Patent US5278955A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5278955A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Open systems mail handling capability in a multi-user environment
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1990-06-18
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Granted: 1994-01-11
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Expires: 2010-06-18
Abstract
Abstract A system and method is provided which allows users of an OSI mail handling system the advantage of communicating with users of other mail handling systems and utilizing the functionality associated with the OSI system. The functionality of a RFC-987 gateway is extended to provide, in addition to a straight conversion function, full OSI mail handling functions. A conventional mail handler is extended to allow for both OSI mail and conventional mail originating from a user of any mail system to be processed, thus providing a common interface for mail system users. Further, the sendmail component has now been enabled to recognize OSI addresses and route the associated messages to the appropriate destination. Mixed mode addressing has also been extended to include OSI type addresses in an address string that may contain components from several different networks, e.g. TCP/IP, UUCP.
Inventors
- 👤 Roger W. Forte
- 👤 Ellen J. Stokes
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 13:26
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L51/00; H04L51/06; H04L51/066; H04L51/48
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
A method for communicating between a data processing system and a first and second communication system, said first system having a first communication protocol and said second system having a second communication protocol, said method comprising the steps of: processing communications using said first protocol, by first means included in said data processing system; processing communications using said second protocol, by second means included in said first means; converting communications between said second protocol and said first protocol, transferring said converted communications between said second communication system and said first means, and transferring communications using said second protocol directly between said second communication system and said second means; transferring communications using said first protocol directly between said first communication system and said first means; and providing access, to a user of said processing system, to communications using said first and second protocols, from said first and second systems, respectively.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
149 words
A method for communicating between a data processing system and a first and second communication system, said first system having a first communication protocol and said second system having a second communication protocol, said method comprising the steps of: processing communications using said first protocol, by first means included in said data processing system; processing communications using said second protocol, by second means included in said first means; converting communications between said second protocol and said first protocol, transferring said converted communications between said second communication system and said first means, and transferring communications using said second protocol directly between said second communication system and said second means; transferring communications using said first protocol directly between said first communication system and said first means; and providing access, to a user of said processing system, to communications using said first and second protocols, from said first and second systems, respectively.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said step of processing communications using said second protocol comprises the steps of: providing header fields used by said second communication protocol; and indicating to said user when said converted communications, received by said first means, contain information using said first protocol.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
63 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein said step of converting comprises the steps of: adding address information, of said first protocol to communications received, from said second system using said second protocol such that a mixed address is provided; and deleting address information of said first protocol from communications using said mixed address, output by said first means to said second system.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
51 words
A method according to claim 3 wherein said step of converting, further comprises the steps of: providing a first communication path between said second system and said second means; and providing a second communication path between said second system and said first means, wherein said second path transfers said converted communications.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
A method according to claim 4 wherein said step of providing access further comprises the step of providing a message storing queue.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 5 wherein said message storing queue includes communications using said first protocol and said second protocol.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
144 words
A data processing system for communicating between a first and second communication system, said first system having a first communication protocol and said second system having a second communication protocol, comprising: first means for processing communications using said first protocol; second means, included in said first means, for processing communications using said second protocol; means for converting communications between said second protocol and said first protocol, and for transferring said converted communications between said second communication system and said first means, and for transferring communications using said second protocol directly between said second communication system and said second means; means for transferring communications using said first protocol directly between said first communication system and said first means; and means for providing access, to a user of said processing system, to communications using said first and second protocols, from said first and second systems, respectively.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
144 words
A data processing system for communicating between a first and second communication system, said first system having a first communication protocol and said second system having a second communication protocol, comprising: first means for processing communications using said first protocol; second means, included in said first means, for processing communications using said second protocol; means for converting communications between said second protocol and said first protocol, and for transferring said converted communications between said second communication system and said first means, and for transferring communications using said second protocol directly between said second communication system and said second means; means for transferring communications using said first protocol directly between said first communication system and said first means; and means for providing access, to a user of said processing system, to communications using said first and second protocols, from said first and second systems, respectively.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
A system according to claim 7 wherein said second means comprises: means for providing header fields used by said second communication protocol; and means for indicating to said user when said converted communications, received by said first means, contain information using said first protocol.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
64 words
A system according to claim 8 wherein said means for converting comprises: means for adding address information, of said first protocol to communications received, from said second system, using said second protocol, such that a mixed address is provided; and means for deleting address information of said first protocol from communications using said mixed address, output by said first means to said second system.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
46 words
A system according to claim 9 wherein said means for converting, further comprises: a first communication path between said second system and said second means; and a second communication path between said second system and said first means, wherein said second path transfers said converted communications.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system according to claim 10 wherein said means for providing access further comprises a message storing queue.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
A system according to claim 11 wherein said message storing queue includes communications using said first protocol and said second protocol.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1997-01-10 | 1997-07-12 | 1998-01-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2001-01-10 | 2001-07-12 | 2002-01-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2005-01-10 | 2005-07-12 | 2006-01-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |