Abstract:
The present invention relates to a system and method for preparing modified copies of outgoing electronic communications to secondary individual recipients and groups of secondary recipients. The system is referred to as a “Visible Carbon Copy” (“VCC”). Modifications can be made to the content of the communications and additionally to attachments included with the communications. Any number of differently modified copies can be sent to any number of secondary recipients or groups of recipients. The system can be interfaced into the users existing electronic messaging system or embedded into the electronic messaging system by the manufacturer thereof. In a first embodiment, the VCC is utilized with email messaging systems. In a second embodiment, the VCC is utilized with instant messaging systems. Additional embodiments allow utilization of the VCC with any type of electronic communication system that allows for messaging to one or more recipients.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to transmission of electronic communications over electronic messaging systems. More particularly, it discloses a system and method by which the user of an electronic messaging system can send modified copies of electronic communications to one or more secondary recipients and groups of secondary recipients. The user can modify the message content and any attachments included with the communication. Any number of different modified copies of the communication can be sent to any number of secondary recipients or groups of recipients. The various messages can be prepared and previewed prior to transmission, and all of the varied messages can be sent at a single time to all recipients. 
       DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART 
       [0002]    Electronic messaging systems are essential tools for business and personal communications in today&#39;s global economy. Technological advances have made fast and efficient global communication possible through computer networking systems, including the worldwide web (“WWW”), local-area networks (“LAN”), and wide-area networks (“WAN”), cellular networks, instant messaging systems, and SMS and MMS systems. Users can send and receive electronic communications with other users who are located in close proximity or in remote places around the world. Present electronic messaging systems and methods allow a user to send a single message to one or more recipients. 
         [0003]    Among the most commonly used electronic messaging systems are email application programs. These are typically configured to generate electronic messages in a memoranda format. The existing email application provides a platform for the user that shows separate fields for entering at least one email address to the main recipient (the “to” field), a brief topic title (the “subject” field), and a message field for insertion of the actual message text (the “body” field). The application may also provide two optional separate fields, one for entering at least one outgoing email addresses for recipients who will receive a “carbon copy” (“cc”) of the message (which other recipients cannot review the recipient list), and one for entering at least one outgoing email addresses for recipients who will receive or a “blind carbon copy” (“bcc”) (which other recipients cannot review the recipient list). It is also possible that the user will be allowed to designate a document, file, or executable program to be attached to and sent with the email communication. When the user finishes entering the message, topic, and outgoing email addresses, the user clicks on the “send” key to transmit. 
         [0004]    A known email communications system and method for transmission of electronic messages between networks is comprised of at least one computer connected to at least one other computer network that connects to an email communication system. Each computer can send email communications to any of the other computers, the email messages being routed through the email communication system. 
         [0005]    The email communication system and method is similar to other electronic messaging systems and methods in the process that followed for the composing, transmission, and reception of electronic messages. After a single communication has been sent, the sending user can continue to compose another single message and transmit it to at least one outgoing recipient&#39;s addresses, and another communication, and another one, and so forth. Each time, the address information and the data information is divided and stored by the transmitting and receiving recipients. 
         [0006]    The current messaging systems allow single content to be sent to one or many users. You cannot modify the content addressed to different recipients without creating a new message. This is a very laborious process for sending a message to many recipients using different visible content. 
         [0007]    There is a need for a means of electronic messaging that permits the user to vary the message content and attachments included with the message for purposes of sending similar but modified messages to secondary recipients. Such an add-on to current electronic messaging systems and methods would make messaging more convenient and efficient, saving significant time and labor for users who need to send variations on what are otherwise similar messages. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    In light of the difficulties described previously with sending modified electronic communications, there is a need for variable messaging that can be transmitted to secondary recipients. The present invention discloses “Visible Carbon Copy” (“VCC”) messaging. By this invention, a user first composes a new message or a reply message to an existing message within the users existing electronic messaging application or system. The user assigns the message to at least one outgoing address. The user may additionally assign it to recipients of carbon copies and blind carbon copies. 
         [0009]    The present invention adds an interface into the user&#39;s electronic messaging application so that, before the message is sent, the user may additionally specify at least one outgoing address (the “VCC” recipient“). Said VCC recipient will receive a similar but modified version of the message or the message with extra content and attachments visible to the VCC recipient only. The user may continue to select at least one outgoing address for more modified versions of the existing message, at least to the technological limits of the software or hardware. The user may also include attachments as desired, and the list of attachments may be changed for each VCC recipient. The user can also send a message to recipient without others viewing the recipient list, called a “visible blind carbon copy” or “VBCC.” 
         [0010]    Prior to sending, the user may preview all of the messages and groups selected. Finally, the user selects the sending function, at which time all messages are sent to all recipients, specifically to the primary recipient and VCC recipient. 
