Patent ID: 6430598
Filing Date: 2002-08-06
Classification: G06F,H04L

Abstract:
A method of reliably deleting requested messages from an electronic mail server system operating within a client/server network having at least one client connected to a server, the method comprising the steps of:storing messages in a message store in said server, wherein said server operates independently of a communication protocol utilized by said client/server network; recording a list of said requested messages transmitted from said server to said client; inferring reception of said requested messages transmitted utilizing a communication protocol which lacks an explicit delete acknowledgment by: searching for an acknowledgment from a second communication protocol which is associated with said requested messages, and inferring reception of said requested messages if said acknowledgment is found; and in response to inferring reception of said requested messages, retrieving said list of said requested messages and automatically deleting said requested messages referenced in said retrieved list, such that said requested messages transmitted utilizing a communication protocol which does not provide an explicit delete acknowledgment may be automatically deleted from said server.