Method and apparatus for information retrieval via electronic mail

Abstract

Invention provides a method for an e-mail based interface to function as a single common access point for requesting, receiving, publishing, accessing and sharing various data from multiple, remote information systems. The invention becomes akin to a human relay operator in the loop which is transparent to the user. By relaying the e-mail chain, the invention performs multiple functions based on the originating request, and reply as a human would.

1 . Method for information retrieval via electronic mail, comprising the steps of:
 creating an electronic query;   entering search terms into said query;   forwarding said query to a mail server;   determining the originating format and type of said query;   extracting said search terms from said query;   simultaneously performing an information search on a plurality of databases based on said search terms;   retrieving information from said plurality of databases;   fusing said retrieved information into a synthetic document; and   outputting said synthetic document from said mail server.   
   
   
       2 . Method of  claim 1 , wherein said steps of creating an electronic query and entering search terms into said query comprises the step of forming a header and subject line of an e-mail from said search terms. 
   
   
       3 . Method of  claim 1 , wherein said steps of creating an electronic query and entering search terms into said query comprises the step of entering said search terms into an electronic form. 
   
   
       4 . Method of  claim 2 , wherein said step of extracting said search terms from said query comprises the step of parsing the header information of said e-mail to extract said search terms. 
   
   
       5 . Method of  claim 3 , wherein said steps of extracting said search terms from said query comprises the step of demodulating the fields of said electronic form. 
   
   
       6 . In an information system comprising a plurality of local and remote databases and user workstations being electronically interconnected through a network with mail servers, an apparatus, being disposed between said network and said servers, for providing information retrieval from said local and remote databases via electronic mail to and from said user workstations, further comprising:
 a computer processor;   a software program comprising instructions, stored on a computer-readable media, wherein said instructions, when executed by said computer processor, implement means to:
 create an electronic query from said users workstation; 
 enter search terms into said query; 
 forward said query to said mail server over said network; 
 determine the originating format and type of said query; 
 extract said search terms from said query; 
 simultaneously perform an information search on said plurality of remote databases based on said search terms; 
 retrieve information from said plurality of remote databases over said network; 
 fuse said retrieved information into a synthetic document; and 
 output said synthetic document from said mail server to said users workstation.