         [0011]    The present invention will interface with all electronic messaging systems and devices. According to the first aspect of the present invention, the system and method are used within email messaging systems. Another embodiment of this invention can be used within devices that utilize electronic messaging, such as cell phones. These and other embodiments are further described subsequently. 
         [0012]    An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic messaging system and method by which the user is able to modify a message for purposes of sending the modified message to secondary recipients at the same time as the unaltered message may be sent to at least one primary recipient. 
         [0013]    Another object of the present invention is to provide an electronic messaging system and method by which the user is able to remove, modify, and add attached files, documents, and executable programs attached to an electronic message for a VCC recipient and send the message with altered attachments list at the same time as the message with attachments is transmitted to the primary recipient. 
         [0014]    Another object of the present invention is to interface within electronic messaging systems that are already in current use in a way that is user-friendly and time-efficient, and further that can be embedded into the messaging system or utilized as a plug-in add-on to the system. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIGS. 1A-1C  are schematic diagrams of known email communications and computer systems. 
           [0016]      FIGS. 2A-2C  are schematic diagrams of known email communications and computer systems with insertion of one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  is a diagram of one example of a user interface of a prior art email application. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  is a flow diagram of a known email communications and computer network system with insertion of one embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  is a schematic diagram of known messaging communication systems and methods that can interface with the present invention. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  is a flow diagram of one embodiment of the present invention as an add-on to an email communications application. 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  is a flow diagram of one embodiment of the present invention as an embedded feature to an email communications application. 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of the present invention showing the process as utilized by the user of an email communications application. 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  is a flow diagram of one embodiment of the present invention showing the process as utilized by the user of an email communications application. 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  is a diagram of one embodiment of the user interface of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0025]    The present invention is described here in more detail with reference to the drawings. The drawings comprise schematic and flow diagrams of preferred embodiments of the present invention and of the prior art. 
         [0026]    Among the most commonly used prior art electronic messaging systems are email application programs and SMS text messaging systems.  FIGS. 1A-1C  are schematic illustrations of three such prior art systems. In  FIG. 1A , the system is server-based.  FIG. 1B  is an example of a point to point system. Mixed systems are also prevalent, as illustrated in  FIG. 1C . 
         [0027]      FIGS. 2A-2C  are schematic diagrams showing the process of interfacing the present invention into the examples of prior art systems shown in  FIGS. 1A-1C . For example, in  FIG. 2A , the Sender  1  edits a message with a preferred embodiment of the VCC editor of the current invention, and thereby creating VCC Message  1 A to send to Recipient  2 , and a different VCC Message  1 B to send to Recipients  3  and  4 . As a server-based system, the VCC Message  1 A is sent to the Sending Server  101 , which communicates via the Internet, sending VCC Message  1 A via Receiving Server  102  to Recipient  2 . At the same time, the VCC Message  1 B is sent to the Sending Server  101 , which communicates via the Internet, sending VCC Message  1 B via Receiving Server  103  to Recipient  3 , and the same VCC Message  1 B via Receiving Server  104  to Recipient  4 . 
         [0028]    As another example,  FIG. 2B  illustrates a point to point system. Here, the Sender  10  edits a message with a preferred embodiment of the VCC editor of the current invention, and thereby creating VCC Message  1 A to send to Recipient  11 , and a different VCC Message  1 B to send to Recipient  12 . As a point to point system, the VCC Message  1 A is sent directly via the Internet to Recipient  11 . At the same time, the VCC Message  1 B is sent directly via the Internet to Recipient  12 . 
         [0029]    Finally,  FIG. 2C  illustrates a mixed messaging system. First, Sender  21  edits a message with a preferred embodiment of the VCC editor of the current invention, and thereby creating VCC Message  1 A to send to Recipient  24 , and a different VCC Message  1 B to send to Recipients  23 . The other Sender  22  edits a message with a preferred embodiment of the VCC editor of the current invention, and thereby creating VCC Message  2 A to send to Recipient  24 , and a different VCC Message  2 B to send to Recipients  23 . When Sender  21  sends the VCC Message  1 A, it is routed directly via the Internet to Recipient  24 . At the same time, the VCC Message  1 B is sent directly via the Internet to Receiving Server  123  to Recipient  23 . When Sender  22  sends the VCC Message  2 A, it is sent to the Sending Server  122 , which communicates via the Internet to Recipient  24 . At the same time, the VCC Message  2 B is sent to the Sending Server  122 , which communicates via the Internet to Receiving Server  123  to Recipient  23 . 
