US6163802A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Message tracking system
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1997-04-04
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Granted: 2000-12-19
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Expires: 2017-04-04
Abstract
Abstract An electronic messaging tracking system and method is provided that tracks messages in a single or multiprotocol messaging environment. Tracking entries are collected, stored and updated. Queries may be made regarding the status, travel path, and other criteria of any message. Queries need not include a unique identifier of the message. Users may access the message tracking system from an internal or external network.
Inventors
- 👤 Ken K Lin
- 👤 Michael S. Lees
- 👤 Gordon E. Hegfield
- 👤 Bruce G. Ernst
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 19:37
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L51/00; H04L51/21; H04L51/234
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
160 words
A method for tracking electronic messages, comprising the steps of: enabling a collector to collect a plurality of tracking entries, wherein said tracking entries comprise messaging data, and said messaging data further comprise at least one of: data from a native message log and data from a native application program interface; enabling said collector to insert said tracking entries into a message tracker store; storing said tracking entries in said message tracker store; updating said message tracker store at a predetermined interval, wherein said step of updating comprises enabling said collector to collect additional tracking entries, and enabling said collector to insert said additional tracking entries into said message tracker store; and enabling a subagent to receive a tracking entry query said tracking entry query comprising: a tracking entry query conceptual row, a tracking store object call, a fill row object that fills said tracking entry query conceptual row with response objects, and an assembler to assemble a formatted response.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
160 words
A method for tracking electronic messages, comprising the steps of: enabling a collector to collect a plurality of tracking entries, wherein said tracking entries comprise messaging data, and said messaging data further comprise at least one of: data from a native message log and data from a native application program interface; enabling said collector to insert said tracking entries into a message tracker store; storing said tracking entries in said message tracker store; updating said message tracker store at a predetermined interval, wherein said step of updating comprises enabling said collector to collect additional tracking entries, and enabling said collector to insert said additional tracking entries into said message tracker store; and enabling a subagent to receive a tracking entry query said tracking entry query comprising: a tracking entry query conceptual row, a tracking store object call, a fill row object that fills said tracking entry query conceptual row with response objects, and an assembler to assemble a formatted response.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method for tracking electronic messages according to claim 1, wherein said tracking entries comprise messaging data from a plurality of messaging systems.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method for tracking electronic messages according to claim 1, wherein said messaging data are retrieved via Simple Network Management Protocol.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
266 words
A method for tracking electronic messages, comprising the steps of: reading native message log files; extracting a plurality of native message tracking entries from said native message log files, said native message tracking entries being in native format; converting said native message tracking entries into message track store entries, said message track store entries being in a message store format; filtering said message track store entries to produce filtered message track store entries; storing said filtered message track store entries in a message tracker store; and updating said message tracker store, wherein said step of updating comprises: checking said native message log files for new entries, said new entries being entries that have been added to said native message log files subsequent to execution of said reading step; filtering said new entries to produce filtered new entries; querying said message tracker store to determine if each of said filtered new entries is present in said message tracker store; inserting each said filtered new entry into said message tracker store for each said new entry that is not present in said message tracker store; and updating corresponding entries in said message tracker store for each said new entry that is present in said message tracker store; and retrieving messaging data from said message tracker store wherein said step of retrieving messaging data comprises: enabling a subagent to receive a tracking request, said tracking request comprising: a tracking request conceptual row, a tracking store object call, a fill row object that fills said tracking request conceptual row with response objects, and an assembler to assemble a formatted response.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
266 words
A method for tracking electronic messages, comprising the steps of: reading native message log files; extracting a plurality of native message tracking entries from said native message log files, said native message tracking entries being in native format; converting said native message tracking entries into message track store entries, said message track store entries being in a message store format; filtering said message track store entries to produce filtered message track store entries; storing said filtered message track store entries in a message tracker store; and updating said message tracker store, wherein said step of updating comprises: checking said native message log files for new entries, said new entries being entries that have been added to said native message log files subsequent to execution of said reading step; filtering said new entries to produce filtered new entries; querying said message tracker store to determine if each of said filtered new entries is present in said message tracker store; inserting each said filtered new entry into said message tracker store for each said new entry that is not present in said message tracker store; and updating corresponding entries in said message tracker store for each said new entry that is present in said message tracker store; and retrieving messaging data from said message tracker store wherein said step of retrieving messaging data comprises: enabling a subagent to receive a tracking request, said tracking request comprising: a tracking request conceptual row, a tracking store object call, a fill row object that fills said tracking request conceptual row with response objects, and an assembler to assemble a formatted response.