Data processing: database and file management or data structures – Database design – Data structure types
Reexamination Certificate
1998-05-28
2003-03-04
Breene, John (Department: 2177)
Data processing: database and file management or data structures
Database design
Data structure types
C709S203000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06529908
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to database systems having provisions for receiving user input to update records, using the world wide web and provisions for distributing database record information using a mail transfer protocol.
Many businesses recognize that the Internet represents an unprecedented global distribution network. Serious real time limitations associated with the Internet make it difficult for them to perceive how this extraordinary network can be utilized for this purpose.
The deficiencies of the Internet, particularly its lack of dependability, the time lag associated with bandwidth limitations that further limit its use in the distribution of data intensive files, and its inability to display, on demand, data accompanied by picture quality graphics, has, in consequence, severely inhibited its commercial use.
The world wide web has provided the capability of providing database information to a plurality of users. Typically however, such information is presented to users through a web session in which users effectively log onto a database server and view database record information while logged onto the database server. This may require the transfer of relatively large files to a user's browser, which consumes a relatively large amount of time. Such usage of time may be frustrating especially if the user is attempting to provide information from the database to a customer or client, while the customer or client is waiting.
In addition, when information in a record is changed, it is sometimes necessary to advise certain users that a change has been made to ensure they are kept up to date. With a log-on type of system, user's are not notified of changes to information records. It is only when they log onto the system that they will be notified of changes to a record.
With a push type of system, where messages are automatically sent using a hypertext transfer protocol (HTTP), such messages are only available at the time they are sent and they are lost after a critical period of time. This results in the loss of such messages by a user who may be away from his system when such messages are sent.
The present invention addresses the need for immediate access to database records and the need to notify users of changes to database records.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention addresses current problems with Internet databases by creating a hybrid system that combines the advantages of Internet technology with the dependability and functionality of off-line computer based software applications.
Generally, the invention is applicable wherever a dynamic database is to be disseminated down to a regular user group, on a frequent basis.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a remotely updatable database system including a user interface, a database of information records, a database manager, and a message server. The user interface is for communicating with at least one subscriber system to receive user input from a user at the at least one subscriber system. The database manager is in communication with the user interface, for controlling the database such that each information record is associated with at least one user, and for amending the information records in response to user input received at the user interface from the at least one subscriber system. The message server is in communication with the database manager for serving a message including at least one record received from the database manager to the at least one user associated with the information record.
The information records may have respective pluralities of fields and preferably, the database may include a plurality of user records, each of the information records being linked to at least one user record.
The message server may include a processor and memory for storing program codes readable by the processor to direct the processor to communicate with the database manager to obtain for inclusion in the message a plurality of information records having at least one common field entry. In addition, the program codes readable by the processor may direct the processor to communicate with the database manager to obtain for inclusion in the message at least one information record having at least one common field entry.
The database manager may store the contents of at least some of the information records in a compressed format. The contents of at least one field of the information record may include at least one information code and the at least one information code may represent at least one of a plurality of predefined contents of the field.
The apparatus may include memory for storing a key identifying the predefined contents of each of the fields represented by the at least one information code.
The at least one information code may represent a quantitative measure of a predefined physical quantity and the apparatus may include memory for storing a key identifying the predefined physical quantity. The key may include a character string associated with the field.
The at least one information code may identify whether or not any of a plurality of pieces of information are to be associated with the record and the at least one information code includes a decimal number representing a binary number having individual bits representing the inclusion or exclusion of a corresponding predefined piece of information. Preferably, there is a key identifying the plurality of pieces of information, the key including a plurality of character strings associated with the field.
The server memory may include program codes for directing the server processor to produce a composite file including the key and at least one of the information records and for directing the server processor to produce a compressed file including the key and at least one of the information records.
The compressed file may include an image file and the message includes the compressed file and preferably, the user records include a user address field for storing a user address to which a message produced by the message server is to be transmitted.
The memory may include program codes for directing the processor to direct the database manager to scan the user records to obtain a distribution list of user records having the contents of at least one field associated with the contents of a predesignated field in at least one of the information records and preferably, the server memory includes program codes for directing the server processor to transmit the compressed file to each of the user addresses identified in the user address fields of the user records on the distribution list.
The user interface may include a web interface.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of maintaining and distributing database information. The method involves:
communicating with at least one subscriber system to receive user input from a user at the at least one subscriber system;
maintaining a database of information records;
controlling the database such that each information record is associated with at least one user, amending the information records in response to user input from the at least one subscriber system; and
serving a message including at least one information record from the database to the at least one user associated with the information record.
The method may involve the step of maintaining user records in the database and linking the user records with information records and obtaining for inclusion in the message a plurality of information records having at least one common field entry.
The method may involve the step of storing the contents of at least some of the information records in a compressed format and storing at least one information code in at least one field in at least one information record.
The method may involve representing at least one of a plurality of predefined contents of the field and storing a key identifying the predefined contents of each of the fields represented by the at least one information code.
The meth
Cellik Peter
McAleer Anthony James
Piett Derrick Ronald
Breene John
Knobbe Martens Olson & Bear LLP
Lewis Cheryl
Netspan Corporation
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