protocol. Site click statistics are stored in local database  403 . Report agent module  409  generates log reports, preferably in HTML, when requested by an updater service module  411 . Updater service module  411  is a communications interface handling the interaction between electronic mail framing server  301  and external applications such as a management application running on management console  303  or a web browser.  
         [0032]      FIG. 5  is an electronic mail message flow diagram, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Corporate mail server  305  requests from a mail transfer agent  503  to process an outgoing mail message. Mail transfer agent delivers the message (step  505 ) to framing engine module  405  that processes the message for electronic mail framing. Framing engine module  405  submits (step  507 ) sender and recipient information to decision engine module  401 . On receiving sender and recipient information, decision engine module  401  looks up (step  509 ) in database  403  the sender and recipient information to retrieve the appropriate frame for the outgoing electronic mail message. The selected frame is submitted in response (step  511 ) back to framing engine module  405 . If no frame is applicable, framing engine module  405  is instructed not to frame the outgoing message. On receiving frame content information from decision engine module  401 , framing engine module  405  frames the outgoing message (step  513 ), if applicable. Framing engine module  405  returns (step  515 ) the message to mail transfer agent  503 , specifying an altered configuration file to use for the delivery of the message. Send-mail transfer agent  503  will then deliver the message to mail relay server  307  that routes the message to the final recipient.  
         [0033]      FIG. 6  is a flow diagram showing electronic mail message processing, according to an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0034]     Framing engine module  405  submits (step  507 ) sender and recipient information to decision engine module  401 . The selected frame is submitted in response (step  511 ) back to framing engine module  405 . If no frame is applicable, framing engine module  405  is instructed not to frame the outgoing message. Framing engine module  405  returns (step  515 ) the message to mail transfer agent  503 , specifying an altered configuration file to use for the delivery of the message.  
         [0035]     Subsequent to delivering (step  515 ) a framed message to mail transfer agent  503 , mail transfer agent  503  signals (step  601 ) framing engine module  405  that the message was successfully received. Framing engine module  405  responds to mail transfer agent  503  a signal that the message was successfully delivered and processed (step  603 ) by the mailer. Should a critical problem (e.g. power failure, hardware failure, system crash) occur the originating mail transfer agent  503  would fail to receive an acknowledgment of message delivery (step  603 ).  
         [0036]      FIG. 7  illustrates management of electronic mail framer server  301  using a management console  303 , based on e.g. Microsoft Windows or a remote Internet Web browser  703 . Commands and status information of many types are available. Certain commands  705  are delivered to decision engine module  401  directly by the updater service module  411 . Commands  705  include start and stop framing, and update settings from database. Other commands  707  are processed directly by updater service module  411  including test requests (step  707   b ), requests to display a log file (step  707   c ) and requests (step  707   d ) for log file content. Other commands initiated from management console  303  to updater service module  411  include transfer click data (step  709   a ) gathered in re-direction server  413 . Updater service module  411  passes transfer click data request  709   a  to statistics agent module  407 . Statistics agent module  407  responds with a return operation status, success or fail, (step  711   b ) to updater service module  411 . The return operation status, success or fail is subsequently passed (step  711   a ) to management console  303 . Similarly, a remote web browser  703  transfers (step  713   a ) a GET command to updater service module  411 . An execute report request (step  713   b ) is processed by report agent module  409 . An HTML log report, is prepared and sent (step  715   b ) to updater service  411  and subsequently sent (step  715   a ) to web browser  703 .  
         [0037]      FIG. 8  illustrates system  80  prior to installation of electronic mail framer  301 , including corporate network  313 , mail server  305  is located in a high security zone protected by firewall  309 . Corporate network  313  is connected to the Internet with a router  801 .  FIG. 8  further illustrates system  81  subsequent to installation of electronic mail framer  301  into a high security zone of system  80 , according to an embodiment of the present invention. Electronic mail framer  301  in system  81  is configured to deliver mail using domain name system (DNS). The electronic mail application, e.g Microsoft Exchange, installed on mail server  305  is configured to deliver mail through a second mail server, e.g. Smarthost, to the IP address of electronic mail framer  301 .  
         [0038]      FIG. 9  illustrates system  90  prior to installation of electronic mail framer  301 , including corporate network  313 , mail server  305  is located in a high security zone protected by firewall  309 . System  90  further includes mail relay server  307  located in a “demilitarized zone” and connected to firewall  309 .  FIG. 9  further illustrates system  91  subsequent to installation of electronic mail framer  301  into a high security zone of system  80 , according to an embodiment of the present invention. Mail relay server  307  is configured to accept mail from electronic mail framer  301  as an originator. Electronic mail framer  301  in system  91  is configured to deliver mail using a second mail server, e.g. Smarthost, corresponding to the IP address of mail relay server  307 . The electronic mail application, e.g. Microsoft Exchange, installed on mail server  305  is configured to deliver mail through a second mail server, e.g. Smarthost to the IP address of electronic mail framer  301 .  
         [0039]      FIG. 10  illustrates system  93 , an alternative embodiment of the present invention in which electronic mail framer  301  is installed in the “demilitarized zone” (DMZ) of system  90 . Electronic mail framer  301  in system  93  is configured to deliver mail using domain name system (DNS). Specific ports, e.g 3006 and 10001 are opened through corporate network  313  to electronic mail framer  301  in the DMZ. Mail relay server  307  is configured to deliver mail to electronic mail framer  301  Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.  
         [0040]     While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, it will be appreciated that many variations, modifications and other applications of the invention may be made.