Multiple repositories of computer resources, transparent to user

• US 5,721,906 A
• Filed: 03/24/1994
• Issued: 02/24/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 03/24/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: NCR Corporation
• Original Assignee: NCR Corporation
• Inventors: Siefert, David M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Black, Thomas G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): LEWIS, CHERYL RENEA
• Application Number:
  US08/218,024
• Time in Patent Office: 1,433 Days
• Field of Search: 395/600, 395/200, 395/153, 395/158, 395/156, 395/614, 395/615, 395/603, 395/609, 395/610, 395/200.03, 395/329, 395/336, 395/338, 364/900
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/10 File systems; File servers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99933 Query processing, i.e. searching
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99939 Privileged access

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 computerized collection of electronic databases, each under independent control as to data content, comprising:

(a) multiple SERVERs, the SERVERs being grouped into multiple LOCAL SERVERs and REGIONAL SERVERs, each of the multiple LOCAL SERVERs comprising means for storing RESOURCEs therein, each of the REGIONAL SERVERs comprising means for storing multiple PROFILEs, each of the PROFILEs being descriptive of a respective RESOURCE within a LOCAL SERVER, wherein the LOCAL and REGIONAL SERVERs are linked together for electronically transferring the multiple PROFILEs and the multiple RESOURCEs therebetween; and

(b) means for allowing any client of any of the multiple LOCAL SERVERs to obtain access to all of the stored PROFILEs on the REGIONAL SERVERs and means for allowing any client to electronically order delivery of any RESOURCE on the LOCAL SERVERS described in a PROFILE accessed by the client, said PROFILEs being stored on a database different to the RESOURCEs database.

2. The computerized collection of databases according to claim 1, in which the PROFILEs are descriptive of their respective RESOURCEs to an average person, unfamiliar with the RESOURCEs.

3. A computerized collection of electronic databases, each under independent control as to data content, comprising:

(a) multiple SERVERs, the SERVERs being grouped into LOCAL SERVERs and REGIONAL SERVERs, each of the multiple LOCAL SERVERs comprising means for storing RESOURCEs in electronic databases thereon, each of the REGIONAL SERVERs comprising means for storing PROFILEs of RESOURCEs associated with one or more of the LOCAL SERVERs in electronic databases thereon, each of the PROFILEs containing descriptive information about one or more of the RESOURCEs, wherein the LOCAL and REGIONAL SERVERs are linked together for electronically transferring the multiple PROFILEs and the multiple RESOURCEs therebetween; and

(b) means for allowing a client of any of the multiple LOCAL SERVERs to generate a list of the contents of all electronic databases on the LOCAL and REGIONAL SERVERs, said PROFILEs being stored on a database different to the RESOURCEs database.

4. A computerized group of REPOSITORIES, each containing data RESOURCEs stored in various types of media, and each administered independently, comprising:

(a) one or more REPOSITORIES, each of the REPOSITORIES comprising one or more SERVERs, the SERVERs being grouped into LOCAL SERVERs and REGIONAL SERVERs, each of the LOCAL SERVERs comprising means for storing RESOURCEs therein, each of the REGIONAL SERVERs comprising means for storing PROFILEs of RESOURCEs associated with one or more of the LOCAL SERVERs therein, each of the PROFILEs containing descriptive information about one or more of the RESOURCEs, wherein the LOCAL and REGIONAL SERVERs are linked together for electronically transferring the PROFILEs and RESOURCEs therebetween; and

(b) means for allowing a client of any REPOSITORY to select one or more of the following options;

(i) option to view a descriptive list of all RESOURCEs contained in all REPOSITORIES;

(ii) option to select a type of media and view a list of all RESOURCEs stored on the selected type of media;

(iii) option to view a list of all RESOURCEs stored in a particular REPOSITORY;

(c) means for allowing said client to run a search of the description list, and

(d) said PROFILEs being stored on a database different to the RESOURCEs database.

5. The computerized group of REPOSITORIES according to claim 4 wherein the means for allowing a client of any REPOSITORY to select one or more of the following options further comprises:

(iv) option to run an automated search of a specified subset of the descriptive list.

6. The computerized group of REPOSITORIES according to claim 4 wherein the means for allowing a client of any REPOSITORY to select one or more of the following options further comprises:

(iv) options to run, at specified times in the future, an automated search of a specified subset of the descriptive list.

7. The computerized group of REPOSITORIES according to claim 4, in which the various types of media include the following:

magnetic disc and

video tape.

8. The computerized group of REPOSITORIES according to claim 7, in which the various types of media further include paper.

