Patent ID: 7194513

Claim:
A system for exchanging digital content files as email attachments, comprising: a system server connected to a communications network and implementing a standard electronic mail protocol for sending and receiving email and digital content email attachments via the communications network; the system server having storage and retrieval means for a plurality of user interface display screens and digital content files; an Internet appliance for receiving a reduced keyset keystroke sequence, a connection with the communications network for establishing a client relationship with the system server, a browser for accessing user interface display screens via the network connection, a video/audio converter providing output signals compatible with a standard television receiver for display of accessed user interface display screens, and hyperlink selection means responsive to the received keystroke sequence for navigating an accessed user interface display screen; the user interface screens and the reduced keyset keystroke sequence defining a text entry and editing protocol, an email creation and addressing protocol, an email viewing protocol, and an email deletion protocol; the user interface screens and the reduced keyset keystroke sequence also defining an email attachment selection protocol permitting selection of digital content files for attachment to a user created email; the system server including means responsive to the email attachment selection protocol and the reduced keyset keystroke sequence for retrieving a selected digital content file, and for encoding the retrieved file as a standard email attachment; the system server including means for establishing a connection via the communications network with a standard email server, and for sending an email and the encoded attachment to the email server using the standard email protocols; the system server including means for establishing a connection via the communications network with the email server for receiving email and encoded attachments, for decoding the attachments, for storing the received email and decoded attachment, and for notifying the Internet appliance that an email and attachment has been received.