The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Apr. 03, 2012
Filed:
Oct. 23, 2003
Alexander E. Vaschillo, Redmond, WA (US);
Bryan T. Starbuck, Redmond, WA (US);
Gail Borod Giacobbe, Seattle, WA (US);
Stephen T. Wells, Seattle, WA (US);
Robert C. Combs, Redmond, WA (US);
Sridhar Sundararaman, Bellevue, WA (US);
Raghavendra Rachamadugu, Hyderabad, IN;
Hubert Louis Marie Van Hoof, Seattle, WA (US);
John Heinrich Lueders, Seattle, WA (US);
Alexander E. Vaschillo, Redmond, WA (US);
Bryan T. Starbuck, Redmond, WA (US);
Gail Borod Giacobbe, Seattle, WA (US);
Stephen T. Wells, Seattle, WA (US);
Robert C. Combs, Redmond, WA (US);
Sridhar Sundararaman, Bellevue, WA (US);
Raghavendra Rachamadugu, Hyderabad, IN;
Hubert Louis Marie Van Hoof, Seattle, WA (US);
John Heinrich Lueders, Seattle, WA (US);
Microsoft Corporation, Redmond, WA (US);
Abstract
The present invention extends to methods, systems, computer program products, and data structures for efficiently storing and accessing electronic messages. Generally, electronic messages are created and transformed in accordance with an electronic message schema hierarchy. Electronic messages can be created according to a general message schema that defines a format for data fields that are common to all types of electronic messages (e.g. electronic mail, instant message, fax message). Electronic messages can also be extended according to message extension schemas that define formats for adding protocol specific and/or or application specific data fields to an electronic message. Data fields added in accordance with message extension schemas can differ between electronic messages types. Having some commonly defined fields and other differently defined fields promotes efficient storage and access of electronic messages, while also facilitating message compatibility with existing message protocols and message applications.