Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput – Computer-to-computer data routing – Least weight routing
Reexamination Certificate
1998-07-07
2001-04-24
Maung, Zarni (Department: 2154)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput
Computer-to-computer data routing
Least weight routing
C709S239000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06223226
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a data distribution system for distributing data to many destinations using a plurality of distribution means, and more particularly to a data distribution system for distributing the data to destinations by selecting the distribution means having the most suitable cost for each destination.
2. Description of the Related Art
Usually, in case of distributing data to many destinations such as members of institutes or customers of shops, the users select distribution means to distribute the data to the distribution address recorded in the member list or the customer list. Until now, it has been common practice to output the distribution addresses using a printer and to mail them.
As a result of the progress of information apparatuses and network technology, a system is suggested which selects one of the distribution means among a plurality of distribution means according to the communication environment of the destinations, and distributes the data to the destination using the selected distribution means.
For example, Japanese Laid-open patent publication No. 7-74843, Communication Terminal Apparatus discloses a system which converts the distribution data so that it coincides with the specified communication form, and automatically distributes it to the destination, upon inputting the destination information, distribution means and the distribution data, when the destination terminal has any one of the plurality of the distribution means such as voice communication, facsimile communication and data communication.
However, in a conventional data distribution system, the sender has to select the distribution means which has a suitable distribution cost when the destinations have a plurality of distribution means. Further, if the first selected distribution means cannot work at the destination, the same destination address of the destination is not used for further distribution. Therefore, there is a problem in that the data are not permanently distributed to the destination when the data could not be distributed by the first distribution means.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a distribution system for selecting one distribution means which can distribute the data at the suitable distribution cost if the destinations have a plurality of distribution means.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a distribution system for selecting a second distribution means which can distribute the data at the second best distribution cost, if the first distribution means cannot work.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a distribution system for preventing further distribution of the data to the same destination, if the first destination did not respond.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a distribution system for preventing further fatal distribution error after selecting other available distribution means.
According to one aspect of the invention, a data distributing system includes a distribution information memory for storing distribution information including available distribution means corresponding to each of a plurality of destinations, a distribution cost memory for storing distribution cost information corresponding to a plurality of distribution means and distribution conditions, a selector for selecting distribution means having the lowest distribution cost for each destination from a plurality of the distribution means extracted from the destination list information stored in the distribution information memory corresponding to each destination when the destination information is inputted, referring to the distribution cost information, and distribution data output apparatus for distributing the data to the destination using the distribution means selected by the selector.
According to another aspect of the invention, the selector receives distribution data quantity, stores new distribution cost information into the distribution cost memory based on the distribution data quantity, and selects distribution means having the lowest distribution cost for each destination based on the stored distribution cost information.
According to a further aspect of the invention, the selector modifies the destination information in the distribution information list stored in the distribution information memory upon receiving any distribution error message.
According to a still further aspect of the invention, the selector decides whether the data are re-distributed by the same distribution means, or the data are distributed by other distribution means available for the destination, according to distribution error messages.
According to a still further aspect of the invention, a data distributing system includes an analyzer for analyzing distribution error information upon receiving the distribution error information from the destination and notifying the selector of the kind of error. When the kind of error is a temporary error, the selector notifies the distribution data output apparatus of the destination information included in the error information, and the distribution data output apparatus re-distributes the data by the same distribution means, and when the kind of error is a fatal error, the selector selects other available distribution means, and notifies the distribution data output apparatus of the destination information included in the available distribution means, and the distribution data output apparatus distributes the data by the re-selected distribution means.
According to a still further aspect of the invention, a data distribution method includes the steps of storing distribution information including available distribution means corresponding to a plurality of destinations into a distribution information memory, storing distribution cost information corresponding to a plurality of distribution means and distribution conditions into a distribution cost memory, upon receiving destination information at the selector, extracting distribution means corresponding to the destination from the distribution information list, and selecting distribution means having the lowest distribution cost for each destination among a plurality of the extracted distribution means based on the distribution cost information, and distributing the data to the destination using the distribution means selected by the selector, at the distribution data output apparatus.
According to a still further aspect of the invention, a data distribution method includes the steps of receiving distribution data quantity, storing new distribution cost information into the distribution cost memory based on the distribution data quantity, and selecting distribution means having the lowest distribution cost for each destination based on the stored distribution cost information, at the selector.
According to a still further aspect of the invention, a data distribution method includes the step of deleting the distribution means corresponding to the destination upon receiving the distribution error message at the selector.
According to a still further aspect of the invention, a data distribution method includes the step of selecting other distribution means available for the destination upon receiving the distribution error message at the selector.
According to a still further aspect of the invention, a data distribution method further including the steps of: analyzing distribution error information at an analyzer upon receiving the distribution error information from the destination and notifying the selector of a kind of error, wherein, when the kind of error is a temporary error, notifying the distribution data output apparatus of the destination information included in the error information at the selector, and re-distributing the data by the same distribution means at the distribution data output apparatus, and when the kind of error is a fatal error, selecting other available distribution means, and notifying the distribution data
Maung Zarni
Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki
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