US5961590A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System and method for synchronizing electronic mail between a client site and a central site
Assignee: FB COMMERCIAL FINANCE Inc
•
Filing: 1997-07-22
•
Granted: 1999-10-05
•
Expires: 2017-07-22
Abstract
Abstract A system includes an e-mail engine which uses a proper protocol to retrieve an e-mail from a first mail store and to store the e-mail in one or more folder structures. Upon request, the first mail store may send configuration data indicating the proper protocol to the e-mail engine, which can then properly configure itself. An e-mail synchronization module uses a predetermined criterion to determine whether the e-mail was previously sent and whether to synchronize the e-mail with a second mail store. The e-mail synchronization module may also synchronize the e-mail of specific folder structures. The second mail store may be located on a global server, which upon proper identification and authentication provides roaming users with access to its contents. A communications module establishes a communications channel through any firewalls with the second mail store. A web engine sends the e-mail via the communications channel to the second mail store.
Inventors
- 👤 Daniel J. Mendez
- 👤 Mark D. Riggins
- 👤 Prasad Wagle
- 👤 Christine C. Ying
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 16:38
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L63/00; H04L63/02; G; G06; G06Q; G06Q10/00; G06Q10/10; G06Q10/107; H04L51/00; H04L51/42; H04L63/04; H04L63/08; H04L63/0823; H04L63/10; H04L69/00; H04L69/04; H04L9/00; H04L9/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 39
Claim 1
Independent Claim
65 words
A client system comprising: obtaining means for obtaining e-mail from a mail server; determining means for using a predetermined criterion to determine whether to send the e-mail to a central mail store; establishing means, coupled to the determining means, for establishing a communications channel with the central mail store; and sending means, coupled to the establishing means, for sending e-mail to the central mail store.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
65 words
A client system comprising: obtaining means for obtaining e-mail from a mail server; determining means for using a predetermined criterion to determine whether to send the e-mail to a central mail store; establishing means, coupled to the determining means, for establishing a communications channel with the central mail store; and sending means, coupled to the establishing means, for sending e-mail to the central mail store.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the mail server implements a first protocol.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 2 wherein the obtaining means includes an e-mail engine for communicating with the mail server.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 3 wherein the e-mail engine implements the first protocol used by the mail server.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 4 wherein the e-mail engine identifies the first protocol used by the mail server.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the predetermined criterion includes a determination of whether e-mail has already been sent to the central mail store.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The system of claim 6 wherein the determination is resolved by examining a receipt date corresponding to the e-mail and a last synchronization signature indicating the last date of synchronization with the central mail store.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the establishing means includes a communications module.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 8 wherein the central mail store is protected by a firewall and the communications module includes security means for communicating through the firewall.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising means for selecting a folder structure for synchronization of all e-mails therein.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 1 wherein the sending means includes a web engine.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 1 further comprising a synchronization-start module for using a start criterion to determine when to initiate synchronization with the central mail store.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
60 words
A client-based method comprising: obtaining an e-mail from a mail server; using a predetermined criterion to determine whether to send the e-mail to a central mail store; establishing a communications channel with the central mail store, if the predetermined criterion indicates sending the e-mail; and sending the e-mail to the mail store, if the predetermined criterion indicates sending the e-mail.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
60 words
A client-based method comprising: obtaining an e-mail from a mail server; using a predetermined criterion to determine whether to send the e-mail to a central mail store; establishing a communications channel with the central mail store, if the predetermined criterion indicates sending the e-mail; and sending the e-mail to the mail store, if the predetermined criterion indicates sending the e-mail.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 13 further comprising means for selecting a folder structure for synchronization of all e-mails therein.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the step of retrieving includes using the first protocol.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 15 wherein the step of retrieving includes the step of identifying the first protocol.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 14, wherein the central mail store is protected by a firewall; and further comprising the step of communicating through the firewall.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the step of using a predetermined criterion includes determining whether e-mail has already been sent to the central mail store.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 18 wherein the step of determining includes examining a receipt date corresponding to the e-mail and a last synchronization signature which indicates the last date of synchronization with the central mail store.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the mail server implements a first protocol.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 13 wherein the central mail store is remotely located and the step of sending includes communicating e-mail through a computer network.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 13 further comprising a synchronization-start module for using a start criterion to determine when to initiate synchronization with the central mail store.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
70 words
A client system comprising: an e-mail engine for obtaining e-mail from a mail server; an e-mail synchronization module for using a predetermined criterion to determine whether to send e-mail to a central mail store; a communications module coupled to the e-mail synchronization module for establishing a communications channel with the central mail store; and a web engine, coupled to the communications module, for sending e-mail to the central mail store.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
70 words
A client system comprising: an e-mail engine for obtaining e-mail from a mail server; an e-mail synchronization module for using a predetermined criterion to determine whether to send e-mail to a central mail store; a communications module coupled to the e-mail synchronization module for establishing a communications channel with the central mail store; and a web engine, coupled to the communications module, for sending e-mail to the central mail store.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 23 wherein the mail server implements a first protocol.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 24 wherein the e-mail engine implements the first protocol used by the mail server to communicate with the mail server.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 25 wherein the e-mail engine identifies the first protocol.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 23 wherein the predetermined criterion includes a determination of whether e-mail has already been sent to the central mail store.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
34 words
The system of claim 27 wherein the determination is resolved by examining receipt date corresponding to the e-mail and a last synchronization signature indicating the last date of synchronization with the central mail store.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 23 further comprising means for selecting a folder structure for synchronization of all e-mails therein.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 23 wherein the central mail store is protected by a firewall and the communications module includes security means for communicating through the firewall.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 23 further comprising a synchronization-start module for using a start criterion to determine when to initiate synchronization with the central mail store.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
62 words
A client system for automatically downloading e-mails for a particular client from a mail server which implements a particular protocol, comprising: means for automatically initiating a communications channel with a mail server; means for identifying the particular protocol used by the mail server; and means for using the particular protocol to download e-mails addressed to a particular client from the mail server.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
62 words
A client system for automatically downloading e-mails for a particular client from a mail server which implements a particular protocol, comprising: means for automatically initiating a communications channel with a mail server; means for identifying the particular protocol used by the mail server; and means for using the particular protocol to download e-mails addressed to a particular client from the mail server.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 32 wherein the means for identifying includes means for receiving configuration information from the mail server.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
55 words
A computer-readable storage medium storing program code for causing a client computer to perform the steps of: obtaining e-mail from a mail server; using a predetermined criterion to determine whether to send e-mail to a central mail store; establishing a communications channel with the central mail store; and sending e-mail to the central mail store.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
55 words
A computer-readable storage medium storing program code for causing a client computer to perform the steps of: obtaining e-mail from a mail server; using a predetermined criterion to determine whether to send e-mail to a central mail store; establishing a communications channel with the central mail store; and sending e-mail to the central mail store.
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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) | 2002-10-04 | 2003-04-05 | 2003-10-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-10-04 | 2007-04-05 | 2007-10-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-10-04 | 2011-04-05 | 2011-10-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |