Data processing network with upgrading of files
First Claim
1. In a data processing network having at least one host processor connected to a plurality of workstations of various types containing different facilities installed thereon, the host processor containing a copy of a latest version of each of the facilities, a method of updating the facilities stored in the workstations, said method comprising the steps of:
- transmitting a query by the host processor to one or more of said plurality of workstations;
transmitting a signal from each of the plurality of workstations to the host processor in response to the query indicating the type of workstation and facilities installed thereon; and
updating by the host processor all the facilities stored on each of the respective plurality of workstations each having a version which is different from the latest version of the respective facilities stored in the host processor in response to the signal transmitted thereby.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A data processing network in which a plurality of workstations such as personal computers (PC) (12) are connected to a host processor (11) and contain PC programs at particular levels for controlling tasks on the personal computers. The personal computers send a signal to the host when they are about to conduct a task indicating which data files they have and at what level. The host has an object library containing a copy of each disk file for each version of PC program. The host determines if the personal computer has the latest level data file for the version of program at that personal computer and, if it does not, sends a copy of the latest level data file to the personal computer to replace the down-level data file. Preferably, the host checks if the personal computer has all the data files it needs for the particular task and, if it does not and if it should because of the version of PC program stored at the PC, the host can load a copy of the missing file to the personal computer. The host does not have to contain a record of all the levels of all the programs of all the personal computers connected to it. However, by updating the object library in the host, this arrangement ensures that all personal computers connected to it are automatically brought to the latest authorized level of data files as are required by the personal computer.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. In a data processing network having at least one host processor connected to a plurality of workstations of various types containing different facilities installed thereon, the host processor containing a copy of a latest version of each of the facilities, a method of updating the facilities stored in the workstations, said method comprising the steps of:
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transmitting a query by the host processor to one or more of said plurality of workstations; transmitting a signal from each of the plurality of workstations to the host processor in response to the query indicating the type of workstation and facilities installed thereon; and updating by the host processor all the facilities stored on each of the respective plurality of workstations each having a version which is different from the latest version of the respective facilities stored in the host processor in response to the signal transmitted thereby. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. In a data processing network having at least one host processor connected to a plurality of workstations containing data files, the host processor containing a copy of a latest version of each of the data files, a method of updating the data files stored in the workstations, said method comprising the steps of:
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transmitting a signal by one of the plurality of workstations to the host processor indicating a plurality of data files to be used for a particular task; determining by the host processor whether the one workstation includes the latest version of the data files to be used for the particular task; and updating by the host processor all of the data files in the one workstation having a version which is different from the latest version of the respective data files stored in the host processor. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A data processing system for updating data files stored in a plurality of workstations, said system having at least one host processor connected to the plurality of workstations, the host containing a copy of a latest version of each of the data files, comprising:
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means for transmitting a signal from one of the plurality of workstations to the host processor indicating a plurality of data files to be used for a particular task; means in the host processor responsive to the signal for determining whether the one workstation includes the latest version of the data files to be used for the particular task; and means for updating all of the data files in the one workstation having a version which is different from the latest version of the respective data files stored in the host processor. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification