Method and system for communicating a data file over a network
DCFirst Claim
1. A method of transmitting a data file from a sender to a recipient, comprising the steps of:
- transmitting said data file to a messaging server over a first communication network by said sender using a sender device;
said messaging server associating said data file with a unique access address;
said messaging server associating said unique access address with a notification message;
said messaging server transmitting said notification message to said recipient over a second communication network, wherein;
said notification message is not sent while the sender is accessing the messaging server and said notification message is queued for later delivery;
said first communication network and said second communication network are disparate networks;
said sender device stores contact information to keep recipient contact information of said sender updated within an address book stored on said messaging server;
said messaging server periodically queries said sender device for detecting changes in said stored contact information; and
said messaging server transmits said notification message to said recipient based on said recipient contact information;
said recipient accessing said unique access address to retrieve said data file;
said messaging server identifying the unique access address used by the recipient; and
said messaging server transmitting said data file corresponding to the unique access address to said recipient.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for forwarding information such as data files to a recipient across disparate or incompatible communication networks, which are not constrained by incompatible user devices. The sender sends information such as a data file to an intended recipient via a messaging server. The messaging server communicates with the intended recipient using basic communication tools that are generally compatible regardless of the network that the recipient is subscribed to. The messaging server stores the information, creates and sends a notification message to the intended recipient that she has information to be retrieved. The notification message includes a unique access address associated with the message, at which the recipient can retrieve the information. Different unique access addresses are associated with different messages.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A method of transmitting a data file from a sender to a recipient, comprising the steps of:
- transmitting said data file to a messaging server over a first communication network by said sender using a sender device;
said messaging server associating said data file with a unique access address;
said messaging server associating said unique access address with a notification message;
said messaging server transmitting said notification message to said recipient over a second communication network, wherein;
said notification message is not sent while the sender is accessing the messaging server and said notification message is queued for later delivery;
said first communication network and said second communication network are disparate networks;
said sender device stores contact information to keep recipient contact information of said sender updated within an address book stored on said messaging server;
said messaging server periodically queries said sender device for detecting changes in said stored contact information; and
said messaging server transmits said notification message to said recipient based on said recipient contact information;
said recipient accessing said unique access address to retrieve said data file;
said messaging server identifying the unique access address used by the recipient; and
said messaging server transmitting said data file corresponding to the unique access address to said recipient. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
- transmitting said data file to a messaging server over a first communication network by said sender using a sender device;
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13. A messaging server for transmitting a data file from a sender device to a recipient device, said messaging server comprising:
- a data receiver receiving said data file from said sender device over a first communication network;
a notification message transmitter associating said data file with a unique access address and associating said unique access address with a notification message, and transmitting said notification message to said recipient device over a second communication network, wherein;
said notification message is not sent while the sender is accessing the messaging server and said notification message is queued for later delivery;
said first communication network and said second communication network are disparate networks;
said sender device comprises a memory device for storing contact information to keep recipient contact information of said sender updated within in an address book stored on said messaging server;
said messaging server periodically querying said sender device for detecting changes in said contact information in said memory device; and
said messaging server transmitting said notification message to said recipient device based on said recipient contact information;
a data file transmitter providing access to a recipient using said unique access address, and transmitting said data file from said messaging server to said recipient device. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15)
- a data receiver receiving said data file from said sender device over a first communication network;
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16. A non-transitory machine-readable storage medium for programming a computer to forward a data file from a sender device to a recipient device, said medium including processor executable instructions comprising:
- a first program module receiving said data file from said sender device over a first communication network;
a second program module associating said data file with a unique access address and associating said unique access address with a notification message, and transmitting said notification message to said recipient device over a second communication network, wherein;
said notification message is not sent while the sender is accessing the messaging server and said notification message is queued for later delivery;
said first communication network and said second communication network are disparate networks;
said sender device comprises a memory device for storing contact information to keep recipient contact information of said sender updated within in an address book stored on said messaging server;
said second program module periodically querying said sender device for detecting changes in said contact information in said memory device; and
said second program module transmitting said notification message to said recipient device based on said recipient contact information;
a data file transmitter module providing access to the recipient using said unique access address, and transmitting said data file from said computer to said recipient device.
- a first program module receiving said data file from said sender device over a first communication network;
Specification