System for distributed task execution

• US 20030208467A1
• Filed: 04/14/2003
• Published: 11/06/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 05/30/1995
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Corporation For National Research Initiatives A District of Columbia Corporation
• Original Assignee: Corporation For National Research Initiatives A District of Columbia Corporation
• Inventors: Cerf, Vinton G., Kahn, Robert E., Ely, David K.
• Application Number:
  US10/412,994
• Publication Number:
  US 20030208467A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 707/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/4862 the task being a mobile agent, i.e. specifically designed to migrate
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/5061 Partitioning or combining of resources
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/5072 Grid computing
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/14 Charging , metering or billing arrangements for data wireline or wireless communications
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1417 Advice of charge with threshold, e.g. user indicating maximum cost
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1439 time-based
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1457 using an account
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/146 using digital cash
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1485 Tariff-related aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1492 negotiation of tariff
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/126 the source of the received data
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/01 Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/10 in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network software deployment G06F8/60; multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/46
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99945 Object-oriented database structure processing

Abstract

Tasks can be done on a network of multiple computers interconnected by communication links. At each of the computers, Knowbot programs may be received and transmitted on the communication links, and may be stored and created; and execution of the tasks associated with the Knowbot programs may be advanced. Each Knowbot program includes a globally unique identifier; navigation information defining a route through the network; and information concerning a task to be done. Knowbot programs may interact with each other and with other network resources. Authenticated Knowbot service stations and Couriers may be used to protect data as well as control its application in the network environment according to stated terms and conditions.

Claims

1. A method for enabling tasks to be done on a network of multiple computers interconnected by communication links, comprising, at each of the computers

receiving Knowbot programs on the communication links, each Knowbot program including a globally unique identifier;

navigation information defining a route through the network; and

information concerning a task to be done,

advancing the execution of the tasks associated with the Knowbot programs,

storing Knowbot programs,

creating Knowbot programs, and

transmitting Knowbot programs on the communication links.

4. The method of claim 1 or 2 further comprising

interacting with a participant at the computer to enable the participant to define the task to be executed, and

embedding information related to the defined task in one of the Knowbot programs.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein the participant comprises a person.

6. The method of claim 4 wherein the participant comprises a process running on a computer.

7. The method of claim 4 wherein the participant comprises a Knowbot program running on a computer.

8. The method of claim 1 or 2 further comprising, at the computer, interpreting task information contained in Knowbot programs.

9. The method of claim 1 or 2 wherein the step of advancing the execution of tasks includes interacting with repositories of digital objects.

10. The method of claim 1 or 2 wherein the step of advancing the execution of a task includes querying a database of information or other data.

11. The method of claim 1 or 2 wherein the information concerning a task to be done includes interpretable or executable instructions.

12. The method of claim 1 or 2 wherein the step of advancing the execution of a task includes applying stored expert knowledge.

13. The method of claim 1 or 2 wherein the Knowbot program also contains data in the form of a digital object.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the digital object includes protocol transformation information.

15. The method of claim 1 or 2 wherein the step of advancing the execution of a task includes protocol transformation.

16. The method of claim 1 or 2 wherein the step of advancing the execution of a task includes providing a directory service identifying other locations which provide services related to the task.

17. The method of claim 1 or 2 wherein the step of advancing the execution of a task includes making a security determination.

18. The method of claim 1 or 2 wherein the step of advancing execution of a task includes providing a “

what'"'"'s new”

service.

19. The method of claim 1 or 2 wherein the step of advancing execution of a task includes providing a “

clipping”

or “

abstracting”

service.

20. The method of claim 1 or 2 wherein the step of advancing execution of a task includes providing a version control service for managing versions of the Knowbot program.

21. The method of claim 1 or 2 wherein the step of advancing execution of a task includes determining the structure of a Knowbot program and for accessing its elements.

22. The method of claim 1 or 2 wherein the step of advancing execution of a task includes responding to actions of a user by obtaining execution of the task at another location without indicating to the user that the execution occurred at the other location.

23. The method of claim 1 or 2 wherein the step of advancing execution of a task includes creating a derivative work from an existing work.

24. The method of claim 1 or 2 wherein the step of advancing execution of a task includes generating another Knowbot program.

25. The method of claim 1 or 2 wherein the step of advancing execution of a task includes passing a message from a source Knowbot program to a target Knowbot program at the same location or at a different location.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein the same message is passed to multiple Knowbot programs.

48. The method of claim 1 or 2 wherein the Knowbot programs further include authentication information.

49. The method of claim 1 or 2 wherein the Knowbot programs further include scheduling information.

50. The method of claim 1 or 2 wherein the Knowbot programs further include payment information.

51. The method of claim 1 or 2 wherein the Knowbot is persistent.

2. A method for enabling a computer on a network of multiple computers interconnected by communication links to participate in a distributed Knowbot service environment, comprising, at the computer

receiving Knowbot programs on the communication links, each Knowbot program including a globally unique identifier;

navigation information defining a route through the network; and

information concerning a task to be done,

advancing the execution of the tasks associated with the Knowbot programs,

storing Knowbot programs,

creating Knowbot programs, and

transmitting Knowbot programs on the communication links.

3. A computer-based method for carrying out tasks comprising interconnecting independent and heterogenous systems for the purpose of carrying out the collaborative tasks.

27. A method for executing a local query of a remote database via a communication channel of a network where the local query complies with a query protocol and the remote database is responsive to queries which comply with a database protocol, comprising

locally generating a Knowbot program which is based on the local query and complies with a Knowbot program protocol,

sending the Knowbot program to the remote database via the communication channel of the network,

at the remote database, responding to the Knowbot program by querying the database in accordance with the database protocol, and

returning the results of the query from the remote database within a return Knowbot program which complies with the Knowbot program protocol.

28. The method of claim 27 further comprising

locally receiving the return Knowbot program, and

providing results to a user based on the results contained within the return Knowbot program.

29. The method of claim 27 further comprising

generating additional Knowbot programs which are based on the local query and comply with the Knowbot program protocol,

sending each of the additional Knowbot programs to another database, and

at each of the other databases, responding to the corresponding Knowbot programs by querying the other database, and

returning the results of the query from each of the other databases within a return Knowbot program which complies with the Knowbot program protocol.

30. The method of claim 27 further comprising

locally receiving the return Knowbot programs, and

processing the results contained within the return Knowbot programs to provide a consistent presentation to a user.

31. The method of claim 30 wherein the consistent presentation to the user is updated as additional return Knowbot programs are received.

32. The method of claim 30 wherein the processing includes removing redundant information.

33. The method of claim 27 wherein the return Knowbot program is a modified version of the original Knowbot program.

34. The method of claim 27 wherein the additional Knowbot programs are generated locally and sent via communication channels of the network.

35. The method of claim 27 wherein additional Knowbot programs are sent locally and where return Knowbot programs corresponding to the original Knowbot program are received locally.

36. The method of claim 27 wherein the query protocol comprises a displayed form, completed by a user.

37. The method of claim 27 wherein the Knowbot program protocol differs from the query protocol and from the database protocol.

38. The method of claim 27 wherein the Knowbot program protocol comprises the syntax of an executable interpretive programming language.

39. The method of claim 27 wherein the Knowbot program comprises an executable interpretive programming language entry and a navigational portion.

40. The method of claim 39 wherein the Knowbot program reaches the remote database site by navigating the network, and wherein the navigational portion of the message comprises information related to the navigating.

41. The method of claim 27 further comprising at the remote database site sending a status Knowbot program indicating the status of execution of the query.

42. The method of claim 27 further comprising

at the remote database, executing the Knowbot program to determine an appropriate database query, storing the Knowbot program during the querying of the database and controlling the querying of the database and the returning of the results based on control information contained in the Knowbot program.

43. The method of claim 27 further comprising

locally using a Knowbot service station to create, send, receive, and delete Knowbot programs.

44. The method of claim 27 further comprising

at the remote database site, using a Knowbot service station to create, send, receive, control, process, and delete Knowbot programs.

45. The method of claim 27 further comprising

locally and automatically selecting the remote database to which the Knowbot program will be sent based on the local query.

46. The method of claim 27 wherein sending the Knowbot program includes conforming the Knowbot program to an electronic mail protocol or a file transfer protocol or other communication method on the network.

47. The method of claim 27 further comprising

including in the Knowbot program protocol transformation information.

52. Apparatus for enabling tasks to be done on a network of multiple computers interconnected by communication links, comprising

a Knowbot service environment including, at each of the computers on the network, a Knowbot service station in the form of software running on a computer, the service station providing services which include

receiving Knowbot programs on the communication links, each Knowbot program including a globally unique identifier;

navigation information defining a route through the network; and

information concerning a task to be done,

advancing the execution of the tasks associated with the Knowbot programs,

storing Knowbot programs,

creating Knowbot programs, and

transmitting Knowbot programs on the communication links.

53. Apparatus for enabling a computer in a network of multiple computers interconnected by communication links to participate in a distributed Knowbot service environment, comprising

a Knowbot service station in the form of software running on a computer, the service station providing services which include

authenticating itself

authenticating Knowbot couriers received from other Knowbot service stations

receiving Knowbot programs on the communication links, each Knowbot program including a globally unique identifier;

navigation information defining a route through the network; and

information concerning a task to be done,

advancing the execution of the tasks associated with the Knowbot programs,

storing Knowbot programs,

creating Knowbot programs, and

transmitting Knowbot programs on the communication links.

54. A method for executing a local query of a remote knowledge-based system via a communication channel of a network where the local query complies with a query protocol and the remote knowledge-based system is responsive to queries which comply with a knowledge-based system protocol, comprising

locally generating a Knowbot program which is based on the local query and complies with a Knowbot program protocol,

sending the Knowbot program to the remote knowledge-based system via the communication channel of the network,

at the remote knowledge-based system, responding to the Knowbot program by querying the knowledge-based system in accordance with the knowledge-based system protocol, and

returning the results of the query from the remote database within a return Knowbot program which complies with the Knowbot program protocol.

55. A method for retrieving a digital object from a remote system, in which

the remote system embeds the object in a Knowbot program,

the Knowbot program is sent to the local system, where it is stored,

the local participant accesses the digital object via the Knowbot program,

the Knowbot program restricts access to portions of the object, requiring additional authorization and/or payment for access to the object, and the object'"'"'s owner is notified as actions are performed on the object.