9. The computerized group of REPOSITORIES according to claim 4, in which the various types of media include the following:

magnetic disc and

paper.

10. The computerized group of REPOSITORIES according to claim 9, in which the various types of media further include video tape.

11. The computerized group of REPOSITORIES according to claim 4, in which the various types of media include the following:

magnetic disc and

photographic film.

12. The computerized group of REPOSITORIES according to claim 11, in which the various types of media further include paper.

13. The computerized group of REPOSITORIES according to claim 4, in which the RESOURCEs include non-data RESOURCES, such non-data RESOURCES being physical objects, which are not downloadable by computer.

14. A computerized collection of electronic databases, each under independent control as to data content, comprising:

(a) multiple SERVERs, the SERVERs being grouped into LOCAL SERVERs and REGIONAL SERVERs, each of the LOCAL SERVERs comprising means for storing RESOURCEs therein, each of the REGIONAL SERVERs comprising means for storing multiple PROFILEs, each of the PROFILEs descriptive of a respective RESOURCE within a LOCAL SERVER, wherein the LOCAL and REGIONAL SERVERs are linked together for electronically transferring the PROFILEs and RESOURCEs therebetween;

(b) means for allowing any client of any SERVERs to obtain access to all of the stored PROFILEs on the REGIONAL SERVERS and means for allowing any client to electronically order delivery of any RESOURCE on the LOCAL SERVERS described in a PROFILE accessed by the client, said PROFILEs being stored on database different to the RESOURCEs database; and

computer file names associated with at least some RESOURCEs, and in which said PROFILEs exist, in addition to said file names.

15. A computerized collection of electronic databases, each under independent control as to data content, comprising:

(a) multiple SERVERs, the SERVERs being grouped into LOCAL SERVERs and REGIONAL SERVERs, each of the LOCAL SERVERs comprising means for storing RESOURCEs therein, each of the REGIONAL SERVERs comprising means for storing multiple PROFILEs, each of the PROFILEs descriptive of a respective RESOURCE within a LOCAL SERVER, wherein the LOCAL and REGIONAL SERVERs are linked together for electronically transferring the PROFILEs and RESOURCEs therebetween;

(b) means for allowing any client of any SERVER to obtain access to all of the stored PROFILEs on the REGIONAL SERVERs and means for allowing any client to electronically order delivery of any RESOURCE on the LOCAL SERVERS described in a PROFILE accessed by the client, and

(c) means for allowing a provider of a new RESOURCE to limit access to the RESOURCE to selected clients of the database.

16. A computerized collection of electronic databases, each under independent control as to data content, comprising:

(a) multiple SERVERs, the SERVERs being grouped into LOCAL SERVERs and REGIONAL SERVERs, each of the LOCAL SERVERs comprising means for storing RESOURCEs in electronic databases thereon, each of the REGIONAL SERVERs comprising means for storing PROFILEs of RESOURCEs associated with one or more of the LOCAL SERVERs in electronic databases thereon, each of the PROFILEs containing descriptive information about one or more of the RESOURCEs, wherein the LOCAL and REGIONAL SERVERs are linked together for electronically transferring the PROFILEs and RESOURCEs therebetween;

(b) means for allowing a client of any SERVER to generate a list of the contents of all electronic databases on the LOCAL and REGIONAL SERVERs; and

(c) means for allowing a provider of a new RESOURCE to limit access to the RESOURCE to selected clients of the database.

17. A computerized group of REPOSITORIES, each containing data RESOURCEs stored in various types of media, and each administered independently, comprising:

(a) one or more REPOSITORIES, each of the REPOSITORIES comprising one or more SERVERs, the SERVERs being grouped into LOCAL SERVERs and REGIONAL SERVERs, each of the LOCAL SERVERs comprising means for storing RESOURCEs therein, each of the REGIONAL SERVERs comprising means for storing PROFILEs of RESOURCEs associated with one or more of the LOCAL SERVERs therein, each of the PROFILEs containing descriptive information about one or more of the RESOURCEs, wherein the LOCAL and REGIONAL SERVERs are linked together for electronically transferring the PROFILEs and RESOURCEs therebetween; and

(b) means for allowing a client of any REPOSITORY to select one or more of the following options;

(i) option to view a descriptive list of all RESOURCEs contained in all REPOSITORIES;

(ii) option to select a type of media and view a list of all RESOURCEs stored on the selected type of media;

(iii) option to view a list of all RESOURCEs stored in a particular REPOSITORY;

(c) means for allowing said client to run a search of the description list, and

(d) means for allowing a provider of a new RESOURCE to limit access to the RESOURCE to selected clients of the database.