Record relationship processing

• US 20040039753A1
• Filed: 08/22/2002
• Published: 02/26/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/22/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Chang, Philip Yen-Tang, Benantar, Messaoud, Madduri, Hari Haranath, Albaugh, Virgil A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,337,196 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 707/104.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/10 File systems; File servers
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0283 Price estimation or determination
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/954 Relational
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99937 Sorting
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99954 Version management

Abstract

A method and implementing computer system are provided in which a unique primary key is generated to identify an original message which is received for processing. The record for the original message is stored at the primary key. As the message is propagated to the services that are to be performed on the original message, the primary key is also passed to the service. Derivative messages which are produced as a result of the services applied to the original message are identified with the primary key code along with additional derivative key codes related to services applied to the original message. The resulting derivative message storing and tracking process provides a means by which derivative messages are readily identified and associated with an original message as well as the services performed upon the original message in generating the derivative message.

Claims

1. A method for tracking derivative files which are derived from original files, said method comprising:

obtaining an original file;

creating a primary key designator;

associating said primary key designator with said original file;

performing a first service to said original file to produce a first derivative file;

creating a first derivative key designator, said first derivative key designator including said primary key designator; and

associating said first derivative key designator with said first derivative file.

2. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said original file is an electronic communication.

3. The method as set forth in claim 2 wherein said electronic communication is an original email sent from a sender to a service provider, said first derivative file comprising a first derivative email derived from said original email, said first derivative email being sent from said service provider to a receiving party.

4. The method as set forth in claim 3 and further including generating a plurality of derivative emails from said original email.

5. The method as set forth in claim 4 wherein each of said plurality of derivative emails is sent to a different receiving party.

6. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first derivative key designator is related to said first service.

7. The method as set forth in claim 6 wherein said first derivative key designator is descriptive of said first service.

8. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein a plurality of services are performed on said original file to produce a corresponding plurality of derivative files, said method further including creating a corresponding plurality of derivative designators associated with respective ones of said derivative files.

9. The method as set forth in claim 8 wherein said derivative key designators are descriptive of said services performed whereby services performed on any one derivative file is ascertainable by inspection of a derivative key file associated with said one derivative file.

10. A storage medium including machine readable coded indicia, said storage medium being selectively coupled to a reading device, said reading device being selectively coupled to processing circuitry within a computer system, said reading device being selectively operable to read said machine readable coded indicia and provide program signals representative thereof, said program signals being effective to enable tracking derivative files which are derived from original files, said program signals being selectively operable to accomplish the steps of:

obtaining an original file;

creating a primary key designator;

associating said primary key designator with said original file;

performing a first service to said original file to produce a first derivative file;

creating a first derivative key designator, said first derivative key designator including said primary key designator; and

associating said first derivative key designator with said first derivative file.

11. The medium as set forth in claim 10 wherein said original file is an electronic communication.

12. The medium as set forth in claim 11 wherein said electronic communication is an original email sent from a sender to a service provider, said first derivative file comprising a first derivative email derived from said original email, said first derivative email being sent from said service provider to a receiving party.

13. The medium as set forth in claim 12 and further including generating a plurality of derivative emails from said original email.

14. The medium as set forth in claim 13 wherein each of said plurality of derivative emails is sent to a different receiving party.

15. The medium as set forth in claim 10 wherein said first derivative key designator is related to said first service.

16. The medium as set forth in claim 15 wherein said first derivative key designator is descriptive of said first service.

17. The medium as set forth in claim 10 wherein a plurality of services are performed on said original file to produce a corresponding plurality of derivative files, said program signals being further effective for creating a corresponding plurality of derivative designators associated with respective ones of said derivative files.

18. The medium as set forth in claim 17 wherein said derivative key designators are descriptive of said services performed whereby services performed on any one derivative file is ascertainable by inspection of a derivative key file associated with said one derivative file.

19. A communication processing system comprising:

a first computer system;

a second computer system, said second computer system being arranged for receiving an original file transmitted from said first computer system for processing by said second computer system, said second computer system including means for creating a primary key designator and associating said primary key designator with said original file, said second computer system being further operable for performing a first service to said original file to produce a first derivative file and creating a first derivative key designator, said first derivative key designator including said primary key designator, said second computer system being further operable for associating said first derivative key designator with said first derivative file, said first derivative key designator being descriptive of said first service, said second computer system being selectively operable for sending said first derivative file to a third computer system.