End user transparent email attachment handling to overcome size and attachment policy barriers

• US 20080281924A1
• Filed: 05/08/2007
• Published: 11/13/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/08/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: TeleCommunication Systems Inc (Comtech Telecommunications Corporation)
• Original Assignee: TeleCommunication Systems Inc (Comtech Telecommunications Corporation)
• Inventors: Gadwale, Adithya
• Granted Patent: US 9,519,888 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/206
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/107 Computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/00 User-to-user messaging in packet-switching networks, transmitted according to store-and-forward or real-time protocols, e.g. e-mail
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/08 Annexed information, e.g. attachments
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/216 Handling conversation history, e.g. grouping of messages in sessions or threads
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/56 Unified messaging, e.g. interactions between e-mail, instant messaging or converged IP messaging [CPM]

Abstract

Email server side or client side components either remove email attachments from the relevant email, or identify the attachment while the email is being composed and makes the attachment available from a secure website or file hosting site. The recipient then receives instructions in the email and links to access the attachments rather than the attachments themselves. Email attachment size limitations are overcome for sender/recipient mail systems. Also, file type limitations related to email attachments are overcome, provides improved attachment security, and reduces email bandwidth costs.

Claims

1. A method of automatically removing an email file attachment, comprising:

detecting a file attachment to an email;

removing said file attachment from said email;

moving said removed file attachment to a download server;

inserting a link to said removed file into said email; and

routing said email to a recipient.

2. The method of automatically removing an email file attachment according to claim 1, wherein:

said download server is accessible by said recipient via an Internet.

3. The method of automatically removing an email file attachment according to claim 1, wherein:

said removing said file attachment occurs based on at least one file-related parameter.

4. The method of automatically removing an email file attachment according to claim 3, wherein:

said file-related parameter is a file size.

5. The method of automatically removing an email file attachment according to claim 3, wherein:

said file-related parameter is a file type.

6. The method of automatically removing an email file attachment according to claim 1, further comprising:

receiving said email before said removing said file attachment.

7. The method of automatically removing an email file attachment according to claim 1, further comprising:

removing said file attachment before receiving said email.

8. The method of automatically removing an email file attachment according to claim 1, wherein:

said removed file attachment is moved to said download server over the Internet.

9. Apparatus for automatically removing an email file attachment, comprising:

means for detecting a file attachment to an email;

means for removing said file attachment from said email;

means for moving said removed file attachment to a download server;

means for inserting a link to said removed file into said email; and

means for routing said email to a recipient.

10. The apparatus for automatically removing an email file attachment according to claim 9, wherein:

said download server is accessible by said recipient via an Internet.

11. The apparatus for automatically removing an email file attachment according to claim 9, wherein:

said removing said file attachment occurs based on at least one file-related parameter.

12. The apparatus for automatically removing an email file attachment according to claim 11, wherein:

said file-related parameter is a file size.

13. The apparatus for automatically removing an email file attachment according to claim 11, wherein:

said file-related parameter is a file type.

14. The apparatus for automatically removing an email file attachment according to claim 9, further comprising:

means for receiving said email before said removing said file attachment.

15. The apparatus for automatically removing an email file attachment according to claim 9, further comprising:

means for removing said file attachment before receiving said email.

16. The apparatus for automatically removing an email file attachment according to claim 9, wherein:

said removed file attachment is moved to said download server over the Internet.