E-mail service provider method and apparatus

Abstract

An e-mail service provider method and apparatus provide means for individuals to register with a service that provides e-mail addresses that correspond to their vehicle license plate characters. Registered users will make their e-mail addresses available to those observing their vehicles. The service provider also furnishes indicia for attachment to the vehicles that identify the vehicle owner as a registered user of the service and possibly having an interest in a particular sport, hobby, affiliation or other special interest. The service provider furnishes mailboxes for unregistered users, storing any mail for such users until the user registers with the service provider. Registered users are permitted to maintain profiles that store information related to the user such as hobbies, interests affiliations and, if desired, phone numbers. Registered users have the option of permitting access to their profiles by marketing interests. If access is granted, the user may receive targeted marketing e-mail.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.