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Abstract

A method for delivering electronic mail (e-mail) messages over a cable television distribution network comprises the steps of: accepting e-mail messages addressed to e-mail subscribers of the cable television distribution network; respectively associating each the e-mail message with data identifying one of the subscribers; adding an address header from the data identifying the subscribers to each the e-mail message corresponding to the premises of the respective e-mail subscriber; transmitting the e-mail messages and address headers for transmission over the cable distribution network simultaneously with television signals but in a predefined frequency band not carrying the television signals; receiving all e-mail messages transmitted over of the cable television distribution network at each respective premises of the e-mail subscribers; decoding the address headers of the e-mail messages; determining from the address headers whether the e-mail message is addressed to the respective premises; and, if the e-mail is addressed to the respective premises, displaying the e-mail message. The e-mail message can be encrypted prior to transmission with a code from the data identifying the respective subscriber and subsequently decrypting at the subscriber's premises. A stand-alone mailbox for receiving the e-mail messages comprises: a demodulator for receiving all e-mail messages transmitted over of the cable television distribution network; a decoder for the address headers and the e-mail messages; a comparator for determining if the address header of any of the e-mail messages matches an address of the premises for which the mailbox is coded; and, a display for the e-mail messages.

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First Claim