Facilitating the sending of mail from a restricted communications network
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of sending mail, said method comprising:
- providing a communications network wherein all ports used thereby for outgoing mail are closed;
accumulating outgoing mail by the communications network into a data structure;
automatically requesting outgoing mail periodically by a communications unit external to the communications network over an open port in the communications network;
verifying the communications unit and checking the data structure for outgoing mail by the communications network in response to an outgoing mail request from the communications unit;
transferring the outgoing mail from the data structure to the communications unit through one or more ports of the communications network other than the closed outgoing mail ports; and
delivering the outgoing mail to the one or more intended recipients.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The sending of mail from a restricted communications network is facilitated. A communications unit external to the restricted communications network periodically pulls the mail from the restricted communications network and forwards the mail to a receiver. The receiver may be the intended recipient of the mail or an intermediary used to further send the mail to the intended recipient.
55 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A method of sending mail, said method comprising:
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providing a communications network wherein all ports used thereby for outgoing mail are closed; accumulating outgoing mail by the communications network into a data structure; automatically requesting outgoing mail periodically by a communications unit external to the communications network over an open port in the communications network; verifying the communications unit and checking the data structure for outgoing mail by the communications network in response to an outgoing mail request from the communications unit; transferring the outgoing mail from the data structure to the communications unit through one or more ports of the communications network other than the closed outgoing mail ports; and delivering the outgoing mail to the one or more intended recipients. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification