Method and apparatus for delivering documents over an electronic network

• US 6,385,655 B1
• Filed: 10/02/1997
• Issued: 05/07/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 10/24/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Axway Incorporated (Axway Software SA)
• Original Assignee: Tumbleweed Communications Corporation (Axway Software SA)
• Inventors: Smith, Jeffrey C., Bandini, Jean-Christophe, Shoup, Randy
• Primary Examiner(s): Rinehart, Mark H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): WILLETT, STEPHAN F
• Application Number:
  US08/957,986
• Time in Patent Office: 1,678 Days
• Field of Search: 709/219, 709/225, 709/229, 709/232, 709/246, 340/825.5, 340/825.34, 710/36, 710/240, 713/201
• US Class Current: 709/232
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/958 Organisation or management of web site content, e.g. publishing, maintaining pages or automatic linking
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/606 by securing the transmission between two devices or processes
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2107 File encryption
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/107 Computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2463/101 applying security measures for digital rights management data processing systems or methods, specially adapted for commerce, e.g. marketing, shopping, billing, auctions or e-commerce G06Q30/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/224 providing notification on incoming messages, e.g. pushed notifications of received messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/23 Reliability checks, e.g. acknowledgments or fault reporting
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/234 for tracking messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0236 Filtering by address, protocol, port number or service, e.g. IP-address or URL
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/04 for providing a confidential data exchange among entities communicating through data packet networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0428 wherein the data content is protected, e.g. by encrypting or encapsulating the payload
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0435 wherein the sending and receiving network entities apply symmetric encryption, i.e. same key used for encryption and decryption cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for symmetric key encryption H04L9/06
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0823 using certificates cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication involving certificates H04L9/3263
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/083 using passwords cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using a predetermined code H04L9/3226
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/01 Protocols

Abstract

A method and apparatus are provided for securely delivering documents over an electronic network while preserving document formatting. The invention also provides security that restricts access to the system to an authorized user. A document is sent from a sending computer to a dedicated server, using a send client application. The document is specified for delivery within the send client application, or by clicking and dragging the document onto an appropriate window or icon on the sending computer desktop, or is specified from within a document authoring application. A dedicated server stores the document and forwards an electronic notification to a receiving device. The stored document is downloaded from the dedicated server, using a receive client application, in response to the notification. The receive client application permits the recipient to receive, view, print, and/or manipulate the document. The dedicated server is preferably managed by a configuration user interface having an HTML interface for sending, tracking, accessing account information, managing billings, and managing mail distribution lists. The send client application allows a user to specify document delivery parameters. The parameters may be stored for later modification and/or use.

Claims

1. A data file management and delivery apparatus comprising:

a send client application for sending at least one pre-existing data file as a single package from a sending computer according to a network protocol during a session;

a server for receiving said at least one pre-existing data file from the sending computer through said network and for sending a message to a receiving device; and

a receive client application on said receiving device for accessing said at least one pre-existing data file from the server according to said network protocol in response to the message to thereby effect delivery of the package to the recipient.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said receiving device is one of a personal computer, network server device, fax machine, printer, Internet-compatible telephone, Internet access appliance, or personal digital assistant.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said receive client application is a Web browser.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said send client application comprises an application window.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said application window is a Web browser.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein a format of said pre-existing data file can be specified in said send client application.

7. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said application window comprises:

a tool bar for accessing main functions of the send client application;

a package manager for listing all data file activities initiated during said session; and

a menu listing operational commands for said send client application.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said send client application further comprises a package window for specifying parameters which in turn specify a manner in which said package of said at least one pre-existing data file is delivered.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said send client application is accessed via a first icon.

10. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein said send client application further comprises a storage module for configurably storing said parameters, wherein said data file delivery is initiated using said parameters.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein said parameters are accessed via a first icon.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said send client application further comprises

a module for accessing an address book from a supported application on said sending computer,

wherein said data file delivery is initiated using the contents of said address book.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said pre-existing data file is delivered by selecting and dragging said data file onto one of an application window, a package window, an icon representing said send client application, or an icon for accessing said stored data file delivery parameters.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a Configuration User Interface for managing said server.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said configuration user interface comprises an HTML interface for invoking and customizing said server via a Web browser.

16. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said Configuration User Interface comprises:

a sending module for sending said at least one pre-existing data file;

a tracking module for tracking said at least one pre-existing data file;

an account CUI for accessing information associated with a data file delivery account;

a billing module for managing billings for said data file delivery; and

a mail list module for creating and managing mail distribution lists.

17. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said configuration user Interface comprises a configuration user interface application window displayed on a computer desktop.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein said Configuration User Interface application window comprises:

a main tool bar for accessing main functions of said configuration user interface;

a secondary tool bar for accessing functions within said main functions;

a workspace for displaying an interactive interface to an accessed function; and

a menu listing operational commands for said configuration user interface.

19. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a security framework for restricting access to said apparatus, said security framework having at least one security module in at least one of said send client application, said receive client application, and a configuration user interface.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said security framework supports at least one of authentication layers, secure socket layers, password protection, private key encryption, public key encryption, and certificate authentication.

21. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said network is one of the Internet or an intranet system.

22. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said at least one pre-existing data file is sent to a plurality of recipients.

23. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said message is an electronic mail message.

38. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a security framework for restricting access to said data file, said security framework having at least one security module in at least one of said send client application, said receive client application, and a configuration user interface.

39. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein said security framework supports at least one of authentication layers, secure socket layers, password protection, private key encryption, public key encryption, and certificate authentication.

95. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the parameters include a priority with which the package is to be delivered.

96. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the parameters include data specifying an expiration of the package.

97. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the parameters include data requesting a return message confirming receipt by the recipient.

98. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the parameters include data specifying a schedule for notification of the recipient.

99. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the parameters specify a degree of security to be used in delivering the package.

100. The apparatus of claim 8 wherein the parameters specify a billing code associated with the package.

24. A method for data file management and delivery through a network, comprising the steps of:

sending at least one pre-existing data file as a single package from a sending computer to a server according to a network protocol during a session using a send client application;

storing said at least one pre-existing data file from said sending computer on said server;

sending a message to a receiving device from said server; and

downloading said at least one pre-existing data file from said server according to said network protocol using a receive client application on said receiving device, in response to the message to thereby effect delivery of the package to the receiving device.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein said receive client application is operable on one of a personal computer, network server device, fax machine, printer, Internet-compatible telephone, Internet access appliance, or personal digital assistant.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein said receive client application is a Web browser.

27. The method of claim 24, further comprising the step of:

said sending computer desktop displaying an application window with a send client application interface having a tool bar for accessing main functions of said send client application, a package manager for listing all data file activities initiated during said session, and a menu listing operational commands for said send client application.

28. The method of claim 24, further comprising specifying parameters of said data file delivery with a package window in said send client application.

29. The method of claim 24, further comprising the step of:

displaying a first icon for accessing said send client application.

30. The method of claim 28, comprising the step of:

configurably storing, in a storage module, said parameters, wherein said downloading is performed in accordance with said parameters.

31. The method of claim 30, comprising the step of:

displaying a second icon for accessing said parameters.

32. The method of claim 24, further comprising the step of:

providing a security framework for restricting access to said system.

33. The method of claim 24, wherein forwarding an electronic message comprises:

forwarding an electronic message in accordance with contents of an address book of a supported application on said sending computer.

34. The method of claim 24, further comprising the step of:

managing said server via a Web browser.

35. The method of claim 34, further comprising the step of:

displaying a Configuration User Interface application window for managing said server on a computer desktop, said configuration user interface application window having a main tool bar for accessing main functions of said configuration user interface, a secondary tool bar for accessing functions within said main functions, a workspace for displaying an interactive interface to an accessed function, and a menu listing operational commands for said configuration user interface.

36. The method of claim 24, wherein said network is one of the Internet or an intranet system.

37. The method of claim 24 further comprising the step of:

sending said at least one data file to a plurality of recipients.

40. The method of claim 32 wherein said security framework supports at least one of authentication layers, secure socket layers, password protection, private key encryption, public key encryption, and certificate authentication.

41. A method for delivering a package which includes one or more data files, the method comprising:

receiving, from a sender, package data which specify the package and the one or more data files and recipient data specifying one or more intended recipients of the package according to a network protocol; and

sending to each of the one or more intended recipients a message which includes package identification data wherein the package identification data specifies the package of one or more data files and enables retrieval of the package according to the network protocol.

