Information retrieval server and system including the server

(51) Int. CI.

G06F 7/00 (2006.01)
G06F 17/00 (2006.01)

(52) U.S. CI 707/3; 707/10

(58) Field of Classification Search 707/3,

707/6, 9, 10, 100, 1,2 See application file for complete search history.

(56) References Cited

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS

6,157,924 A * 12/2000 Austin 707/10

6,202,087 Bl * 3/2001 Gadish 709/206

6,370,527 Bl* 4/2002 Singhal 707/6

6,606,654 Bl * 8/2003 Borman et al 709/219

6,658,414 B2* 12/2003 Bryan et al 707/9

6,745,195 Bl * 6/2004 Kornfein et al 707/102

6,829,348 Bl * 12/2004 Schroeder et al 379/265.09

FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS JP 09-259250 10/1997

To enable easily obtaining information retrieval result once retrieved by user without performing retrieval again, an information retrieval/information retrieval result providing system includes a network, a user terminal connected to the network, an information retrieval server, information storage server and information sending servers, the information retrieval server and the information storage server being located adjacent with each other. The information retrieval server receives information retrieval request from the user terminal and collecting information including the keyword from a plurality of information sending servers as the information retrieval result, stores storing the information retrieval result depending upon storage request from the user terminal and managing storage period, and transmits and receives electronic mail. The information storage server stores and deletes the information retrieval result under control of the information retrieval server.

36 Claims, 11 Drawing Sheets