Multihop distribution lists
US5563881A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 13, 1995 |
| Grant date | Oct 8, 1996 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 13, 2015 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L51/48
- WIPO fieldDigital communication
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Method and apparatus for use in a network of store and forward messaging system sites which avoid infinite loops while providing user access to distribution lists in the network, the members of which distribution lists are users and distribution lists located at other network sites. In accordance with the present invention, a data field is added to data transmited with a message from site to site in the network. This data field provides information which identifies sites in the network that the message has "visited." Upon creation of a message, the field is empty. Then, as the message is transmitted from a transmitting site to a receiving site, identification of the transmitting site is added to the field. Whenever a message arrives at a site, and an examination of the data field shows that the message has already been at that site, the message is not transmitted to remote sites; i.e., only local addressees receive the message. Alternatively, identification of the receiving site is added to the field, and the message is not transmitted from one site to any other site whose identification is included in the field.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.