Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput – Network computer configuring
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-06
2001-08-14
Meky, Moustafa M. (Department: 2153)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput
Network computer configuring
Reexamination Certificate
active
06275852
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION FIELD OF USE
This invention relates generally to a distributed processing, interactive computer network intended to provide very large numbers of simultaneous users access to large numbers of applications which include pre-created, interactive text/graphic sessions; and more particularly, to a method for operating a distributed processing, interactive computer network, the network including a one or more servers, interactive applications, and one or more reception systems, the reception systems being capable of communicating with the respective servers and receiving applications from them, the respective reception systems having display interfaces for presenting applications to respective users, the display interfaces including a plurality of partitions and at least some of the respective applications being divided into sections, the respective sections forming at least a part of an application display page and being constructed from objects such that display page parts of one or more respective applications may be controllably presented at the partitions of the interface to permit application page part nesting, scrolling and navigation, the objects being of multiple types and including display data and/or program code for enabling execution of applications and their presentation at the interface partitions of the respective user reception systems.
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 a method for operating a distributed computer network that permits a very large number of users to access a large number of applications which include interactive text/graphic sessions which have been created to enable users to obtain informational and transactional services.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a method for operating a distributed computer network that permits the data and program instructions necessary to support applications sessions to be distributed throughout the network.
It is still a further object of this invention to provide a method for operating a distributed computer network that permits user to access informational and transactional services available over an electronic gateway.
It is yet a further object of this invention to provide a method for operating a distributed computer network that permits the data and program instructions necessary to support applications sessions to be updated at respective user sites.
It is another object of this invention to provide a method for operating a distributed computer network that permits 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 this invention to provide a method for operating a distributed computer network capable of collecting data regarding usage of the network and applications and to condition distribution in the network of data for supporting applications based upon user reaction to the applications.
It is still a further object of this invention to provide a method for operating a distributed computer network that permits the informational and transactional applications to be divided into sections representing at least parts of respective application display pages which may be controllably presented at a plurality of partitions provided at the reception system display interface.
Briefly, to achieve the above and other objects and features, the invention includes a method for operating a distributed computer network, the network featuring a multiplicity of computer-based reception systems at which respective users can request applications that include informational and transactional services. In preferred form, the network comprehends at least a first computer-based server, interactive applications and one or more user reception systems, the reception systems being capable of communicating with the servers and receiving applications from them, the reception systems, respectively, having a display interface for presenting applications to respective users.
In preferred form, the method aspect of the invention includes steps for dividing the applications into sections, the respective sections comprising at least a part of an application display page. Additionally, the method preferably includes steps for parsing into packets termed “objects”, the data and program instructions required to support the applications and respective applications sections; i.e., display page parts. Also in accordance with the method, objects are stored in the network, including the respective user reception systems, and supplied from the server to the reception system at which an application request is made to the extent the objects for the requested applications are unavailable at the requesting reception system. As a further preferred aspect of the method, objects are stored in the network in accordance with a predetermined plan based on the likelihood a user will request a particular a
Abrahams Lawrence
Appleman Kenneth H.
Bidwell Alexander W.
Dalsass Aldo R.
Filepp Robert
International Business Machines Corp.
Meky Moustafa M.
Scifo, Esq. Paul C.
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