Transfer and management of linked objects over networks
First Claim
1. A method for transferring an email attachment from a first processing system to a second processing system via an intermediary system, the method comprising accepting signals from a user input control coupled to the first processing system to create an email message;
- accepting signals from a user input control coupled to the first processing system to designate an attachment to the email message;
transferring at least one copy of the email message to other computer systems;
storing a master copy of the attachment in the intermediary system; and
ensuring that each copy of the email message includes a link to the master copy of the attachment stored in the intermediary system.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A mater copy of an attachment, such as a document attached to an email message, is maintained at a server. When users desire to modify, forward, resend, etc., the attachment, links to the attachment are provided with an email message. Version and access controls are maintained by the server and specialized client software working with application programs and with the email system. A preferred embodiment of the invention uses a hypertext link to open a web page that allows controlled access to the attachment. A user interface is provided to allow a user to designate how an attachment is handled. The creator of an attachment can set access rights and restrictions for other users and recipients. A status monitor is provided to view conditions and operations related to an attachment. An access interface is provided to allow a recipient of a link to a document to view and otherwise obtain the document and to perform operations on the document.
123 Citations
15 Claims
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1. A method for transferring an email attachment from a first processing system to a second processing system via an intermediary system, the method comprising
accepting signals from a user input control coupled to the first processing system to create an email message; -
accepting signals from a user input control coupled to the first processing system to designate an attachment to the email message;
transferring at least one copy of the email message to other computer systems;
storing a master copy of the attachment in the intermediary system; and
ensuring that each copy of the email message includes a link to the master copy of the attachment stored in the intermediary system. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A computer readable medium including one or more instructions executable by a processor for transferring an email attachment from a first processing system to a second processing system via an intermediary system, the computer readable medium comprising
one or more instructions for accepting signals from a user input control coupled to the first processing system to create an email message; -
one or more instructions for accepting signals from a user input control coupled to the first processing system to designate an attachment to the email message;
one or more instructions for transferring at least one copy of the email message to other computer systems; and
one or more instructions for ensuring that each copy of the email message includes a link to a master copy of the attachment.
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14. A method for transferring linked information from a first processing system to other processing systems, the method comprising
accepting signals from a user input control coupled to the first processing system to create a primary object; -
accepting signals from a user input control coupled to the first processing system to designate an attachment object;
accepting signals from a user input control coupled to the first processing system to associate the attachment object with the primary object;
transferring at least one copy of the primary object to other computer systems; and
ensuring that each copy of the primary object includes a link to a single copy of the attachment object.
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15. A method for creating linked information on a first processing system, the method comprising
accepting signals from a user input control coupled to the first processing system to create a primary object; -
accepting signals from a user input control coupled to the first processing system to create an attachment object;
receiving a signal from a user input control to designate the attachment object as a linked object; and
in response to the step of receiving, embedding a pointer associated with the primary object in the primary object.
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Specification