Apparatus for distributing data processing across a plurality of loci of control
First Claim
1. In a digital data processing system having a first plurality of loci of control, apparatus for distributing the processing of data across the loci comprising:
- (1) a package includingthe data to be processed anda processing descriptor associated with the data which specifies a second plurality of the first plurality of loci in which the data is to be processed and how the data is to be processed in the second plurality of loci;
(2) a message system for providing the package to the second plurality of loci; and
(3) interpreter means in each locus of the second plurality of loci for processing the data by executing a portion of the processing descriptor specified for that locus.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Apparatus for distributing the processing of data across a plurality of loci of control which are connected by a mail system. The apparatus includes a package which contains files of various types and a route specifying the order in which the package is to be circulated among the loci and the processing to be done at each locus. Each locus includes programs executable by users which can manipulate the contents of the package. The programs automatically take the type of file being manipulated into account. The manipulations include modifying the unexecuted portion of the route. Each locus further includes a process which executes the route as modified, a process which tracks the package and receives control commands, and a process which handles errors detected by the other components or by users. The tracking processes maintain data bases for locating the package. When a user or the error handling process enters a control command at one locus, the tracking process at that locus uses the data bases to locate the package and send the control command to the locus currently processing the package. The route executing process checks with the tracking process and executes any control command before it sends the package to the next locus.
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Citations
35 Claims
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1. In a digital data processing system having a first plurality of loci of control, apparatus for distributing the processing of data across the loci comprising:
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(1) a package including the data to be processed and a processing descriptor associated with the data which specifies a second plurality of the first plurality of loci in which the data is to be processed and how the data is to be processed in the second plurality of loci; (2) a message system for providing the package to the second plurality of loci; and (3) interpreter means in each locus of the second plurality of loci for processing the data by executing a portion of the processing descriptor specified for that locus. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. In a digital data processing system having a first plurality of loci of control, apparatus for distributing the processing of data of different types across the loci comprising:
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(1) a package including the data and a data descriptor indicating the type of the data; (2) means for routing the package to a second plurality of the first plurality of loci according to a predetermined route; and (3) means in each locus of the second plurality of loci responsive to the data descriptor for processing the data received in the locus as required by the type of the data specified in the data descriptor. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 21, 22)
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14. In a digital data processing system having a plurality of loci of control, apparatus for distributing the processing of data across the loci comprising:
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(1) a package including the data and a route specifier indicating a route by which the loci are to process the data; (2) route altering means in certain of the loci for altering the portion of the route in which the loci have yet to process the data; and (3) route interpreter means in each locus responsive to the route as altered for routing the package to the next locus on the route. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. In a digital data processing system in which an item of data is processed by sending the item among a plurality of loci of control to be processed by processing means in each locus of the plurality of loci, control apparatus for controlling the processing of the item comprising:
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(1) control command sending means in certain of the loci for sending a control command affecting the processing to the locus currently processing the item; (2) control command receiving means in each of the loci for receiving the control command; and (3) control command execution means in each of the loci for receiving the control command from the control command receiving means and executing the control command before the item is sent to the next locus.
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23. In a digital data processing system having a plurality of loci of control linked by a message system, apparatus for distributing the processing of data across the loci comprising:
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a package which is sendable via the message system and which includes the data to be processed and a route specifier indicating a route by which the loci are to process the data; in first certain of the loci, route specifier editing means for altering a portion of the route specifier which specifies a portion of the route in which the loci have yet to process the data; and in each locus of the plurality of loci, control command receiving means for receiving a control command affecting the route via the message system and route interpreter means for interpreting the route specifier as altered by receiving the package from the message system, providing the package to a destination in the locus specified in the route specifier, receiving the package from the destination, receiving any control command from the control command receiving means and executing the control command, and second the package via the message means to the next locus specified in the route specifier. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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Specification