Method for modifying computer system and system resulting therefrom

• US 6,044,371 A
• Filed: 10/30/1997
• Issued: 03/28/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 10/30/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bank of America Corp.
• Original Assignee: Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith Incorporated (Bank of America Corp.)
• Inventors: Marovskis, Ilze, Person, Garry
• Primary Examiner(s): Fetting, Anton W.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Corrielus, Jean M.
• Application Number:
  US08/960,900
• Time in Patent Office: 880 Days
• Field of Search: 707/100, 707/10, 707/6, 707/101
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/78 Methods to solve the "Year 2000" [Y2K] problem
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99936 Pattern matching access
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99942 Manipulating data structure, e.g. compression, compaction, compilation

Abstract

The invention provides a calendar interface system associated with a host computer for returning date-compliant data to an application running remotely from the host and requesting date data and a method for modifying such systems to be date compliant.

Claims

1. A method for modifying a computer system comprising a plurality of workstations and a host computer with which the workstations are in communication, wherein the workstations run (i) independent applications generating date data locally and (ii) dependent applications generating date data through a call to the host to make said system date-compliant, which method comprises:

A. reprogramming said independent applications generating date data locally to be date-compliant; and

B. providing a calendar interface module in communication with said host computer, which module comprises

a. means for receiving a date data request from the dependent application,

b. an associated accessable calendar database (CDB),

c. means for operating on said date data with reference to the CDB to provide date-compliant date data, and

d. means for sending the date-compliant date data to said dependent application requesting the same.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said CDB comprises data generally occurring on a regular or periodic dates.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said periodic data is selected from the group consisting of holidays, business days, settlement days, business holidays, bank holidays, and the like, and combinations thereof.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein date data request from the dependent application includes a two digit year date representation and the CIS defines the representation, prior to operating thereon in step c., as falling in a particular century if the representation is in a predetermined window and otherwise as falling in a different century.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the CIS adjusts the window as the actual year date advances to the next year.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said date data request is made in request mode.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said date data request is made in command mode.