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Method and means for providing access to a library of digitized documents and images

  • US 5,649,185 A
  • Filed: 04/05/1995
  • Issued: 07/15/1997
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/01/1991
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
Patent Images

1. In a data library system for controlling user access to a library of images, an image being a data representation of a document or a portion of a document, the system including at least one processor coupled to a client store, a library server coupled to an access control store, a library storage resource to hold the library of images, and one or more image servers coupled to the library storage resource for storage or retrieval of images, a method for transferring an image between a client process executing on the processor and the library storage resource,the library server maintaining in the access control store means for authenticating user identities and a catalog of the images stored in the library storage resource, the catalog containing entries each identifying an image and an associated image server controlling the library storage resource storing the image,the data library system further including a message-passing communication facility connecting the processor, the library server, and the image servers for message-based communication, andthe library storage resource further including means for validating the access control store authority associated with the library server,the method including the steps of:

  • the processor providing a first message from the client process to the library server, the first message including a new authenticating token, an associated request for transferring a requested image between the client process and the library and a name of an associated image port at the processor through which the requested image is to be transferred;

    in response to receipt by the library server of the first message,the library server using the authenticating means in the access control store to verify the new authenticating token,the library server using the catalog in the access control store to identify an associated image server with access to a library storage resource for storing the requested image, andthe library server providing a second message from the library server to the associated image server, the second message including an image copy identifier unique to this request, a command for setting up transfer of the requested image between the client process and the library storage resource, and the name of the associated image port;

    in response to receipt by the associated image server of the second message,the associated image server using the validating means in the library storage resource and the unique image copy identifier to verify the authority of the library server to control the requested image, andthe associated image server providing through the associated image port a third message to the processor for the client process including a command for transferring the requested image between the client process and the library storage resource through the associated image port; and

    in response to receipt by the processor of the third message,the processor and the associated image server transferring the requested image between the associated image port and the library storage resource under control of the associated image server.

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