Routing of electronic messages using a routing map and a stateful script engine

• US 6,643,705 B1
• Filed: 03/29/1999
• Issued: 11/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Ambler, Christopher J., Wallace, Andrew J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Harrell, Robert B.
• Assistant Examiner(s): VU, THONG H
• Application Number:
  US09/280,919
• Time in Patent Office: 1,681 Days
• Field of Search: 709/200-206, 709/217, 709/219, 709/230, 709/236, 709/238, 709/240, 709/241, 709/220, 709/250, 709/317, 707/100, 707/200, 379/118, 379/219, 379/221, 370/351, 370/94, 370/401, 370/339, 340/572
• US Class Current: 709/240
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/18 Commands or executable codes
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/214 using selective forwarding
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/48 Message addressing, e.g. address format or anonymous messages, aliases

Abstract

The present invention enables an electronic message to be distributed sequentially to selected recipients. The electronic message is associated with a routing map, which defines the route of the electronic message. The routing map includes a list of operations, at least some of which are implemented in script. A routing engine controls the current state and the state transition of the routing map while predefined routing objects assist in the manipulation and processing of the routing map. Routing maps are associated with folders and any electronic message dropped in the folder is associated with the routing map. The operations of the routing map are executed in a stateful manner in response to events occurring in the messaging system until the electronic message has been sequentially distributed to the intended recipients.

Claims

1. In a server system included in a messaging system, wherein the messaging system further includes a plurality of client systems and wherein the server system has an event service generating events in response to activity of the messaging system, a computer readable medium having computer-executable components comprising:

a plurality of electronic messaging folders, wherein each electronic messaging folder contains a routing map, the routing map having routing logic defining a route by which an electronic message can be sequentially distributed to two or more recipients in series, one after the other in a designated order;

an executable script stored on the server system, wherein the executable script is associated with the routing map and stored separately from the routing map; and

a routing engine configured on a per folder basis, the routing engine being capable of controlling the execution of the routing logic of each routing map in each folder in response to events generated by the event service, whereby the routing logic, when executed, sequentially distributes the electronic message to the two or more recipients in series, one after the other in the designated order.

2. A computer-readable medium as defined in claim 1, wherein the computer-executable components further comprise a set of routing objects that assist the routing engine in the execution of the routing logic.

3. A computer-readable medium as defined in claim 1, wherein the computer readable medium further has computer-executable instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a computing system, cause the computing system to detect a designation of the two or more recipients of the electronic message.

4. A computer-readable medium as defined in claim 1, wherein the computer readable medium further has computer-executable instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a computing system, cause the computing system to receive user input that results in composing the executable script.

5. A computer-readable medium as defined in claim 1, wherein the computer readable medium further has computer-executable instructions that, when executed by one or more processors of a computing system, cause the computing system to access the executable script.

6. A computer-readable medium as defined in claim 1, wherein the routing map comprises a plurality of entries, each representing a state at which a process of routing the message can reside, each of the entries referencing one of a series of operations.

7. A computer-readable medium as defined in claim 1, wherein the routing map comprises a plurality of entries, wherein each of the entries includes:

a first data field containing an operation identifier that uniquely identifies the particular entry;

a second data field containing data representing one of a series of operations; and

a third data field containing an argument, wherein;

if said one of the series of operations is to be performed by the executable script, the argument is passed to the executable script when the routing map is executed; and

if said one of the series of operations is to be performed by the routing engine, the argument is passed to the routing engine when the routing map is executed.

8. A computer-readable medium as defined in claim 1, wherein the computer readable medium further has program code means for selecting a sequence of the two or more recipients who are to receive the electronic message in series, one after the other in the designated order.

9. A computer-readable medium as defined in claim 1, wherein the computer readable medium further has program code means for sequentially distributing the electronic message in series, one after the other in the designated order.

10. A computer-readable medium as defined in claim 1, wherein the computer readable medium further has program code means for managing state transitions of the routing map.