Transfer server of a secure system for unattended remote file and message transfer

• US 8,122,490 B2
• Filed: 07/27/2009
• Issued: 02/21/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 01/08/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bottomline Technologies Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Bottomline Technologies Incorporated
• Inventors: Campbell, Eric, Hoffman, Robert F, Maloney, Robert Jr., Lemanis, Maris N
• Primary Examiner(s): LEMMA, SAMSON B
• Application Number:
  US12/460,936
• Publication Number:
  US 20090293107A1
• Time in Patent Office: 939 Days
• Field of Search: 726/5, 713/168, 709/219, 709/229
• US Class Current: 726/5
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/04 Billing or invoicing

Abstract

A method for automatically transferring a data file from a network drive of a client controlled local area network to a transfer server over the Internet comprises using a first workstation to configure event parameters within event tables of the transfer server. An unattended interface module executed by a processor of a second workstation obtains, from the transfer server, the event parameters stored in the event tables. The event parameters comprise a file name and a directory path. The file name identifies the data file to be uploaded. The directory path identifies an upload directory of the network drive. The second workstation periodically searches the upload directory and, upon locating a data file in the upload directory with the file name, transfers the data file to the transfer server over a secure connection established with the transfer server over the internet.

Claims

1. A method for automatically transferring a data file from a network drive of a client controlled local area network to a transfer server over the Internet, the method comprising the steps of:

using a first workstation coupled to the client controlled local area network to establish a secure connection over the Internet with the transfer server and configure event parameters within event tables of the transfer server;

storing an unattended interface module on a second workstation coupled to the client controlled local area network, wherein the unattended interface module being executed by a processor of the second workstation to perform the following steps;

obtain, from the transfer server, the event parameters stored in the event tables, the event parameters comprising;

a file name, the file name identifying the name of the data file to be uploaded; and

a directory path, the directory path identifying an upload directory of the network drive of the client controlled local area network;

periodically searching the upload directory and, upon locating a data file in the upload directory with the file name, transferring the data file to the transfer server over a secure connection established with the transfer server over the internet.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step of transferring the data file to the transfer server comprises:

establishing the secure connection to the transfer server over the network;

authenticating the unattended interface module to the transfer server utilizing a ID number and password; and

only transferring the data file to the transfer server if the unattended interface module is authenticated.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step of obtaining the event parameters from the transfer server comprises:

establishing the secure connection to the transfer server over the network;

authenticating the unattended interface module to the transfer server utilizing a ID number and password; and

only obtaining event parameters from the transfer server if the unattended interface module is authenticated.

4. A system for automatically transferring a data file from a network drive of a client controlled local area network to a transfer server over the internet, the system comprising:

a business process system coupled to the client controlled local area network and storing the data file in an upload directory location on the network drive;

a first workstation coupled to the client controlled local area network, establishing a secure connection over the internet with the transfer server, and configuring event parameters within event tables of the transfer server;

a second workstation coupled to the client controlled local area network, the second workstation comprising an unattended interface module adapted to;

obtain, from the transfer server, the event parameters stored in the event tables, the event parameters comprising;

a file name, the file name identifying the name of the data file to be uploaded; and

a directory path, the directory path identifying the upload directory location of the network drive of the client controlled local area network;

periodically searching the upload directory location for the data file stored by the business process system with the identified name of the data file to be uploaded and, upon locating the data file;

establishing a secure connection to the transfer server over the internet; and

transferring the data file to the transfer server over the secure connection.

5. A system as claimed in claim 4, wherein transferring the data file to the transfer server comprises:

establishing the secure connection to the transfer server over the network;

authenticating the unattended interface module to the transfer server utilizing a ID number and password; and

only transferring the data file to the transfer server if the unattended interface module is authenticated.

6. A system as claimed in claim 4, wherein obtaining a loading configuration from the transfer server comprises:

establishing the secure connection to the transfer server over the network;

authenticating the unattended interface module to the transfer server utilizing a ID number and password; and

only obtaining the loading configuration from the transfer server if the unattended interface module is authenticated.