| 摘要 |
The present invention is directed to technology for managing the transfer of messages, such as e-mails, over a network. Messages can be transferred over the network through background delivery. A proxy server resides between an e-mail client and an e-mail server to receive outbound electronic messages sent by the e-mail client. The proxy server determines whether the outgoing electronic message should be scheduled for background delivery. If not, the proxy server forwards the electronic message to the e-mail server for traditional delivery. Otherwise, the proxy server prepares content associated with the electronic message for background delivery-creating and packaging one or more assets from the electronic message content. An example of such content is files attached to the electronic message. The e-mail proxy server notifies the intended e-mail recipient that the content is ready to be retrieved. The intended recipient issues a scheduling request calling for delivery of the content. A forward proxy receives and services the scheduling request by arranging for the content to be delivered in accordance with a specified bandwidth schedule.
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