Communication system and methods using dynamic expansion for computer networks
First Claim
1. A method for exchange of information between a requesting communication unit and a responding communication unit through an intervening communication unit, the method comprising the steps of:
- at the requesting communication unit;
(a) transmitting a request for a predetermined information element to the responding communication unit using a first format;
at the intervening communication unit;
(b) intercepting the request for the predetermined information element;
(c) searching resources local to the intervening communication unit for the requested predetermined information element; and
, if the predetermined information element is located in local resources,(d) transmitting the requested predetermined information element to the requesting communication unit;
else, if the requested predetermined information element is not located in local resources,(e) translating the request for the predetermined information element into a second format; and
(f) transmitting the translated request to the responding communication unit;
at the responding communication unit;
(g) receiving the translated request;
(h) transmitting a representation of the requested predetermined information element to the requesting communication unit;
at the intervening communication unit;
(i) intercepting the transmitted representation of the requested predetermined information element;
(j) expanding the representation to provide the requested predetermined information element; and
(k) transmitting the requested predetermined information element to the requesting communication unit.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method for exchange of information between a requesting communication unit and a responding communication unit through an intervening communication unit. The method comprises the steps of transmitting a request for a predetermined information element to the responding communication unit using a first format, intercepting the request for the predetermined information element, searching resources local to the intervening communication unit for the requested predetermined information element, and transmitting the requested predetermined information element to the requesting communication unit. If the requested predetermined information element is not located in local resources, the method includes the steps of translating the request for the predetermined information element into a second format and transmitting the translated request to the responding communication unit, receiving the translated request, transmitting a representation of the requested predetermined information element to the requesting communication unit, intercepting the transmitted representation of the requested predetermined information element, expanding the representation to provide the requested predetermined information element, and transmitting the requested predetermined information element to the requesting communication unit. Apparatus for exchange of information is also described.
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Citations
28 Claims
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1. A method for exchange of information between a requesting communication unit and a responding communication unit through an intervening communication unit, the method comprising the steps of:
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at the requesting communication unit; (a) transmitting a request for a predetermined information element to the responding communication unit using a first format; at the intervening communication unit; (b) intercepting the request for the predetermined information element; (c) searching resources local to the intervening communication unit for the requested predetermined information element; and
, if the predetermined information element is located in local resources,(d) transmitting the requested predetermined information element to the requesting communication unit;
else, if the requested predetermined information element is not located in local resources,(e) translating the request for the predetermined information element into a second format; and (f) transmitting the translated request to the responding communication unit; at the responding communication unit; (g) receiving the translated request; (h) transmitting a representation of the requested predetermined information element to the requesting communication unit; at the intervening communication unit; (i) intercepting the transmitted representation of the requested predetermined information element; (j) expanding the representation to provide the requested predetermined information element; and (k) transmitting the requested predetermined information element to the requesting communication unit. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. Apparatus for exchange of information comprising:
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means for transmitting a request for a predetermined information element from a requesting communication unit to a responding communication unit using a first format; means for intercepting the request for the predetermined information element at an intervening communication unit; means for searching resources local to the intervening communication unit for the requested predetermined information element; means for determining whether the requested predetermined information element is located in local resources; means for transmitting the requested predetermined information element to the requesting communication unit if the requested predetermined information element is located in local resources; means for translating the request for the predetermined information element into a second format provided that the requested predetermined information element is not located in local resources; means for transmitting the translated request to the responding communication unit; means for receiving the translated request at the responding communication unit; means for transmitting a representation of the requested predetermined information element to the requesting communication unit; means for intercepting the transmitted representation of the requested predetermined information element at the intervening communication unit; means for expanding the representation to provide the requested predetermined information element; and means for transmitting the requested predetermined information element to the requesting communication unit. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method for implementing an abridged communication protocol for exchange of information among communication units, wherein a designated server communication unit includes, accessible in local storage, a document directory having a symbolic reference to available documents, selected parameter values, and selected operations, the method comprising the steps of:
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at a requesting communication unit; (a) transmitting a request to the designated server communication unit for a predetermined document defining selected protocol standards; and
upon receiving said predetermined document,(b) formatting a request in accordance with the protocol standards; and (c) transmitting the request to the designated server communication unit; at the designated server communication unit; (d) receiving the transmitted request; (e) extracting request-specific information from the received request; and
, if the request is for a document,(f) using a received document identifier as an index into the symbolic reference to available documents, accessing and transmitting the requested document to the requesting communication unit; and
if the request is for a parameter value,(g) using a received parameter identifier as an index into the symbolic reference to selected parameter values, accessing and transmitting the requested parameter to the requesting communication unit; and
, if the request is for an operation,(h) using a received operation identifier as an index into the symbolic reference to selected operations, performing the selected operation. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification