Apparatus for distributing data processing
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;
- a package having (i) data to be processed, and (ii) a processing descriptor including an indication of a type of the package independent of the data to be processed;
means for routing the package to a second plurality of the first plurality of loci according to the type of the package; and
interpreter means in each locus of the second plurality of loci for processing the data according to the type of the package as indicated by the processing descriptor of the package.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Computer apparatus provides distribution of processing among a plurality of loci of control. Specific loci of control include an origination point, an entry point to a recipient'"'"'s mailbox, in a recipient'"'"'s mailbox, an exit point from a recipient'"'"'s mailbox and a completion point after a last recipient. Processing is performed in a foreground or background task, and interactively or non-interactively at each desired loci of control. Processing includes invocation of an application automatically upon receipt of subject data at a focus of control or upon manual command by the recipient at the locus of control. Pre-existing applications are invoked through a common interface between the present invention apparatus and pre-existing applications. A data update routine records recipient'"'"'s modification of the data during recipient editing in multiple sessions at a locus. A recovery routine insures that at most the last editing session is lost in a system crash. Files included in the subject data may be specified by preprogramming to be viewable or hidden to recipients.
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Citations
18 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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a package having (i) data to be processed, and (ii) a processing descriptor including an indication of a type of the package independent of the data to be processed; means for routing the package to a second plurality of the first plurality of loci according to the type of the package; and interpreter means in each locus of the second plurality of loci for processing the data according to the type of the package as indicated by the processing descriptor of the package. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. 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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a package having (i) a processing descriptor indicating type of the package and (ii) data to be processed; an electronic mail system for routing the package to a second plurality of the first plurality of loci, the second plurality of loci including at least one of an origination locus, a mailbox entry locus, an in-mailbox locus, a mailbox exit locus, and a completion locus at the end of the routing of the package to the second plurality of loci; and interpreter means in each locus of the second plurality of loci for processing the data according to the package type including, for certain loci of the second plurality of loci, beginning processing of the data upon receipt of the package at the loci instead of upon command given to the loci subsequent to receipt of the package at the loci. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. 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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a package having (i) data to be processed and (ii) a processing descriptor indicating package type; means for routing the package to a second plurality of the first plurality of loci; and interpreter means in each locus of the second plurality of loci for processing the data according to package type indicated by the processing descriptor of the package including calling through an interface a pre-existing application to process the data. - View Dependent Claims (14)
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15. In a digital data processing system having a first plurality of loci of control, a method for distributing the processing of data across the loci comprising the steps of:
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providing a package having (i) data to be processed and (ii) a processing descriptor indicating package type; routing the package to a second plurality of the first plurality of loci, the second plurality of loci including at least one of an origination locus, an electronic mailbox entry locus, and electronic mailbox locus, an electronic mailbox exit locus, and a completion locus at the end of routing the package to the second plurality of loci; and at each locus of the second plurality of loci, interpreting the processing descriptor and processing the data according to package type. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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Specification