| abstract |
An integrated mail and file transfer (IMFT) system is a web-based data transport system including automatic and authenticated access mechanisms. The integrated mail and file transfer system includes an attachment filter, a message & file control server and data storage. The attachment filter receives emails, and for each email generates a metadata file and one or more content files. The metadata and content files are provided to the message & file control server for storage, indexing and further processing. The message & file control server includes a control module, an account creation module, a user interface module, an access control module, an attachment processing module, and a file store and database interaction module. These modules operate on the message & file control server to provide the functionality for automatically creating user accounts, automatically providing access to file, and automatically storing files and emails. The present invention also includes a number of novel methods including: a method for automatically creating an account and authentication, a method for accessing files via a web based transport system, a method for modifying the access to files, and method for processing emails and storing email bodies and attachments. |