Method and apparatus for message handling in computer systems

In a data processing network composed of a plurality of data processing systems each of which comprising a processor and a memory, the memory of at least one data processing system a plurality of message server programs each dedicated to provide messaging services of a particular media type, a method for controlling delivery of messages of a plurality of media types to a recipient so that all messages regardless of media type are available to the recipient at a terminal associated with any of the message servers, the method comprising the steps of:

• creating and storing a first message and a first message pointer of a first media type at a first message server program;
• creating and storing a second message and a second message pointer of a second media type at a second message server program;
• sending and storing a copy of the first message pointer to a first integrated mail basket for the recipient, the first integrated mail basket accessed by the first message server program;
• sending and storing a copy of the second message pointer to a second integrated mail basket for the recipient, the second integrated mail basket accessed by the second message server program;
• sending and storing a copy of the first message pointer to the second integrated mail basket;
• sending and storing a copy of the second message pointer to the first integrated mail basket;
• so that the first and second integrated mail baskets allow access to the first and second messages from a terminal associated with either message server program.

A data processing network for controlling delivery of messages of a plurality of media types to a recipient comprising:

• a first data processing system having a processor and a memory coupled to a network bus, the memory containing a first message server program for creating and storing a first message and a first message pointer of a first media type;
• a terminal coupled to and associated with the first data processing system for accessing a message of the first media type;
• a second data processing system having a processor and a memory coupled to the network bus, the memory containing a second message server for creating and storing a second message and a second message pointer of a second media type;
• a terminal coupled to and associated with the second data processing system for accessing a message of the second media type;
• the first and second message server programs respectively comprising first and second integrated mail baskets for storing message pointers for the recipient and respectively comprising first and second shadowing means for sending copies of message pointers to all integrated mail baskets in the network belonging to the recipient;
• sending and synchronizing means coupled to the first and second message server programs for sending messages and message pointers and for synchronizing the recipients integrated mail baskets so that copies of the same message pointers are contained in each integrated mail basket;
• so that the first and second integrated mail baskets allow access to the first and second messages from a terminal associated with either data processing system.

A data processing system for inclusion in a data processing network for controlling delivery of messages of a plurality of media types to a recipient, the system comprising:

• a processor coupled to a system bus;
• a memory coupled to the system bus containing code modules which contain instructions control the creation, delivery and storage of messages and message pointers within the system and the network, the code modules comprising:
• a first message server program for creating, delivering and storing a first message and a first message pointer of a first media type;
• a first message store for storing messages of the first media type;
• a first message pointer store for storing message pointers of a plurality of media types;
• a plurality of integrated mail baskets in the first message pointer store, each integrated mail basket for storing message pointers of a particular recipient;
• a media extension for handling message pointers of a second media type and for sending copies of message pointers of the first media type to a second plurality of integrated mail baskets in a second message store in the network;
• an integrated messaging server program for delivering messages and message pointers between the first message server program and the network and for synchronizing a message pointer count between the first and second integrated mail baskets;
• so that a terminal coupled to the system can access messages of a plurality of media types from the message pointers stored in the first message pointer store.

A data processing system for inclusion in a data processing network for controlling delivery of messages of a plurality of media types to a recipient, the system comprising:

• a processor coupled to a system bus;
• a memory coupled to the system bus containing code modules which contain instruction control the creation, delivery and storage of messages and message pointers within the system and the network;
• a first message server program in the memory for creating, delivery and storing a first message and a first message pointer of a first media type;
• a first message storage means for storing messages of the first media type;
• a first message pointer storage means for storing message pointers of a plurality of media types, the first message pointer storage means containing a plurality of integrated mail baskets, each integrated mail basket for storing message pointers of a particular recipient;
• a media extension for handling message pointers of a second media type and for sending copies of message pointers of the first media type to a second plurality of integrated mail baskets in a second message storage means in the network;
• a sending and synchronizing means for delivering messages and message pointers between the first message server program and the network and for synchronizing a message pointer count between the first and second integrated mail baskets;
• so that a terminal coupled to the system can access messages of a plurality of media types from the message pointers stored in the first message pointer storage means.

A plurality of code modules for inclusion in a memory in a data processing network for controlling delivery of messages of a plurality of media types to a recipient, the code modules comprising:

• a first message server program for creating, delivering and storing a first message and a first message pointer of a first media type;
• a first message store for storing messages of the first media type;
• a first message pointer store for storing message pointers of a plurality of media types;
• a plurality of integrated mail baskets in the first message pointer store, each integrated mail basket for storing message pointers of a particular recipient;
• a media extension for handling message pointers of a second media type and for sending copies of message pointers of the first media type to a second plurality of integrated mail baskets in a second message store in the network;
• an integrated messaging server program for delivering messages and message pointers between the first message server program and the network and for synchronizing a message pointer count between the first and second integrated mail baskets;
• so that a terminal coupled to the network can access messages of a plurality of media types from the message pointers stored in the first message pointer store.