Distributed, intermittently connected, object-oriented database and management system
First Claim
1. Apparatus for facilitating selective data transfer from a central server computer to one of a plurality of client computers over a communication circuit, the apparatus comprising:
- a. a database for storing a plurality of retrievable items on the server, each item comprising;
i. a header comprising an item identifier and an item title;
ii. a contents portion comprising displayable data; and
iii. at least one encapsulated procedure, the at least one encapsulated procedure including a procedure for controlling display of the displayable data;
b. a table for defining, in the database, hierarchical and linked relationships among the items stored therein, each hierarchical relationship comprising an upper-tier item and at least one lower-tier item, and each linked relationship comprising a linking item and at least one linked item;
c. resident on the server, means for retrieving requested items and providing them to clients;
d. resident on each client;
i. means for issuing to the server requests for retrievable items, at least some of the requested items being upper-tier items hierarchically related to lower-tier items;
ii. storage means for storing requested items; and
iii. a client display, responsive to the display procedures of items stored on the client, for displaying requested items;
e. a download filter template for specifying hierarchically based download and storage restrictions, on the client storage means, for at least some of the items; and
f. means for downloading requested items to the client and storing them on the client storage means in accordance with the template.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Disclosed is an object-oriented approach to storage and transmission of retrievable items in a client-server computer environment. Special processing modules manage retrieval and permanent storage, on client computers, of requested objects in a manner that minimizes unnecessary transmission and storage. The user enters a "subscription" in connection with items related to hierarchically inferior items. The subscription specifies the amount of information the user desires to download and store locally with respect to a specified hierarchical depth level. The invention also includes a pruning module for deleting, from local storage, items inconsistent with the subscription and which the user does not explicitly indicate a desire to store, and a facility for updating locally stored items upon re-establishment of communication with the server.
360 Citations
19 Claims
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1. Apparatus for facilitating selective data transfer from a central server computer to one of a plurality of client computers over a communication circuit, the apparatus comprising:
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a. a database for storing a plurality of retrievable items on the server, each item comprising; i. a header comprising an item identifier and an item title; ii. a contents portion comprising displayable data; and iii. at least one encapsulated procedure, the at least one encapsulated procedure including a procedure for controlling display of the displayable data; b. a table for defining, in the database, hierarchical and linked relationships among the items stored therein, each hierarchical relationship comprising an upper-tier item and at least one lower-tier item, and each linked relationship comprising a linking item and at least one linked item; c. resident on the server, means for retrieving requested items and providing them to clients; d. resident on each client; i. means for issuing to the server requests for retrievable items, at least some of the requested items being upper-tier items hierarchically related to lower-tier items; ii. storage means for storing requested items; and iii. a client display, responsive to the display procedures of items stored on the client, for displaying requested items; e. a download filter template for specifying hierarchically based download and storage restrictions, on the client storage means, for at least some of the items; and f. means for downloading requested items to the client and storing them on the client storage means in accordance with the template. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification