Ordering and downloading resources from computerized repositories

• US 5,699,526 A
• Filed: 08/21/1996
• Issued: 12/16/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: NCR Corporation (NCR Voyix Corporation)
• Original Assignee: NCR Corporation (NCR Voyix Corporation)
• Inventors: Siefert, David M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Black, Thomas G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Choules, Jack M.
• Application Number:
  US08/670,294
• Time in Patent Office: 482 Days
• Field of Search: 395/226, 395/227, 395/610, 395/615, 395/601
• US Class Current: 705/26.8
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/10 File systems; File servers
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0633 Lists, e.g. purchase orders, compilation or processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 Shopping interfaces

Abstract

The invention concerns a system for managing resources, which can take the form of (a) computer-compatible information, such as data files and programs, and (b) non-computer-compatible information, such as data contained on microfiche, and (c) physical objects. The resources are located at geographically diverse sites. The invention contains a descriptive profile for each resource, and allows any user to search all profiles, and to search the profiles according to "fields" (a database term), such as by location of the resources, or by category of the resources. The user can order delivery of a selected resource, and the system causes delivery of the resource to be executed, irrespective of the form (eg, physical object) of the resource. The invention allows a provider of a new resource to limit access to the resource, by identifying users who are authorized to obtain access to the resource. Non-authorized users cannot obtain access to the profiles of these resources.

Claims

1. A system for managing RESOURCEs, comprising:

(a) multiple SERVERs the SERVERs being grouped into LOCAL SERVERs and REGIONAL SERVERs, wherein;

(i) one or more PCs are coupled to one or more of the SERVERs;

(ii) each of the LOCAL SERVERs comprising means for storing RESOURCEs therein;

(iii) each of the REGIONAL SERVERs comprising means for storing PROFILEs therein, each of the PROFILEs containing descriptive information about one or more of the RESOURCEs stored on the LOCAL SERVERs; and

(iv) the LOCAL and REGIONAL SERVERs being linked together for electronically transferring PROFILEs and RESOURCEs therebetween;

(b) means for allowing a PC coupled to a SERVER to view PROFILEs stored in the REGIONAL SERVERs; and

(c) means for allowing the PC coupled to the SERVER to electronically order delivery of any RESOURCE described in a PROFILE viewed by the PC.

2. A system for storing information, comprising:

(a) multiple SERVERs serving one or more PCs, the SERVERs being grouped into LOCAL SERVERs and REGIONAL, SERVERs, each of the LOCAL SERVERs comprising means for storing RESOURCEs therein, and each of the REGIONAL SERVERs comprising means for storing PROFILEs about RESOURCEs associated with one or more of the LOCAL SERVERs therein, some of which RESOURCEs take the form of downloadable data, and others of the RESOURCEs take the form of tangible items, wherein the LOCAL and REGIONAL SERVERs are linked together for electronically transferring PROFILEs and RESOURCEs therebetween; and

(b) means for allowing the user of any PC to;

(i) examine any PROFILE stored in any of the REGIONAL SERVERs; and

(ii) order delivery of any RESOURCE listed in said PROFILE from a LOCAL SERVER.

3. A method of managing RESOURCEs, which take the form of downloadable data and physical objects, comprising:

(a) storing the RESOURCEs on LOCAL SERVERs, wherein the LOCAL SERVERs are placed at different geographic locations;

(b) storing PROFILEs which contain descriptive information about the RESOURCEs on REGIONAL SERVERs coupled to the LOCAL SERVERs;

(c) allowing a user, at one location, to view PROFILEs located on REGIONAL SERVERs at other locations via a coupled PC; and

(d) allowing said user to order delivery of any RESOURCE described on a PROFILE which the user can view from a LOCAL SERVER via a coupled PC.

4. A method according to claim 3, further comprising the step of notifying a transport agent, if the user orders delivery of a physical object.

5. An inventory management system, comprising:

(a) means for storing RESOURCEs on LOCAL SERVERs at different locations, under the control of respective CUSTODIANs;

(b) a plurality of REGIONAL SERVERs coupled to the LOCAL SERVERs which store PROFILEs which contain descriptive information about RESOURCEs;

(c) means for allowing a user of any of said LOCAL SERVERs to obtain access to PROFILEs stored in other REGIONAL SERVERs; and

(d) means for;

(i) allowing a user to order delivery of a selected RESOURCE described in a PROFILE accessed in paragraph (c); and

in response,

(ii) notifying the respective CUSTODIAN of the order.

6. A system according to claim 5, in which a new RESOURCE can be added to a LOCAL SERVER at a particular location, and further comprising:

(e) means for allowing a user of any LOCAL SERVER to add a PROFILE to a REGIONAL SERVER, which PROFILE contains descriptive information of the added RESOURCE.

7. A system according to claim 5, in which:

(e) the RESOURCEs include both;

(i) downloadable data;

(ii) physical objects; and

(f) the means of paragraph (c) allows a user of any SERVER to obtain access to PROFILEs stored in all other REGIONAL SERVERs, subject to confidentiality rules imposed by Administrators.

8. An inventory management system, comprising:

(a) means for storing RESOURCEs, which include both downloadable data and physical objects, at different locations, on one or more LOCAL SERVERs under the control of respective CUSTODIANs;

(b) a plurality of REGIONAL SERVERs coupled to the LOCAL SERVERs which store PROFILEs containing descriptive information about RESOURCEs;

(c) means for allowing a user of any SERVER to obtain access to PROFILEs stored in any of the REGIONAL SERVERS, subject to confidentiality rules imposed by Administrators, and to retrieve a selected PROFILE, to the exclusion of other PROFILEs; and

(d) means for;

(i) allowing a user to order delivery of a selected RESOURCE; and

, in response,

(ii) informing the respective CUSTODIAN of the order, if the RESOURCE is a physical object; and

(iii) transmitting the RESOURCE by a data link, if the RESOURCE is downloadable data.