Method for sending e-mail messages in a local area network,...

Details Method for sending e-mail messages in a local area network,... Method for sending e-mail messages in a local area network,...

1998-07-27

2001-04-17

Najjar, Saleh (Department: 2758)

Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput

Computer-to-computer data routing

C709S206000, C709S232000, C709S242000, C709S246000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06219714

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to methods and apparatuses for transmitting electronic mail messages, more concretely, it relates to a method and apparatus for transmitting electronic mail messages in a local network in which variable coupling of internetwork channels is carried out using information on the dynamic routing of messages being transmitted.
BACKGROUND ART
A traditionally known communication system for facsimile apparatuses is shown in
FIG. 1
, where reference numeral
1
designates a network of a Message Handling System (MHS) at the transmission end, reference numeral
2
designates a Packet Switching Data Network (PSDN), reference numeral
3
designates a Message Handling System at the receiving end, reference numeral
4
designates a Switched Public Service Telephone Network (PSTN) and reference numeral
5
designates a facsimile apparatus (telefax).
The communication system for facsimile apparatuses transmits electronic mail messages through the PSDN network
2
by displaying the fax number and electronic mail address using information
6
on a directory and converts the electronic mail message into the format of a facsimile message at the final destination point, thus realizing automatic transmission of messages over facsimile communications and reducing expenditures on carrying out communication.
At the transmission end
1
a user reads or writes a message meant to be transmitted, using a corresponding reading apparatus, for example a scanner
7
which is connected to user computers
8
and
9
. The written message is converted into a message format for electronic mail and is transmitted along MIHS network channels at the transmitting end. When the converted electronic mail message reaches handling machinery
10
realizing the electronic mail mode, directory control apparatus
11
receives an enquiry on the address of the electronic mail corresponding to the fax number. The directory control apparatus
11
carries out a search for a corresponding address of electronic mail among the information of the directories using the fax number, and then the found address of electronic mail is sent to the handling machine
10
. The handling machine
10
, realizing the electronic mail mode, sends the converted electronic mail message through the PSDN network
2
using the electronic mail address.
Then in the MHS network at the receiving end
3
, a handling machine
12
, realizing the electronic mail mode at the receiving end, receives the electronic mail document and carries out a search in the field of requested delivery method. If the priority of delivery by facsimile communication is the highest, then the electronic mail message is transmitted to channel
13
, which performs the functions of transmitting and receiving facsimile messages, and then is converted into a facsimile message. In this case, a message converted into a facsimile message is sent to the facsimile apparatus
5
, which is the destination point (information addressee), through Switched Public Service Telephone Network
4
using the field of fax number.
Reference numerals
14
and
15
designate user personal computers at the receiving end.
In the described known system for communication of facsimile apparatuses, the use of a specialized directory control apparatus
11
increases expenditures on additional installation. If the characteristics of groups of resources controlled by a corresponding server or the configuration of the network often changes, then it cana turn out that information on a directory which is controlled by the directory control apparatus
11
does not coincide with the information for a real directory in a real time scale. Furthermore, problems may arise if the handling machine
12
, realizing the electronic mail mode and selected using information on a directory, breaks down.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the foregoing, the object of the present invention is to create a method and apparatus for transmitting electronic mail messages which ensure enhancement of the reliability of transmitting messages by providing service with the required type of electronic mail without using a specialized device to control the directories.
This object is achieved in a method for transmitting electronic mail in a local network, wherein forming a message and transmitting a formed message to a network unit is carried out in accordance with the message address in the electronic mail mode, in that in accordance with the invention, information on the type of electronic mail is introduced during the forming of the message, a routing table is formed and stored in each network unit, the routing table including an identifier of a network unit providing service, type of electronic mail service, evaluation of access to the network unit and access to the service, and information on the state of the network unit, during transmission of said message the network unit providing the required type of service is determined using the formed routing table and taking the degree of access to said network unit into account, a message is transmitted to a selected network unit in the electronic mail mode, the message received by said network unit using the address of the addressee of the received electronic mail is processed in accordance with the required type of service.
Wherein, it is preferable that when the configuration of the network or the type of service in any of the network units or its state is changed, changes in the routing table in each of the network units be carried out in real time.
The routing table is preferably formed on the basis of service messages periodically sent by each network unit with indication of the characteristics of this particular network unit, among them data on the accessibility of the type of service provided thereby.
Wherein, evaluation of the accessibility of the network unit may be obtained by statistically processing the stream of incoming service messages.
The aforesaid result is also achieved in an apparatus for transmitting electronic mail in a local network, the apparatus comprising a plurality of units of a local network, each of which comprising means for forming and transmitting an electronic mail message comprising information on at least the address of reception and the type of service for the electronic mail, means for routing the messages and a communication unit for coupling a corresponding unit of a local network with other units thereof, in that in accordance with the invention, each network unit comprises a queue dispatcher, an information input of which is an input for input of the message being transmitted, and an information output is connected to an input of a communication module, and the routing means includes therein means for forming a routing table comprising an identifier of a corresponding network unit, type of service provided for the electronic mail, evaluation of accessibility of a network unit and accessibility of service and information on its state, and also a unit for determining a message transmission route which is coupled bilaterally with means for forming a routing table, wherein an output for output of information on the type of service for the electronic mail and an input for input of information on identification of the network unit queue dispatcher are connected to corresponding input and output of the unit for determining a message transmission route.
Wherein, it is preferable that a unit for controlling the formation of a routing table be additionally introduced, an input of which is connected to an output for issuance of commands requesting changes in the communication unit, the output—to the control input of the unit for determining a message transmission route.
What is meant by the term “message” used in the application materials is a combination of user information (content) and service information (address and other attributes), having material embodiment in the form of a record by means of storage means (storage disks, memory cells), and electrical signals as means for moving the messages in t

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Method for sending e-mail messages in a local area network,... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Method for sending e-mail messages in a local area network,..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method for sending e-mail messages in a local area network,... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2484634