Patent ID: 7065547

Claim:
An integrated on-line system with an enhanced data transfer protocol for transferring data on a TCP/IP network, comprising at least one computer configured as a data transfer server connected to the network, the data transfer server having: (a) a web server means for providing a plurality of clients with a browser-based interface with said data transfer server; (b) a relational database, said web server communicating with the database for retrieving and recording information, said database having means for establishing and maintaining an electronic mailbox for a plurality of clients; and (c) a data transfer protocol means for providing a socket to socket connection with a client for the transfer of data according to an enhanced data transfer protocol, said protocol means having: (i) means for receiving data from a first client and a request to forward the data to a second client; (ii) means for immediately transferring the data to the second client when the second client is connected to said data transfer server by a socket when the data is received by said data transfer server; (iii) means for storing the data in an electronic mailbox when the second client is not connected to said data transfer server when the data is received by said data transfer server; and (iv) means for recording the receipt and transfer of data in said relational database.