Abstract: An exemplary method is implemented by end-user communication devices for transmitting and receiving HTTP messages in which acknowledgement of receipt by an addressee of an email is requested by an originator of the email. An acknowledgement request command is stored in a command portion of a user data segment of a received HTTP message. Upon receipt of the HTTP message by the addressee device, a reply HTTP message with an acknowledgement request must be authorized to be transmitted to the originator in order to allow the addressee to be able to view the content of the received HTTP message.

Abstract: An exemplary method processes an electronic communication received by a first end-user communication device, where the electronic communication comprises a digital packet having a header segment and a user data segment. A determination is made whether the received user data segment contains a first label that identifies a corresponding enhanced services application program stored in memory of the first end-user communication device. On identifying a first label, a determination is made whether the received user data segment contains a first command that identifies a corresponding action to be taken by the first enhanced services application program. On determining the existence of a first command, the first enhanced services application program causes a first action corresponding to the first command to be executed on the first end-user communication device.

Abstract: An exemplary method processes an electronic communication received by a first end-user communication device where the digital electronic communication is packet having a header segment and a user data segment conveyed to the first end-user communication device using one of a plurality of possible transport layer communication protocols. A determination is made whether the received user data segment contains a first label that identifies a corresponding module of an enhanced services application program stored in memory of the first end-user communication device. On determining that a first label is contained in the user data segment, routing the received user data segment to the first module of the first enhanced services application program regardless of which one of the plurality of possible transport layer communication protocols carried the electronic communication to the first end-user communication device.

Abstract: An exemplary method implemented by a first end-user communication device originates an electronic communication. User input is received to create information to be conveyed by the transmission of a digital packet having a header segment and a user data segment. The user data segment contains a user message and a priority value where the priority value conveys a corresponding message priority to a recipient device. The priority value and the user message are determined by the user of the first end-user communication device. Under the control of a first module of an enhanced services application program, a composition screen is displayed by which the user input including the user message is entered. Visual indicia indicative of a current message priority to be assigned to the user message is displayed on the composition. The first module causes insertion of the priority value corresponding to the current message priority in a priority field in the user data segment prior to transmission of the digital packet.

Abstract: An exemplary method is implemented by an electronic device for transmitting a data message to at least a first end-user communication device. Data that forms a user message for conveyance to a first end-user communication device and a first value are received under the control of an enhanced services application program. A digital packet is formed with a header segment and a user data segment. The user data segment is formed under the control of the enhanced services application program and contains a first command and the user message, the first command representing that the user message is to be automatically deleted by the recipient first end-user communication device. The first command includes the first value that represents how long until the user message will be automatically deleted by the first end-user communication device. The digital packet is transmitted to the first end-user communication device.

Abstract: An exemplary method implemented by a first end-user communication device receives an electronic communication of a digital packet having a header segment and a user data segment, the user data segment containing a user message and a priority value A first message priority is determined by a first module of a enhanced services application program. The first message priority is based on the received priority value that defines first visual indicia representing a first priority for the user message, a plurality of different message priorities with associated different visual indicia being defined by corresponding priority values. Under the control of the first module, the user message concurrent with the first visual indicia are displayed on a screen segment of the first end-user's communication device so that the first priority assigned to the received user message is visually conveyed to the first end-user.

Abstract: An exemplary method is implemented by end-user communication devices for processing the receipt of an HTTP message wherein a received HTTP message comprises a digital packet having a header and a user data segment. The user data segment contains a user message and an acknowledgement command where the acknowledgement command conveys a request from an originating device to acknowledge receipt of the subject HTTP message. The received user message is prevented from being displayed on a screen of the first end-user communication device of content until input is entered authorizing a reply to the acknowledgement request. Upon receiving the authorization: a reply HTTP message with an acknowledgement is automatically generated by the first end-user communication device and transmitted to the originating device; the content of the message is displayed.

Abstract: An exemplary method is implemented by a first end-user communication device for processing a received electronic communication that includes a digital packet having a header segment and a user data segment. The user data segment contains a first command and a user message, where the first command contains a first parameter representing automatic expiration and an associated first value representing how long the user message will be available for display by the first end-user communication device. Under the control of an enhanced services application program, the user message in clear text format is generated for display on a screen of the first end-user communication device. A determination is made of the expiration of the time set by the first value, and upon the expiration, the clear text user message is thereafter prevented from being accessed by the first end-user communication device.

Abstract: An exemplary method is implemented by end-user communication devices for processing the receipt of an email wherein a received email comprises a digital packet having a header and a user data segment. The user data segment contains a user message and an acknowledgement command where the acknowledgement command conveys a request from an originating device to acknowledge receipt of the subject email. The received user message is prevented from being displayed on a screen of the first end-user communication device of content until input is entered authorizing a reply to the acknowledgement request.

Abstract: An exemplary method is implemented by end-user communication devices for transmitting and receiving emails in which acknowledgement of receipt by an addressee of an email is requested by an originator of the email. The email includes a digital packet having a header segment and a user data segment, the user data segment containing a user message and a command portion. An acknowledgement request command is stored in the command portion of an email. Upon receipt of the email by the addressee device and authorization to send an acknowledgement by the user, a reply email with an acknowledgement request is transmitted to the originator. Viewing of the content of the received email by the addressee is prohibited until the authorization is given. Accounting for acknowledgement receipts from multiple addressees is managed by the originator's device.

Abstract: An exemplary method is implemented by end-user communication devices for processing the receipt of an HTTP message wherein a received HTTP message comprises a digital packet having a header and a user data segment. The user data segment contains a user message and an acknowledgement command where the acknowledgement command conveys a request from an originating device to acknowledge receipt of the subject HTTP message. The received user message is prevented from being displayed on a screen of the first end-user communication device of content until input is entered authorizing a reply to the acknowledgement request. Upon receiving the authorization: a reply HTTP message with an acknowledgement is automatically generated by the first end-user communication device and transmitted to the originating device; the content of the message is displayed.

Abstract: An exemplary method is implemented by end-user communication devices for transmitting and receiving HTTP messages in which acknowledgement of receipt by an addressee of an email is requested by an originator of the email. An acknowledgement request command is stored in a command portion of a user data segment of a received HTTP message. Upon receipt of the HTTP message by the addressee device, a reply HTTP message with an acknowledgement request must be authorized to be transmitted to the originator in order to allow the addressee to be able to view the content of the received HTTP message.

Abstract: An exemplary method processes an electronic communication received by a first end-user communication device. A communication, received by the first end-user communication device, is a digital message sent from a second end-user device. A message processing program includes an auto-reply generation method that is active to automatically transmit a predetermined reply message to another device upon receipt of a message from it. A list of origination addresses to which the predetermined reply message has previously been transmitted is stored in memory. On receipt of the digital message from the second end-user device, a determination is made if the origination address of the second end-user device is in the list of origination addresses. If it is in the list of origination addresses, the auto-reply generation method is inhibited from transmitting the predetermined reply message.