         [0030]    Known prior art email application programs are typically configured to generate electronic messages in a memoranda format. An example is depicted in  FIG. 3 . The interface  200  embedded in the email application enables the user to write an email communication. The application provides the user with a platform that offers separate fields for entering at least one outgoing email address (the “to” field)  205 , a brief topic title for the message (the “subject” field)  210 , and a message field for insertion of the actual text of the message (the “body” field)  215 . The application may also provide two optional separate fields, one for entering at least one outgoing email address for at least one recipient who will receive a “carbon copy” (“cc”) of the message (which other recipients can review)  220 , and one for entering at least one outgoing email addresses for at least one recipient who will receive a “blind carbon copy” (“bcc”) (which other recipients cannot review)  225 . It is also possible that the user will be allowed to designate a document, file, or executable program to be attached to and sent with the email communication.  250  When the user finishes entering the message, topic, and outgoing email addresses, the user clicks on the “send” key to transmit.  260   
         [0031]    In  FIG. 4 , a flow diagram is provided to illustrate the general process of the current invention. A user  401  creates a message  410 . The user next selects at least one Recipient for the message  415 . The user modifies the content for a “VCC” Recipient and, if desired, for a “VBCC” Recipient  420 , and the user may add and may modify via one or more attachments with the VCC editor  425 . The user may then decide  450  to select additional Recipients, in which case the process of  415 - 420 - 425  is repeated as often as desired. When the user has added the last Recipient, the user has the option to review and/or print  460 . Finally, the user sends the message  475 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 5  illustrates various applications  510  that will interface with the present invention, the VCC Applications  500 . In one embodiment, the method and system of the present invention can be added to or embedded into email messaging systems  520 . This can be accomplished by an individual user purchasing and installing the present invention into his or her system that is currently operational or by an email messaging software provider embedding the present invention into its system as a feature thereof. 
         [0033]    As shown in  FIG. 5 , the present invention can also be interfaced as a feature in webmail  525 , instant messenger applications  530 , and SMS and MMS communications  535 . A 11  electronic communication systems  540  have sufficient commonalities as to allow the present invention to be interfaced as a feature therein. 
         [0034]    For convenience in explaining the present invention, the flow diagram in  FIG. 6  illustrates one embodiment of the present invention as it would interface into an email messaging system  600  that is currently available in the market. An example of such a system is Microsoft Office Outlook. In this Figure, the present invention is shown as an “add-on” system  650  to the already existing email messaging system  600 . Once the present invention is installed, the user would see the add-on  650  as if it were integral to the email messaging system  600 . The interface  670  would be seamless. Thus, when a user composes and sends email messages, the present invention will seem as if it is part of the messaging system. Communication from the user through the present invention to the email messaging system is two-way and completely integrated. 
         [0035]    Another embodiment of this invention is shown in the flow diagram in  FIG. 7  for a web messaging application. In this embodiment, the present invention is included within the messaging features  720  available to the user in the web application  700 . This Figure illustrates that the present invention, the VCC Option/Program  750 , can be embedded into a messaging application  600 , in contrast to the add-on embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 4 . The interface  770  is also seamless to the user. 
         [0036]      FIG. 8  is a step-by-step schematic diagram of the present invention. The steps shown would be used regardless of which messaging application is interfaced with the present invention and regardless of whether the present invention is utilized as an add-on, an embedded feature, or otherwise. 
         [0037]    The method begins with the user  800  composing a new electronic message or a reply message to an already existing message  805 . Once the message has been composed, the user may decide that a modified message needs to be sent to a recipient other than those already selected to receive the unaltered message. Using the features of the existent messaging system, the user would select the recipients who are going to receive identical copies, whether as carbon copies or blind carbon copies. The user may then select one or more “VCC” recipients  810  using the method and system of the present invention. The addresses of these recipients may be chosen from addresses available to the user in the messaging application, such as from a saved list of contacts or from previous messages retained by the user within the application. 
         [0038]    At this stage, the user  800  may select one or more “VCC” recipients  810  in one grouping. If the user desires to send more variations on the same message, the user may then continue to select additional groupings of one or more “VCC” recipients  820 . This loop continues for so long as the user desires to add “VCC” groups of recipients within the limits of the user&#39;s software and hardware systems. 
         [0039]    In the next stage  830 , the user  800  is permitted to alter the content  840  of the electronic message and any attachments  850  thereto. The user may remove attachments completely or may exchange the attachments for other ones deemed appropriate for the recipient. The message content may be changed minimally or substantially, as preferred by the user. Content may be deleted, added, or otherwise edited. Moreover, modifications in content and attachments can be made for each group of “VCC” recipients separate from other groups of recipients. 
         [0040]    Prior to sending any messages, the user  800  may preview all messages and groups that have been created  860 . Additional changes and corrections can be made at this stage. In addition, there is an option to print the messages  870 . 
