Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput – Computer network managing – Network resource allocating
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-06
2003-09-30
Geckil, Mehmet B. (Department: 2142)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput
Computer network managing
Network resource allocating
C709S224000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06629143
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to the field of network computing. In particular, the present invention relates to network computing which provides a mobile computing environment.
BACKGROUND
Historically, computers were large and expensive processors that had to be located at special premises and that few could afford to own and maintain. To benefit from the then powerful computing and processing capabilities of a computer of the past, a user had to access the premises where the computer was located and take multiple steps and procedures that were unique to the computer in order to operate the computer.
Currently, through technological evolution, one of the successors of these large and expensive computers is a small and affordable notebook computer. More importantly, however, such a notebook computer may provide computing power with the ability to execute complex applications and complex formulae involving large numbers at high processing speeds. Such an evolution in computing technology is made possible partially because of the advent of integrated circuit technology that enables the integration of electronic circuits into small electronic devices. The advancement of technology and related skills in manufacturing and software programming and/or engineering also contributes to this evolution.
The evolution of computer technology also significantly impacts the evolution of network technology. Modern network technology allows users who are connected to a network to share resources that are connected to the network. Currently, networks can either cover a small geographical area, such as a local area network (LAN), or a wide geographical area, such as the coverage provided by the Internet or an Internet. Recognizing the market potential of coupling modem computing technology that provides for small, portable, and powerful computers, and the wide coverage of the Internet, the computer industry has placed many modem computing products and services of sorts on the computer marketplace.
One example of such products and services currently being commercialized is based on the concept of mobile computing with minimal local storage usage. This means that modem mobile computer manufacturers can leverage off the implementation of minimal local storage such as the local hard disk, therefore accentuating the compactness of modem mobile computers. The modem mobile computer can therefore be dedicated to, for example, networking, communications and image processing.
Another example of the products and services currently being commercialized is based on the concept of a “mobile” user. The mobile user in one context refers to a computer user who uses a modem mobile computer. In another context, the mobile user refers to a computer user that hops from computer to computer within a “boundary” defined by a network to which the mobile user subscribes or is connectable. The mobile user, hereinafter used in the latter context, thus performs work using whichever computer the mobile user accesses within the network.
When any computer user utilizes a computer, the computer user is basically working on a set or sets of information using the computer's processor. Generally, the information is found on a local storage device such as the local hard disk or a storage medium such as a Compact Disc Read Only Memory (CD ROM). However, the information may also reside on a remote storage that is accessible through, for example, a network. Irrespective of the storage location, it is a fundamental requirement that the computer provides means of storing and/or retrieving the information. For example, when the mobile user hops from computer to computer, the computer user may either use floppy diskettes, CD ROMs, card memories, or any other form of storage medium for providing the information that the mobile user is dealing with. To minimize the use of such storage media that need to be transported, remote storage may be used. When the mobile user wishes to access a remote storage, the mobile user is required to connect to another computer controlling the remote storage either directly or through a network. Such a network could either cover a small geographical area such as a LAN, or a wide geographical area such as the Internet.
In both examples, there appear to exist advantages to using remote storage for the reasons of either improving the compactness of the modern mobile computer or lessening the need to transport the above mentioned storage media.
Currently, some Internet-based products or services such as Web portals, to which a computer user may subscribe, provide accounts with electronic mailboxes, personal starting Web pages, and file directories. These can be accessed from any computer the subscriber uses as long as a Web Browser application program and an Internet link are available on that computer. The subscriber needs to simply login to the Web portal account and thus is able to use the mailbox or access a file from the file directory that is provided by the account. This is a very useful concept for providing computer users with access to the same information and resources at all times regardless of whether the computer users are at home, in the office, or travelling. This idea is also made possible largely because the concept of remote storage access exists.
However, one shortcoming attendant on a Web portal product or service is that a Web portal account is accessible only through a Web Browser. This means that the Web portal account is distinct from the subscriber's other network or remote access accounts that may exist at the office, at home, or with any Internet service provider. Typically, only the email component of the Web portal account may be integrated with the subscriber's other accounts using protocols such as POP3 or IMAP. A practical consequence of this distinction is that a data file residing on one account cannot be opened directly by a program that requires such a data file if the program is installed on another account. Instead, the data file has to be moved manually to the account where the program is installed first.
Another attendant shortcoming is that the subscriber has to work with different environment settings, shortcuts, directory structures, and the like, when the subscriber works on the different accounts from the different computers. Such are components of a computing environment that provides the “look and feel” of the user interface, file access, directory access, and execution of application program of a computer.
In an attempt to overcome one or more of the above problems, conventional methods exist in the marketplace. One such conventional method seeks to address the problem of locating files residing on different file directories of different accounts by using file attributes. From the file attributes, it can be determined if for example a requested file is located on the local storage of the computer or on a remote storage. If the file attribute of a file indicates that the requested file is stored on the remote storage, a file system driver in the operating system of the computer passes control to high level drivers to continue processing the request as an input/output (I/O) request. However, such a conventional method does not address the problem adequately because only remote storage supported by communications protocols congruent with the communications protocols supported by the operating system is accessible. Moreover, such a conventional method does not specifically address the other problems mentioned in the foregoing.
Another conventional method addresses the problem of accessing different resources on the Web through overwriting shared libraries used by application programs on the computer. This however implies that such a conventional method cannot support application programs that utilize static libraries. Hence, the application of such a conventional method is restricted to access of files by application programs that utilize only shared libraries. Moreover, such a conventional method also does not address th
Geckil Mehmet B.
Kent Ridge Digital Labs
Ladas & Parry
LandOfFree
Mobile computing system and method for a network does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Mobile computing system and method for a network, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Mobile computing system and method for a network will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3007687