Context-sensitive switching in a computer network environment
First Claim
1. A method for using a router as a context-sensitive processing array wherein a header of a data packet is encoded with information descriptive of data contained in a payload of the data packet and the data packet is encapsulated into another packet for transportation across a network to an ingress point of the context-sensitive processing array, the method comprising:
- un-encapsulating the data packet and placing the data packet onto a broadcast medium connected to one or more routers such that the routers can receive the data packet substantially simultaneously;
programming at least one router to select data packets from the broadcast medium based on selection criteria that correspond to the encoded information in the packet header; and
selecting the encoded packets based on the encoded information in the header to organize the encoded information into a predetermined hierarchy of information based on the selection criteria, the resulting organization corresponding to one or more of the following;
taxonomic classification, geographic location information, identity of the source of origin of a goods in commerce, type of goods or services offered in commerce, and brand name for a goods or services offered in commerce.
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Abstract
A conventional router can be used as a context-sensitive switch by encoding a header (e.g., a source and/or destination field of an address header) of a data packet with information descriptive of the data contained in a payload of the data packet and programming a router to route data packets based on an addressing scheme that corresponds to the encoded information in the packet header. The encoded packets are routed based on the encoded information. The descriptive information can include dynamic pricing information (e.g., bid/ask pricing), for example, for goods/services available in commerce. The addressing scheme can correspond to a classification hierarchy having multiple levels such as a category level, a topic level, and/or a sub-topic level.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method for using a router as a context-sensitive processing array wherein a header of a data packet is encoded with information descriptive of data contained in a payload of the data packet and the data packet is encapsulated into another packet for transportation across a network to an ingress point of the context-sensitive processing array, the method comprising:
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un-encapsulating the data packet and placing the data packet onto a broadcast medium connected to one or more routers such that the routers can receive the data packet substantially simultaneously; programming at least one router to select data packets from the broadcast medium based on selection criteria that correspond to the encoded information in the packet header; and selecting the encoded packets based on the encoded information in the header to organize the encoded information into a predetermined hierarchy of information based on the selection criteria, the resulting organization corresponding to one or more of the following;
taxonomic classification, geographic location information, identity of the source of origin of a goods in commerce, type of goods or services offered in commerce, and brand name for a goods or services offered in commerce. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification