Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput – Remote data accessing
Reexamination Certificate
1997-09-18
2001-01-30
Meky, Moustafa M. (Department: 2757)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput
Remote data accessing
Reexamination Certificate
active
06182123
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of Use
This invention relates generally to a distributed processing, interactive computer network intended to provide very large numbers of simultaneous users; e.g. millions, with access to an interactive service having large numbers, e.g., thousands, of applications which include pre-created, interactive text/graphic sessions; and more particularly, to a computer network in which the interactive text/graphic sessions are comprised of pre-created blocks of data and program instructions which may be distributed downwardly in the network for execution at software-enhanced user terminals that decrease processing demand on the higher-level network elements, thus permitting the higher-level elements to function primarily as data supply and maintenance resource and, thereby, reduce network complexity, cost and response time.
2. Prior Art
Interactive computer networks are not new. Traditionally they have included conventional, hierarchical architectures wherein a central, host computer responds to the information requests of multiple users. An illustration would be a time-sharing network in which multiple users, each at a remote terminal, log onto a host that provides data and software resource for sequentially receiving user data processing requests, executing them and supplying responses back to the users.
While such networks have been successful in making the processing power of large computers available to many users, problems have existed with them. For example, in such networks, the host has been required to satisfy all the user data processing requests. As a result, processing bottle-necks arise at the host that cause network slowdowns and compel expansion in computing resources; i.e., bigger and more complex computer facilities, where response times are sought to be held low in the face of increasing user populations.
Host size and complexity, however, are liabilities for interactive networks recently introduced to offer large numbers of the public access to transactional services such as home shopping, banking, and investment maintenance, as well as informational services concerning entertainment, business and personal matters.
As can be appreciated, commercial interactive networks must provide interesting and desirable transactional and informational services at low cost and with minimal response times in order to be successful. As a result, unlike military and governmental networks where, because of the compulsory nature of the service performed, costs and content are of secondary concern, in commercial services, the network capital and maintenance expenses must be kept low in order to make the network affordable and, the content maintained interesting to attract both users who would subscribe to the network and merchandisers who would rely on the service as a channel of distribution for their good and services. Further, in addition, to maintaining capital and operating costs low, and quality of content high, it is also essential that network response time be kept to a minimum in order to not only capture and hold the user's attention, but also, quickly free the network to satisfy the requests of other users. Accordingly, and as will be appreciated, the ability of the network to satisfy large numbers of user requests with minimal resources is fundamental to the ultimate success of a commercial, interactive network.
While conventional, previously known time-sharing network designs have attempted to alleviate host complexity and response time problems by providing some processing at the user site; i.e., “smart terminals”, still, the storage of the principal data and software resources needed for processing applications at the host continues to create a burden on network complexity and response time which renders the conventional approach unsuited for the large numbers of users contemplated for a commercially viable interactive, informational and transactional network.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide method and apparatus which permit a very large number of users to obtain access to a large number of applications which include interactive text/graphic sessions that have been created to enable the users to obtain informational and transactional services.
It is a further object of this invention to provide method and apparatus which permit the data and program instructions necessary to support applications sessions to be distributed over a computer network.
It is still a further object of this invention to provide method and apparatus that would permit a user to access informational and transactional services available over an electronic gateway.
It is yet a further object of this invention to provide method and apparatus which permit the data and program instructions necessary to support applications sessions to be updated while at the user cites.
It is another object of this invention to provide method and apparatus that would permit informational and transactional services to be provided to users based upon predetermined parameters such as user demographics and/or locale.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide method and apparatus capable of collecting data regarding usage of the network and applications and to condition distribution in the network of data for supporting applications on user reaction to the applications.
Briefly, to achieve the above and other objects and features, the invention includes method and apparatus for operating an interactive network that includes a multiplicity of computer-based user reception systems at which respective users can request applications that include informational and transactional services. In preferred form, the method aspect of the invention includes steps for organizing the applications into objects that collectively include data and executable program instructions for generating the applications, as well as steps for distributing selected objects within the network in accordance with a predetermined plan based on the likelihood a user will request a particular application. Further, in preferred form, the method includes steps for supplying objects to a reception system requesting an application to enable the requesting reception system to selectively collect objects required for the application from the network and the requesting reception system so that the requested application may be presented based on the objects collected.
Further, in the apparatus aspect of the invention, the network in the preferred form includes one or more host computers, a plurality of concentrator computers connected in groups of one or more to each of the host computers, and a plurality of reception system computers connected in groups of one or more to each of the concentrator computers, the reception system computers being configured to permit respective users to enter requests for interactive applications. Additionally, the method aspect of operating the preferred form of the network apparatus includes steps for establishing data stores at the host computers, the concentrator computers and the reception system computers and, thereafter, distributing application data to data stores maintained, respectively, at the host computers, the concentrator computers and the reception system computers in accordance with a predetermined plan designed to reduce the time required to present a requested application.
Still further, the method aspect of operating the preferred form of the network apparatus includes supplying application data to a reception system computer requesting an application so that the requesting reception system computer can assemble the data which makes up the requested application by selectively collecting data from its own data store and the data stores of the respective host computer and concentrator computer to which it is connected.
Further, in preferred form, the method aspect of the invention, features use, of specially structured messages that harmonize and facilitate communications between the different elements of the network a
Abrahams Lawrence
Appleman Kenneth H.
Bidwell Alexander W.
Dalsass Aldo R.
Filepp Robert
IBM Corp.
Meky Moustafa M.
Morgan & Finnegan , LLP
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