Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput – Computer conferencing – Demand based messaging
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-09
2001-02-06
Coulter, Kenneth R. (Department: 2758)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput
Computer conferencing
Demand based messaging
Reexamination Certificate
active
06185606
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates generally to electronic communications across firewalls or poorly-connected computer networks.
2. Description of the Related Art
Enterprise messaging requirements are evolving beyond traditional store-and-forward e-mail to integrate with the Web-based “browsing” model of corporate intranets. Moreover, existing messaging infrastructure is being extended beyond the enterprise to business partners, customers and suppliers. This requirement, however, conflicts with the enterprise's need to secure its network and information. This security is traditionally accomplished using a firewall.
Traditional client-server communication systems require a point-to-point network connection, such as TCP/IP or token ring, between the two parties to a network communication. If one of the parties is behind a network firewall, or if the two parties do not share a common point-to-point protocol, then a connection cannot be made. A similar problem also exists when two parties have a poor network connection.
The present invention addresses this problem.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is a primary object of this invention to implement an adaptive messaging system that enables machines separated by firewalls and poorly-connected networks to communicate effectively.
It is another primary object of this invention to use an e-mail communication as a means to encapsulate and deliver a message that has otherwise been undeliverable through a firewall.
It is still another object of this invention to enable a given messaging system operable between a pair of machines to have the appearance of a “point-to-point” connection even though the actual connection is effected using an alternative method, such as a set of one or more encapsulated e-mail messages.
A more specific object of this invention is to enable a user machine and a server machine separated by a firewall to communicate with each other using an asymmetric pair of connections: a point-to-point connection for a message originating at the user message, and an e-mail communication for a message originating at the server machine.
According to one embodiment of this invention, an electronic communications method is provided between first and second entities over a computer network having an e-mail subsystem. An entity is a machine, or an application, process or routine running on a machine. it is assumed that the first entity (e.g., a server) desires to send a given communication to the second entity (e.g., a client). The method begins upon a connection request from the first entity to the second entity to determine whether a connection can be established between the first and second entities using a first connection preference. For example, the first connection preference is a point-to-point connection protocol. If the connection cannot be established using the first connection preference, a connection to the e-mail subsystem is then opened. The given communication is then encapsulated in an e-mail message. The e-mail message, together with the encapsulated communication, is then transmitted from the first entity to the second entity. The second entity may then respond to the communication, for example, using the first connection preference. In an illustrative embodiment, the first entity is a server and the second entity is an user machine located behind a firewall.
There may be several different reasons why the connection cannot be established between the first and second entities using the first connection preference. Thus, as noted above, one of the entities (i.e. the client) may be located behind a firewall or other security mechanism. Alternatively, the connection between the first and second entities may be poor and unable to support the connection preference specified. In either case, however, the given communication is still transmitted (using the existing e-mail subsystem) at least in one direction. As e-mail communication is typically permitted across a firewall (and/or otherwise possible even in poor network conditions), the first and second entities are thereby able to communicate as if the impediment does not exist.
Generalizing, according to the present invention, the messaging protocol “adapts” to the best connection method available (which may only be e-mail) when a given connection preference cannot be met.
The foregoing has outlined some of the more pertinent objects and features of the present invention. These objects should be construed to be merely illustrative of some of the more prominent features and applications of the invention. Many other beneficial results can be attained by applying the disclosed invention in a different manner or modifying the invention as will be described. Accordingly, other objects and a fuller understanding of the invention may be had by referring to the following Detailed Description.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5781901 (1998-07-01), Kuzma
patent: 5805298 (1998-09-01), Ho et al.
patent: 5974449 (1999-10-01), Chang et al.
patent: 6081832 (2000-06-01), Gilchrist et al.
patent: 6105056 (1998-07-01), Gilchrist et al.
Coulter Kenneth R.
Motive Communications, Inc.
Skjerven Morrill & MacPherson LLP
Terrile Stephen A.
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