Private, trackable URLs for directed document delivery

Abstract

A document delivery architecture dynamically generates a private Uniform Resource Locator (URL) to distribute information. Each private URL (“PURL”) uniquely identifies an intended recipient of a document, the document or set of documents to be delivered, and (optionally) other parameters specific to the delivery process. The intended recipient of a document uses the PURL to retrieve the document. The server, upon retrieval of the document, customizes the behavior of the retrieval based upon attributes included in the PURL, as well as log information associated with the retrieval in a data base. This architecture and usage of PURLs enables secure document delivery and tracking of document receipt.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . An apparatus for delivering one or more data files between a sending computer and a receiving computer, the apparatus comprising: 
 a server interposed between said sending computer and said receiving computer, wherein when said server is configured to receive said data files from said sending computer and said server is further configured to, in response to receipt of said data files, store said data files, generate a private Uniform Resource Locator (“PURL”) which enables identification of said data files and of one or more intended recipients, and provide said PURL to one or more intended recipients of said electronic document.    
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said PURL identifies one or more parameters which specify a manner which delivery of said data files is to be accomplished.  
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said intended recipient of said electronic document uses said PURL to retrieve said electronic document.  
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein said server, upon retrieval of said electronic document, customizes the behavior of said retrieval based upon attributes included in said PURL.  
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said server uses electronic messaging for notification of arrival at said server of said data files.  
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , said PURL comprising: 
 a temporary, dynamically generated uniform resource locator which identifies an intended recipient of said data files.    
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said PURL attaches a general reference to data file to be sent, and enables a recipient to access said data file via said reference.  
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein said server receives a request to access said data file and provides a value added service in connection with said access, when said recipient accesses said document by using said reference.  
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein access to said electronic document requires key data and wherein said PURL comprises: 
 the key data.    
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , said PURL comprising: 
 identification data that identifies a recipient of said data files.    
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said server detects that a specific individual has accessed said data files and records access by said individual of said data files in a data base.  
     
     
         12 . A document delivery system for delivering one or more data files between a sender and at least one recipient, said system comprising: 
 A server that temporarily stores said data files, wherein said server dynamically generates a private URL (“PURL”) for each intended recipient of said data files and sends each of the PURLs to each respective intended recipient.