42. The method of claim 41 further comprising:

receiving, from a specific one of the one or more intended recipients, the package identification data; and

in response to receiving the package identification data, sending the one or more data files of the package to the specific intended recipient.

43. The method of claim 41 wherein receiving the package comprises:

sending a form to the sender in which the one or more data files and the one or more intended recipients can be specified by user-generated form data; and

receiving the form data wherein the form data specifies the one or more data files and the one or more intended recipients.

44. The method of claim 43 wherein the form data is hypertext markup language form data.

45. The method of claim 43 wherein the form is a hypertext markup language form.

46. The method of claim 43 wherein the form enables specification of delivery parameter data which specify a manner in which the one or more intended recipients can access the one or more data files.

47. The method of claim 46 wherein the delivery parameter data specify a format in which a selected one of the one or more data files is stored once received from the sender.

48. The method of claim 41 wherein sending the message comprises sending the message using a simple mail transport protocol (SMTP).

49. the method of claim 41 wherein the one or more data files are at least two in number.

50. The method of claim 41 further comprising:

receiving, from the sender, a request for status data regarding delivery of the package; and

in response to the request, sending the status data to the sender.

51. The method of claim 50 wherein the status data identifies at least one of the intended recipients.

52. The method of claim 50 wherein the status data specifies a time at which the message was sent to the one or more intended recipients.

53. The method of claim 52 wherein the time comprises a date.

54. The method of claim 50 wherein the status data specifies a time at which the package was accessed by the one or more intended recipients.

55. The method of claim 54 wherein the time comprises a date.

56. The method of claim 50 wherein the status data specifies whether the package has been accessed by the one or more intended recipients.

57. The method of claim 50 wherein the message has been sent to the one or more intended recipients.

101. The method of claim 41 wherein the one or more intended recipients include at least two intended recipients.

58. A computer readable medium useful in association with a computer which includes a processor and a memory, the computer readable medium including computer instructions which are configured to cause the computer to deliver a package which includes one or more data files by:

receiving from a sender data specifying the package and the one or more data file and data specifying one or more intended recipients of the package according to a network protocol; and

sending to each of the one or more intended recipients a message which includes package identification data wherein the package identification data specifies the package of one or more data files and enables retrieval of the package according to the network protocol.

59. The computer readable medium of claim 58 wherein the computer instructions are configured to cause the computer to deliver the package by also:

receiving, from a specific one of the one or more intended recipients through the network, the package identification data; and

in response to receiving the package identification data, sending the one or more data files of the package to the specific intended recipient through the network.

60. The computer readable medium of claim 58 wherein receiving the package comprises:

sending a form to the sender in which the one or more data files and the one or more intended recipients can be specified by user-generated form data; and

receiving the form data wherein the form data specifies the one or more data files and the one or more intended recipients.

61. The computer readable medium of claim 60 wherein the form data is hypertext markup language form data.

62. The computer readable medium of claim 60 wherein the form is a hypertext markup language form.

63. The computed readable medium of claim 60 wherein the form enables specification of delivery parameter data which specify a manner in which the one or more intended recipients can access the one or more data files.

64. The computer readable medium of claim 63 wherein the delivery parameter data specify a format in which a selected one of the one or more data files are stored once received from the sender.

65. The computer readable medium of claim 58 wherein sending the message comprises sending the message using a simple mail transport protocol (SMTP).

66. The computer readable medium of claim 58 wherein the one or more data files are at least two in number.

67. The computer readable medium of claim 58 wherein the computer instructions are configured to cause the computer to deliver the package by also:

receiving, from the sender, a request for status data regarding delivery of the package; and

in response to the request, sending the status data to the sender.

68. The computer readable medium of claim 67 wherein the status data identifies at least one of the intended recipients.

69. The computer readable medium of claim 67 wherein the status data specifies a time at which the message was sent to the one or more intended recipients.

70. The computer readable medium of claim 69 wherein the time comprises a date.

71. The computer readable medium of claim 67 wherein the status data specifies a time at which the package was accessed by the one or more intended recipients.

72. The computer readable medium of claim 71 wherein the time comprises a date.

73. The computer readable medium of claim 67 wherein the status data specifies whether the package has been accessed by the one or more intended recipients.

