Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput – Computer-to-computer protocol implementing – Computer-to-computer handshaking
Reexamination Certificate
1992-12-29
2001-07-24
Donaghue, Larry D. (Department: 2154)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput
Computer-to-computer protocol implementing
Computer-to-computer handshaking
C709S231000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06266703
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a data processing system, and more particularly, to confirmation of delivery notification to an originator of an isochronous object when a recipient has accessed the object.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Confirmation of Delivery (COD) mechanisms provide notification capability so that an originator of an object is notified when particular actions are taken on the object by a recipient. Current mechanisms find extensive use in electronic mail interchanges where they are used to return a notification, if requested, to the originator of a mail message when the end user recipient has actually accessed the message in some way. The notification may be sent when the end user recipient opens, lists or deletes the message. Confirmation of delivery mechanisms have been extended to allow an originator to be notified when the end user recipient acts on a particular segment of a document (i.e., recipient has viewed page four) or triggered by an event.
In application, Ser. No. 07/513,651, filed Apr. 24, 1990, now abandoned, which is assigned to the assignee of the present application and incorporated herein by reference, an automated procedure is provided where a complex process comprising multiple data processing procedures may be initiated and run automatically in response to the occurrence of selected events or in response to a process detailed within a procedural abstract associated with the complex data processing procedure. A listed event may comprise the occurrence of an elapsed time, or the final event in a chain of events, all of which must occur prior to the activation of a specified data processing procedure. The foregoing solution is capable of handling non-isochronous text based messages delivered to a recipient, but is not capable of handling -mail transmissions containing a plurality of related isochronous objects (i.e., time dependent). As used in this specification, transmissions of isochronous data refer to transmissions of time-dependent data such as real-time video and digital voice. Originators of isochronous transmissions are more concerned with the amount of time a recipient has accessed a particular mail object. Current COD mechanisms cannot provide confirmation notices initiated by the duration of time a recipient has spent viewing or hearing (i.e., accessing) a particular mail object. Moreover, an isochronous object can be related to another object making it necessary to view several media presentations for the information to be accurately conveyed. Current mechanisms are incapable of allowing originators to receive notifications based on a total time for viewing related objects. For example, an originator may need to know when a recipient has spent a sufficient time in one object and sufficient time in a related object. After the recipient has spent a sufficient amount of time within the designated objects, then and only then, should the originator want a notification of confirmation.
Consequently, a technique is needed that provides a procedure for notifying an originator when a recipient has accessed isochronous objects a specified amount of time.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a method and apparatus for notifying an originator when a recipient has accessed an isochronous mail object for a specified duration of time. A Document Relational Service (DRS) is provided that allows the originator to specify relationships of distributions with isochronous objects and other objects. These relationships allow the originator to be notified on an expenditure of time basis when particular combinations of objects have been accessed. The Document Relational Service allows the user to specify time ranges for particular objects in varying combinations. Distribution and object identifiers correlate the relationships and generate confirmation notices. A user interface allows the user to establish relationships among existing or previously distributed objects. The completion criteria for generating a confirmation is a completion set, i.e., the set of all events that must be fulfilled. When all events have a completion state, the threshold for confirmation is met for the completion set. Thus, an originator can define completion sets and how long a completion set should be enabled. A time service monitor registers the duration of access time spent on specified objects. The manipulation of particular objects for a specified duration of time creates a completed element of the set. Fulfillment of all combinations and time criteria generates the confirmation notice.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5017917 (1991-05-01), Fisher et al.
patent: 5138653 (1992-08-01), Le Clercq
patent: 5210869 (1993-05-01), Williams
patent: 5293250 (1994-03-01), Okumura et al.
patent: 5315635 (1994-05-01), Kane et al.
patent: 5325310 (1994-06-01), Johnson et al.
Clark David K.
Williams Marvin L.
Bracewell & Patterson, L.L.P
Donaghue Larry D.
International Business Machines - Corporation
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