Methods and systems for message forwarding and property notifications using electronic subscriptions

In a first device that is included in a network system that also includes a second device, the first device being capable of monitoring receipt of an electronic mail message at the first device, a method of transmitting the electronic mail message from the first device to the second device when the electronic mail message is received by the first device so that the electronic mail message is automatically forwarded to the second device, the method comprising the acts of:

• receiving a subscription request from the second device, the subscription request specifying:
• the first device to which the second device is subscribing;
• and
• a condition associated with the electronic mail message, wherein the subscription request represents a request for the first device to forward the electronic mail message from the first device upon the first device experiencing the specified condition;
• in response to receiving the subscription request, monitoring the receipt of the electronic mail message at the first device, resulting in the first device making a determination that the first device has experienced the specified condition;
• upon the first device making the determination, transmitting the electronic mail message from the first device to the second device, such that the second device is notified that the first device has experienced the specified condition.
• 11.The method of claim 10, wherein the act of receiving the subscription request from the second device comprises the act of receiving the subscription request over the Internet from the second device using an extension of HyperText Transport Protocol (HTTP).

A computer product for implementing, in a system that includes a first device and a second device, the first device being capable of monitoring the value of a property at the first device, a method of transmitting a message from the first device to the second device when the value of the property at the first device experiences a specified conditions so that the second device is notified that the value of the property has experienced the specified condition, the computer program product comprising:

• a computer readable medium carrying computer-executable instructions for implementing the method, wherein the computer-executable instructions, when executed by the system, cause the system to perform the acts of:
• receiving a subscription request from the second device, the subscription request specifying:
• the property to which the second device is subscribing;
• and
• a condition associated with the value of the property, wherein the subscription request represents a request for the first device to generate a message when the value of the specified property at the first device experiences the specified condition;
• in response to receiving the subscription request, monitoring the value of the specified property at the first device, resulting in the first device making a determination that the value of the specified property has experienced the specified condition;
• upon the first device making the determination, generating a message that includes information identifying the value of the specified property at the first device;
• and
• transmitting the message from the first device to the second device, such that the second device is notified that the value of the property has experienced the specified condition.