         [0041]    Finally, all of the messages are sent using the “send” feature of the electronic messaging application  880 . All messages are sent at one time, including those to the “VCC,” “cc,” “bcc,” and “to” recipients selected. When a message is transmitted, it is delivered to a known email communications system, as illustrated previously in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
         [0000]      FIG. 9  is a flow diagram that illustrates the same preferred embodiment as is demonstrated in the schematic diagram shown in  FIG. 8 . The flow diagram is provided to further clarify the process of the present invention. As previously stated, the procedure shown would be used regardless of which messaging application is interfaced with the present invention and regardless of whether the present invention is utilized as an add-on, an embedded feature, or otherwise. 
         [0042]    As illustrated in the flow diagram in  FIG. 9 , the method of the present invention begins with the user composing a new electronic message or a reply message to an already existing message  900 . After composing the message, the user can modify the message and insert an outgoing email address for a secondary recipient. To do this, the user utilizes the features of the existing messaging system to select the outgoing email recipients who are going to receive identical copies, whether as carbon copies or blind carbon copies. The user may also select one or more “VCC” recipients using the method and system of the present invention. If the user desires to send more variations of the same message, the user may select groupings of at least one “VCC” recipient  910 . The loop  920  continues for so long as the user desires to add “VCC” recipient groups, limited by the user&#39;s email application and hardware systems. The addresses  930  of any of these recipients may be chosen from addresses available to the user in the messaging application, such as from a saved list of contacts or from previous messages retained by the user within the application. 
         [0043]    At the next stage, the user may further alter the content of the electronic message. Content may be deleted, added, or otherwise edited. The message content may be changed minimally or substantially, as preferred by the user. The user may additionally alter, remove, or otherwise modify any of the files, documents, or executable programs that the user may have attached to the electronic message. The user may modify content and/or attachments  940  for each group of “VCC” recipients. 
         [0044]    Prior to sending the primary and any modified messages, the user may preview all messages and groups that have been created  950 . Additional changes and corrections can be made at this stage. In addition, there is an option to print the messages  960 . 
         [0045]    Finally, all of the messages are sent using the “send” feature  980  of the existing electronic messaging application. All of the messages are transmitted at once, including the message to the primary outgoing address, the carbon copy and blind carbon copy outgoing addresses, and the VCC outgoing address. When a message is transmitted, it is delivered to a known email communications system, as illustrated previously in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
         [0046]      FIG. 10  demonstrates one embodiment of the user interface for the present invention. This Figure illustrates a menu bar  1000  that is added to the menu of an existing electronic messaging application of an email system to allow the user to access “VCC” features. The menu bar contains buttons that control the “VCC” features. By selecting these buttons with a mouse click, the user can complete the “VCC” process. 
         [0047]    If a user wants to send a “VCC” message to several recipients, the user would first compose the message to be sent  1010 . Next, the user would select the button marked “add new VCC group”  1020  to add a new field on the messaging bar so the user can add addresses for the “VCC” recipients. The user can repeat this “add” function for as many “VCC” groups as can be accommodated within the software and hardware in use. 
         [0048]    To select recipient address for a “VCC” group, the user enters the email address in the field indicated  1030 . This field will allow the user to chose from previously entered addresses that have been stored in the messaging system in past messages or in a contacts listing. 
         [0049]    For each “VCC” group created, the user next selects the group using the drop-down menu field  1040 . If the user decides to delete any particular “VCC” group, the user may select the group using the drop-down menu and then select the “remove group” button  1050 . It is also possible to delete all of the groups created by selecting the “clear all groups” button  1060 . 
         [0050]    After a “VCC” group has been created, the user will select that group  1040  and then select the “edit content” button  1070 . This button allows the user to alter any content in the message. To modify attachments included with the message, the user selects the button identified as “edit attachments”  1075 . As an added convenience, the user may select the “quick add” button while editing the message  1080 . This option allows the user to add content that the user has highlighted in another “VCC” group message into the currently showing group&#39;s message. 
         [0051]    The user may further select the “preview” button to review all of the messages before they are sent  1085 , at which point the user may send any of the messages to print if preferred. There is an optional “silent VCC” button  1090  that the user may select to maintain the “VCC” group as invisible to the recipients, in the same fashion as a “blind carbon copy (“bcc”). 
         [0052]    Finally, when all modifications are made and groups of recipients are created, the user selects the “send” button of the messaging application  1095 . By selecting this button, the user will cause all messages to be sent at one time. 
         [0053]    The present invention also includes a “help” button that the user may select  1098 . Selection of this button will activate an online connection to a website where the user can receive tips and explanations about using the “VCC” application.