Patent ID: 7836141

Claim:
A method for storing a message and delivering the message from a network server to a user's computer via a network using a hyper-text transfer protocol (HTTP), comprising: receiving the message, wherein the message is addressed to the user; storing the message in a user-specific message storage area associated with the network server, wherein access to the user-specific message storage area is restricted to the user or others authorized by the user; receiving an access request from a hyper-text browser executing on the user's computer, via the network, in accordance with the hyper-text transfer protocol, wherein the access request contains an application layer address associated with the network server on the network and the access request is indicative of a request by the user to gain access to the user-specific message storage area; making a determination to grant or deny the access request; in response to a determination to grant the access request, transmitting a mark-up language file from the network server to the hyper-text browser, via the network, using the hyper-text transfer protocol, wherein the mark-up language file enables the hyper-text browser to generate a user interface through which a link to the message stored in the user-specific message storage area can be selected by the user; receiving, via the network, in accordance with the hyper-text transfer protocol, an indication that the user has selected the link corresponding to the message stored in the user-specific message storage area; and transmitting the message to the hyper-text browser, via the network, in accordance with the hyper-text transfer protocol, in response to the indication.