System and method for conducting predefined transactions via an electronic mail messaging infrastructure

A method for conducting a predefined transaction via electronic mail messaging, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) identifying a rule applicable to an electronic mail message, said rule requiring said electronic mail message to include data corresponding to at least one data element;
• (b) determining that data corresponding to said at least one data element is absent from said electronic mail message;
• (c) retrieving said data corresponding to said at least one data element from a first data store;
• and
• (d) modifying said electronic mail message to include said data.

A device for conducting a predefined transaction via electronic mail messaging, the device comprising:

• a central processing unit;
• a memory operatively connected to said central processing unit;
• a telecommunications device operatively connected to said central processing unit and capable of communicating via a communications network;
• a first program stored in said memory and executable by said central processing unit for identifying a rule applicable to an electronic mail message;
• a second program stored in said memory and executable by said central processing unit for identifying at least one data element required for said rule;
• a third program stored in said memory and executable by said central processing unit for retrieving from a first data store data corresponding to said at least one data element;
• and
• a fourth program stored in said memory and executable by said central processing unit for associating said data with said electronic mail message.

A device for facilitating predefined transactions via electronic mail messaging, the device comprising:

• a central processing unit;
• a memory operatively connected to said central processing unit;
• a telecommunications device operatively connected to said central processing unit and capable of communicating via a communications network;
• a data store stored in said memory, said data store storing at least one rule relating to at least one data element;
• a first program stored in said memory and executable by said central processing unit for storing said rule in said data store;
• and
• a second program stored in said memory and executable by said central processing unit for transmitting said rule via a communications network.

An electronic mail transaction system, the system comprising:

• a trusted intermediary device comprising:
• a central processing unit;
• a memory operatively connected to said central processing unit;
• a telecommunications device operatively connected to said central processing unit and capable of communicating via a communications network;
• a master data store stored in said memory, said master data store storing a plurality of rules, each of said plurality of rules relating to at least one data element;
• a first program stored in said memory and executable by said central processing unit for transmitting at least one of said plurality of rules via said communications network;
• and
• a subscriber device capable of communicating with said trusted intermediary device via said communications network, said subscriber device comprising:
• a central processing unit;
• a memory operatively connected to said central processing unit;
• a telecommunications device operatively connected to said central processing unit and capable of communicating via said communications network;
• a first subscriber data store stored in said memory, said first subscriber data store storing said at least one of said plurality of rules;
• a second subscriber data store stored in said memory, said second subscriber data store storing data relating to said at least one data element, said data being specific to said recipient;
• a first program stored in said memory and executable by said central processing unit for identifying said at least one of said plurality of rules as applicable to an electronic mail message;
• a second program stored in said memory and executable by said central processing unit for identifying said at least one data element as required for said at least one of said plurality of rules;
• to a third program stored in said memory and executable by said central processing unit for retrieving said data relating to said at least one data element from said second subscriber data store;
• and
• a fourth program stored in said memory and executable by said central processing unit for associating said data relating to said at least one data element with said electronic mail message.