Computer-based communication system and method using metadata defining a control-structure
DCFirst Claim
1. A node for use in a computer-based communications system which includes multiple nodes arranged and adapted to intercommunicate via a communications network, said node characterized by:
- (A) storage means for storing information;
(B) association means for associating portions of said information with metadata, said metadata defining a control structure which is transferred in either direction between said node and a second node of said system to associate with said associated information processes which execute instructions external to said control structure to control communications of said associated information, said metadata including at least one of(1) update metadata which associates with said associated information a process for determining when said portions of said information associated by said metadata have been updated and transfer metadata which associates a process for controlling the transfer at least a portion of said updated information,(2) data exchange metadata which associates with said associated information a process for controlling the transfer of feedback information, said feedback information including at least a portion of said information stored at the receiving node, and(3) receipt processing metadata which associates with said associated information a process for determining the processing of said associated information by comparison to an associated version of said control structure; and
(C) communications means for at least one of(1) transferring said information, including said metadata defining said control structure, to said second node to control at least one of(a) transferring said updated in formation to said second node,(b) receiving said feedback information from said second node, and(c) processing said feedback information, and(2) receiving said information, including said metadata defining said control structure, from said second node to control at least one of(a) receiving said updated information from said second node,(b) processing said updated information, and(c) transferring said feedback information to said second node.
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Abstract
An automated communications system operates to transfer data, metadata and methods from a provider computer to a consumer computer through a communications network. The transferred information controls the communications relationship, including responses by the consumer computer, updating of information, and processes for future communications. Information which changes in the provider computer is automatically updated in the consumer computer through the communications system in order to maintain continuity of the relationship. Transfer of metadata and methods permits intelligent processing of information by the consumer computer and combined control by the provider and consumer of the types and content of information subsequently transferred. Object oriented processing is used for storage and transfer of information. The use of metadata and methods further allows for automating may of the actions underlying the communications, including communication acknowledgements and archiving of information. Service objects and partner servers provide specialized data, metadata, and methods to providers and consumers to automate many common communications services and transactions useful to both providers and consumers. A combination of the provider and consumer programs and databases allows for additional functionality, including coordination of multiple users for a single database.
1175 Citations
99 Claims
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1. A node for use in a computer-based communications system which includes multiple nodes arranged and adapted to intercommunicate via a communications network, said node characterized by:
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(A) storage means for storing information; (B) association means for associating portions of said information with metadata, said metadata defining a control structure which is transferred in either direction between said node and a second node of said system to associate with said associated information processes which execute instructions external to said control structure to control communications of said associated information, said metadata including at least one of (1) update metadata which associates with said associated information a process for determining when said portions of said information associated by said metadata have been updated and transfer metadata which associates a process for controlling the transfer at least a portion of said updated information, (2) data exchange metadata which associates with said associated information a process for controlling the transfer of feedback information, said feedback information including at least a portion of said information stored at the receiving node, and (3) receipt processing metadata which associates with said associated information a process for determining the processing of said associated information by comparison to an associated version of said control structure; and (C) communications means for at least one of (1) transferring said information, including said metadata defining said control structure, to said second node to control at least one of (a) transferring said updated in formation to said second node, (b) receiving said feedback information from said second node, and (c) processing said feedback information, and (2) receiving said information, including said metadata defining said control structure, from said second node to control at least one of (a) receiving said updated information from said second node, (b) processing said updated information, and (c) transferring said feedback information to said second node. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49)
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50. A method for use at a node of a computer-based communications system which includes multiple nodes arranged and adapted to intercommunicate via a communications network, said method characterized by the steps of:
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(A) providing storage means for storing information; (B) associating portions of said information with metadata, said metadata defining a control structure; (C) transferring said metadata in at least one direction between said node and a second node of said system to associate with said associated information one or more processes which execute instructions external to said control structure to control communications of said associated information, said metadata including at least one of (1) update metadata which associates a process for determining when said portions of said information associated by said metadata have been up dated and transfer metadata which associates a process for controlling the transfer at least a portion of said updated information, (2) data exchange metadata which associates a process for controlling the transfer of feedback information, said feedback information including at least a portion of said information stored at the receiving node, and (3) receipt processing metadata which associates a process for determining the processing of said associated information by comparison to an associated version of said control structure; and (D) at least one of (1) transferring said information, including said metadata defining said control structure, to said second node to control at least one of (a) transferring said updated information to said second node, (b) receiving said feedback information from said second node, and (c) processing said feedback information, and (2) receiving said information, including said metadata defining said control structure, from said second node to control at least one of (a) receiving said updated information from said second node, (b) processing said updated information, and (c) transferring said feedback information to said second node. - View Dependent Claims (51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 89, 90, 91, 92, 93, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98)
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99. A product for use in connection with a digital computer connected to a communication network, to configure and operate the computer as a node of said network, comprising a computer-readable medium and a computer program recorded thereon, the computer program comprising a series of instructions for execution in said computer and when so executed causing the computer to instantiate:
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(A) storage means for storing information; (B) association means for associating portions of said information with metadata, said metadata defining a control structure which is transferred in either direction between said node and another, second node of said network to associate with said associated information processes which execute instructions external to said control structure to control communications of said associated information, said metadata including at least one of (1) update metadata which associates with said associated information a process for determining when said portions of said information associated by said metadata have been updated and transfer metadata which associates a process for controlling the transfer at least a portion of said updated information, (2) data exchange metadata which associates with said associated information a process for controlling the transfer of feedback information, said feedback information including at least a portion of said information stored at the receiving node, and (3) receipt processing metadata which associates with said associated information a process for determining the processing of said associated information by comparison to an associated version of said control structure; and (C) communications means for at least one of (1) transferring said information, including said metadata defining said control structure, to said second node to control at least one of (a) transferring said updated information to said second node, (b) receiving said feedback information from said second node, and (c) processing said feedback information, and (2) receiving said information, including said metadata defining said control structure, from said second node to control at least one of (a) receiving said updated information from said second node, (b) processing said updated information, and (c) transferring said feedback information to said second node.
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Specification