Methods and systems for email integrated file delivery

Abstract

Methods and systems consistent with the present invention provide a file delivery system for transmitting files to recipients using email, which may be used with existing email infrastructure. Email clients may “attach” files to an email by an attachment process. The attachment process, however, associates a placeholder with the email instead of the actual file. The placeholder is replaced with a URL link to the file and the email is sent. The system moves the attachments over the network to a remote server that is capable of delivering the attachments to the email recipients. File attachments are routed to recipients independent of the associated email.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method comprising:
 transferring, from a first client device, at least one data file to a server to be stored by a storage device communicatively coupled to the server;   generating a notification for sharing of the at least one data file, wherein the generated notification includes a placeholder;   replacing the placeholder in the generated notification with a link to retrieve the at least one data file from the storage device communicatively coupled to the server;   transmitting, by the server, the notification with the link to a second client device to retrieve the at least one data file from the storage device communicatively coupled to the server; and   retrieving, by the second client device, the at least one data file from the storage device communicatively coupled to the server based on the received link in the notification.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 authenticating, by the server, a first user of the first client device.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , further comprising:
 authorizing, by the server, the first user of the first client device to provide at least one data file to the server to be shared.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 authenticating, by the server, a second user associated with the second client device.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 24 , further comprising:
 authorizing, by the server, the second user of the second client device to receive the notification including the link.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 generating, at the server, the placeholder when a size of the at least one data file to be shared is larger than a preset size.   
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising:
 generating, at the server, metadata that is descriptive of the notification and the at least one data file; and   generating, at the server, a meta-file based on the generated metadata, wherein the meta-file includes the at least one data file and the metadata.   
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27 , further comprising:
 assigning, at the server, a unique identifier to the meta-file, wherein the unique identifier is associated with the at least one data file for tracking purposes.   
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 27 , wherein the metadata includes information to control, by the server, at least one from the group consisting of: replication, transmission, access, and lifecycle management of the at least one data file. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the retrieving further comprising:
 receiving, by the second client device, the notification including the link;   receiving, by the second client device, a selection of the link;   locating, at the storage device communicatively coupled to the server, the at least one data file corresponding to the received link; and   transmitting, at the server, the located at least one data file to the second client device.   
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30 , further comprising:
 receiving, at the server, an authorization key from the second client device; and   transmitting, at the server, the located at least one data file to the second client device based on the receipt of the authorization key.   
     
     
         32 . A system comprising:
 a server that is communicatively coupled to a storage device; and   a first client device and a second client device, wherein the first client device transfers at least one data file to the server to be stored by the storage device that is communicatively coupled to the server,   wherein the server generates a notification for sharing of the at least one data file, with the generated notification including a placeholder, replaces the placeholder in the generated notification with a link to retrieve the at least one data file from the storage device communicatively coupled to the server, and transmits the notification with the link to the second client device to retrieve the at least one data file from the storage device communicatively coupled to the server, and   wherein the second client device retrieves the at least one data file from the storage device communicatively coupled to the server based on the received link in the notification.   
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein the server authenticates a first user of the first client device. 
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 33 , wherein the server authorizes the first user of the first client device to provide at least one data file to the server to be shared. 
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein the server authenticates a second user associated with the second client device. 
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 35 , wherein the server authorizes the second user of the second client device to receive the notification including the link. 
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein the server generating the placeholder when a size of the at least one data file to be shared is larger than a preset size. 
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein the server generates metadata that is descriptive of the notification and the at least one data file, and generates a meta-file based on the generated metadata, wherein the meta-file includes the at least one data file and the metadata. 
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 38 , wherein the server assigns a unique identifier to the meta-file, wherein the unique identifier is associated with the at least one data file for tracking purposes. 
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 38 , wherein the metadata includes information to control, by the server, at least one from the group consisting of: replication, transmission, access, and lifecycle management of the at least one data file. 
     
     
         41 . The system of  claim 32 , wherein the second client device receives the notification including the link and receives a selection of the link,
 wherein the server locates the at least one data file corresponding to the received link at the storage device communicatively coupled to the server, and   wherein the server transmits the located at least one data file to the second client device.   
     
     
         42 . The system of  claim 41 , wherein the server receives an authorization key from the second client device and transmits the located at least one data file to the second client device based on the receipt of the authorization key.