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method for tracking electronic messages according to claim 4, wherein said checking step is conducted at a predetermined interval.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method for tracking electronic messages according to claim 4, wherein said tracking request is inputted by a user via a user interface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method for tracking electronic messages according to claim 4, wherein said tracking request comprises general query information.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method for tracking electronic messages according to claim 6, further comprising means for providing said tracking responses to said user.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
110 words
A message tracking system, comprising: a message tracker store having a plurality of tracking entries, wherein said tracking entries comprise messaging data, and said messaging data further comprise at least one of: data from a native message log and data from a native application program interface; a collector, wherein said collector reads said messaging data and inserts tracking entries into said message tracker store; and a subagent, wherein said subagent enables a tracking request, said tracking request comprising: a tracking request conceptual row, a tracking store object call, a fill row object that fills said tracking request conceptual row with response objects, and an assembler to assemble a formatted response.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
110 words
A message tracking system, comprising: a message tracker store having a plurality of tracking entries, wherein said tracking entries comprise messaging data, and said messaging data further comprise at least one of: data from a native message log and data from a native application program interface; a collector, wherein said collector reads said messaging data and inserts tracking entries into said message tracker store; and a subagent, wherein said subagent enables a tracking request, said tracking request comprising: a tracking request conceptual row, a tracking store object call, a fill row object that fills said tracking request conceptual row with response objects, and an assembler to assemble a formatted response.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
A message tracking system according to claim 9, further comprising a user interface, said user interface being linked to said subagent to allow a user to retrieve said tracking entries.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
18 words
A message tracking system according to claim 10, wherein said user interface is a World Wide Web browser.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
80 words
An electronic message tracking system comprising: message tracker store means for storing a plurality of entry tracking means; collector means for inserting said entry tracking means into said message tracker store means; and subagent means wherein said subagent means enables a tracking request, said tracking request comprising: tracking request conceptual row means, tracking store object call means, fill row object means that fills said tracking request conceptual row means with response objects, and assembler means to assemble a formatted response.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
80 words
An electronic message tracking system comprising: message tracker store means for storing a plurality of entry tracking means; collector means for inserting said entry tracking means into said message tracker store means; and subagent means wherein said subagent means enables a tracking request, said tracking request comprising: tracking request conceptual row means, tracking store object call means, fill row object means that fills said tracking request conceptual row means with response objects, and assembler means to assemble a formatted response.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
29 words
The electronic message tracking system of claim 12, further comprising: user interface means for linking to said subagent means to allow a user to retrieve said entry tracking means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
95 words
An electronic storage medium having code embodied thereon for causing a processor to track electronic messages, the medium comprising: message tracker store code that enables a message tracker store that stores at least one tracking entry; collector code that inserts the at least one tracking entry into the message tracker store; and subagent code that enables a tracking request, said tracking request comprising: a tracking request conceptual row, a tracking store object call, a fill row object that fills said tracking request conceptual row with response objects, and an assembler to assemble a formatted response.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
95 words
An electronic storage medium having code embodied thereon for causing a processor to track electronic messages, the medium comprising: message tracker store code that enables a message tracker store that stores at least one tracking entry; collector code that inserts the at least one tracking entry into the message tracker store; and subagent code that enables a tracking request, said tracking request comprising: a tracking request conceptual row, a tracking store object call, a fill row object that fills said tracking request conceptual row with response objects, and an assembler to assemble a formatted response.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
34 words
The electronic storage medium of claim 14, further comprising: user interface code that enables a user interface that links to the subagent to allow a user to retrieve the at least one tracking entry.
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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) | 2003-12-19 | 2004-06-19 | 2004-12-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-12-19 | 2008-06-19 | 2008-12-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-12-19 | 2012-06-19 | 2012-12-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |