Patent · US Expired

Method to import/export or detach/attach a file to/from a remote mail server

US7133897B1 · kind B1 · utility

28Cited by
14References
27Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateNov 18, 1999
Grant dateNov 7, 2006
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 11, 2021

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH04L51/222
  • WIPO fieldDigital communication
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A computer-implemented method for importing/attaching or exporting/detaching a file during a given e-mail operation. From a user's perspective, the method begins when the user elects to perform the import/attach or export/detach function with respect to a given file. If the file resides locally, the operation proceeds as usual by carrying out the function as if the file is on the local system and resides in a known place. If, however, the file does not reside locally, a panel or other user interface is displayed. Using this panel, the user may then attempt to log into a remote system on which the file is supported. Thus, for example, the user interface may require the user to enter a userid, password, hostname, or some combination thereof. If the user login is successful, the routine gets or puts the file (e.g., using an FTP operation) as required, preferably as a background process. Upon completion of the file transfer, the routine then automatically completes the import/attach or export/detach function as if the file is on the local system and resides in the known location.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.