74. The computer readable medium of claim 67 wherein the message has been sent to the one or more intended recipients.

102. The computer readable medium of claim 58 wherein the one or more intended recipients include at least two intended recipients.

75. A computer system comprising:

a processor;

a memory operatively coupled to the processor; and

a package delivery module (i) which executes in the processor from the memory and (ii) which, when executed by the processor, causes the computer to deliver a package which includes one or more data files by;

receiving from a sender data specifying the package and the one or more data file and data specifying one or more intended recipients of the package according to a network protocol; and

sending to each of the one or more intended recipients a message which includes package identification data wherein the package identification data specifies the package of one or more data files and enables retrieval of the package according to the network protocol.

76. The computer system of claim 75 wherein the package delivery module is configured to cause the computer to deliver the package by also:

receiving, from a specific one of the one or more intended recipients through the network, the package identification data; and

in response to receiving the package identification data, sending the one or more data files of the package to the specific intended recipient through the network.

77. The computer system of claim 75 wherein receiving the package comprises:

sending a form to the sender in which the one or more data files and the one or more intended recipients can be specified by user-generated form data; and

receiving the form data wherein the form data specifies the one or more data files and the one or more intended recipients.

78. The computer system of claim 77 wherein the form data is hypertext markup language form data.

79. The computer system of claim 77 wherein the form is a hypertext markup language form.

80. The computer system of claim 77 wherein the form enables specification of delivery parameter data which specify a manner in which the one or more intended recipients can access the one or more data files.

81. The computer system of claim 80 wherein the delivery parameter data specify a format in which a selected one of the one or more data files is stored once received from the sender.

82. The computer system of claim 75 wherein sending the message comprises sending the message using a simple mail transport protocol (SMTP).

83. The computer system of claim 75 wherein the one or more data files are at least two in number.

84. The computer system of claim 75 wherein the package delivery module is configured to cause the computer to deliver the package by also:

receiving, from the sender, a request for status data regarding delivery of the package; and

in response to the request, sending the status data to the sender.

85. The computer system of claim 84 wherein the status data identifies at least one of the intended recipients.

86. The computer system of claim 84 wherein the status data specifies a time at which the message was sent to the one or more intended recipients.

87. The computer system of claim 86 wherein the time comprises a date.

88. The computer system of claim 84 wherein the status data specifies a time at which the package was accessed by the one or more intended recipients.

89. The computer system of claim 88 wherein the time comprises a date.

90. The computer system of claim 84 wherein the status data specifies whether the package has been accessed by the one or more intended recipients.

91. The computer system of claim 84 wherein the message has been sent to the one or more intended recipients.

103. The computer system of claim 75 wherein the one or more intended recipients include at least two intended recipients.

92. A method for delivering a package which includes one or more data files, the method comprising:

receiving user-generated data specifying the one or more data files;

receiving user-generated data specifying one or more intended recipients of the package;

receiving user-generated data specifying a destination format for at least a selected one of the one or more data files;

converting the at least one selected data file from a native format to the destination format; and

providing, to the one or more intended recipients, access to the one or more data files which include the at least one selected data file in the destination format.

93. A computer readable medium useful in association with a computer which includes a processor and a memory, the computer readable medium including computer instructions which are configured to cause the computer to deliver a package which includes one or more data files by:

receiving user-generated data specifying the one or more data files;

receiving user-generated data specifying one or more intended recipients of the package;

receiving user-generated data specifying a destination format for at least a selected one of the one or more data files;

converting the at least one selected data file from a native format to the destination format; and

providing, to the one or more intended recipients, access to the one or more data files which include the at least one selected data file in the destination format.

94. A computer system comprising:

a processor;

a memory operatively coupled to the processor; and

a package delivery module (i) which executes in the processor from the memory and (ii) which, when executed by the processor, causes the computer to delivering a package which includes one or more data files by;

receiving user-generated data specifying the one or more data files;

receiving user-generated data specifying one or more intended recipients of the package;

receiving user-generated data specifying a destination format for at least a selected one of the one or more data files;

converting the at least one selected data file from a native format to the destination format; and

providing, to the one or more intended recipients, access to the one or more data files which include the at least one selected data file in the destination format.