Software and method that enables selection of one of a plurality of network communications service providers

• US 8,499,030 B1
• Filed: 04/20/2000
• Issued: 07/30/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: TMI Solutions LLC (Strategic Intellectual Solutions, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Intellectual Ventures I LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: Reisman, Richard R.
• Primary Examiner(s): PEYTON, TAMMARA R
• Application Number:
  US09/553,336
• Time in Patent Office: 4,849 Days
• Field of Search: 705/6, 705/16, 705/26, 705/31, 705/32, 705/37, 709/206, 709/203, 709/215, 709/219, 709/221, 709/225, 709/229, 709/202, 710/4, 710/101, 710/19, 710/33, 710/73, 710/72, 710/14, 710/16, 380/24, 380/25, 707/103.R, 719/315, 379/201.05, 379/114.19
• US Class Current: 709/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/65 Updates security arrangements therefor G06F21/57
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/025 Coordination of plural reservations, e.g. plural trip segments, transportation combined with accommodation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/067 Enterprise or organisation modelling
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/20 Point-of-sale [POS] network systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/382 insuring higher security of transaction
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0609 Buyer or seller confidence or verification
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0623 Item investigation
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0635 Processing of requisition or of purchase orders
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 Shopping interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/04 Trading; Exchange, e.g. stocks, commodities, derivatives or currency exchange
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/12 Accounting
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/123 Tax preparation or submission
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 8/18 Address timing or clocking circuits; Address control signal generation or management, e.g. for row address strobe [RAS] or column address strobe [CAS] signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/00 Network arrangements or protocols for supporting network services or applications user-to-user messaging H04L51/00; network arrangements, protocols or services for supporting real-time applications in data packet communications networks H04L65/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99931 Database or file accessing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99944 Object-oriented database structure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99945 Object-oriented database structure processing

Abstract

Software stored on a computer-readable storage medium at a user station configured for communications with a multiplicity of independently-operated data sources via a non-proprietary network instantiates a user interface function that enables a user at the user station to select one of a plurality of available network communications service providers, a communications function that establishes a communication link between the user station and a selected one of the multiplicity of independently-operated data sources using the selected one of the network communications service providers, and a data transport function that effectuates data transfers between the user station and the selected one of the data sources via the established communication link. Corresponding methods and a dedicated user station providing corresponding functions are also described.

Claims

1. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon, computer-executable instructions that, in response to being executed by a computing device, cause the computing device to perform a method comprising:

selecting a remote device from a plurality of independently-operated remote devices;

selecting a communications network from a listing of a plurality of available communications networks that are useable for communication to the selected remote device;

initiating a communication link between the computing device and the selected remote device using the selected communications network; and

initiating data transfers between the computing device and the selected remote device via the communication link,

wherein the selecting of the remote device and the selecting of the communications network is made independently of one another in a single session.

2. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as set forth in claim 1, wherein the initiating data transfers comprises:

utilizing a set of translators and protocol drivers to facilitate establishment of the communication link between the computing device and the selected remote device.

3. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as set forth in claim 1, wherein the initiating data transfers comprises:

utilizing a protocol translation function that facilitates establishment of the communication link between the computing device and the selected remote device.

4. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as set forth in claim 1, wherein the available communications networks comprise wireless communications networks.

5. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as set forth in claim 1, wherein the initiating data transfers comprises:

utilizing an object manifest to initiate data transfers.

6. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as set forth in claim 5, wherein the object manifest includes at least a source address of the selected remote device.

7. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as set forth in claim 5, wherein the object manifest includes at least a source address of the selected remote device and an identification of at least one data object to be transferred.

8. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as set forth in claim 5, wherein the object manifest is a send object manifest.

9. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as set forth in claim 5, wherein the object manifest is a fetch object manifest.

10. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as set forth in claim 5, wherein the method further comprises:

modifying the object manifest using an application programming interface.

11. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as set forth in claim 10, wherein a higher-level software entity modifies the object manifest using the application programming interface.

12. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as set forth in claim 10, wherein a high-level user interface modifies the object manifest using the application programming interface.

57. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as set forth in claim 1, wherein at least one data object to be transferred between the computing device and the selected remote device is identified before the communication link is initiated.

13. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon, computer-executable instructions that, in response to being executed by a computing device, cause the computing device to perform a method comprising:

selecting a remote device from a plurality of independently-operated remote devices;

selecting a network communications protocol from a listing of a plurality of available network communications protocols;

after selecting the remote device and the network communications protocol, initiating a communication link between the computing device and the selected remote device; and

initiating data transfers in accordance with the selected network communications protocol between the computing device and the selected remote device via the communication link,

wherein the selecting of the remote device and the selecting of the network communications protocol is made independently of one another in a single session.

14. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as set forth in claim 13, wherein the plurality of network communications protocols includes at least one of direct dial and data network dial mechanisms.

15. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as set forth in claim 13, wherein the initiating data transfers further comprises:

utilizing an object manifest to initiate data transfers.

16. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as set forth in claim 15, wherein the object manifest includes at least a source address of the selected remote device.

17. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as set forth in claim 15, wherein the object manifest includes at least a source address of the selected remote device and an identification of at least one data object to be transferred.

18. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as set forth in claim 15, wherein the object manifest is a send object manifest.

19. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as set forth in claim 15, wherein the object manifest is a fetch object manifest.

20. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as set forth in claim 15, wherein the method further comprises:

modifying the object manifest using an application programming interface.

21. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as set forth in claim 20, wherein a higher-level software entity modifies the object manifest using the application programming interface.

22. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as set forth in claim 20, wherein a high-level user interface modifies the object manifest using the application programming interface.

58. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as set forth in claim 13, wherein at least one data object to be transferred between the computing device and the selected remote device is identified before the communication link is initiated.

23. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon, computer-executable instructions that, in response to being executed by a computing device, cause the computing device to perform a method comprising:

selecting a remote device from a plurality of independently-operated remote devices;

selecting a network communications media from a listing of a plurality of available network communications media that are useable for communication to the selected remote device;

initiating a communication link between the computing device and the selected remote device via the selected network communications media; and

initiating data transfers between the computing device and the selected remote device via the communication link,

wherein the selecting of the remote device and the selecting of the network communications media is made independently of one another in a single session.

24. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as set forth in claim 23, wherein the plurality of network communications media includes at least one of wireless and wireline communication media.

25. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as set forth in claim 23, wherein the plurality of network communications media includes at least one of telephone and cable communications media.

26. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as set forth in claim 23, wherein the plurality of network communications media includes mobile communications media.

27. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as set forth in claim 23, wherein the initiating data transfers comprises:

utilizing an object manifest to initiate data transfers.

28. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as set forth in claim 27, wherein the object manifest includes at least a source address of the selected remote device.

29. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as set forth in claim 27, wherein the object manifest includes at least a source address of the selected remote device and an identification of at least one data object to be transferred.

30. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as set forth in claim 27, wherein the object manifest is a send object manifest.

31. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as set forth in claim 27, wherein the object manifest is a fetch object manifest.

32. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as set forth in claim 27, wherein the method further comprises:

modifying the object manifest using an application programming interface.

33. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as set forth in claim 32, wherein a higher-level software entity modifies the object manifest using the application programming interface.

34. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as set forth in claim 32, wherein a high-level user interface modifies the object manifest using the application programming interface.

59. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as set forth in claim 23, wherein at least one data object to be transferred between the computing device and the selected remote device is identified before the communication link is initiated.

35. A non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon, computer-executable instructions that, in response to being executed by a computing device, cause the computing device to perform a method comprising:

selecting a remote device from a plurality of independently-operated remote devices;

selecting a communications network from a listing of a plurality of available communications networks that are useable for communication to the selected remote device;

initiating a communication link between the computing device and the selected remote device using the selected network communications network;

fetching data from the selected remote device via the communication link; and

storing the fetched data in a storage location at the computing device,

wherein the selecting of the remote device and the selecting of the communications network is made independently of one another in a single session.

36. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as set forth in claim 35, further comprising:

a set of translators and protocol drivers to facilitate establishment of the communication link between the computing device and the selected remote device.

37. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as set forth in claim 35, wherein the method further comprises:

utilizing a protocol translation function that facilitates establishment of the communication link between the computing device and the selected remote device.

38. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as set forth in claim 35, wherein the available communications networks comprise wireless communications networks.

39. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as set forth in claim 35, wherein the fetching comprises:

utilizing an object manifest that includes at least a source address of the selected remote device and an identification of at least one data object to be transferred.

40. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as set forth in claim 39, wherein the method further comprises:

modifying the object manifest using an application programming interface.

41. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as set forth in claim 40, wherein a higher-level software entity modifies the object manifest using the application programming interface.

42. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as set forth in claim 40, wherein a high-level user interface modifies the object manifest using the application programming interface.

43. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as set forth in claim 35, wherein the storage location is a temporary storage location.

44. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as set forth in claim 35, wherein the storage location is a persistent storage location.

45. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as set forth in claim 35, wherein the fetched data comprises software.

46. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as set forth in claim 35, wherein the fetched data comprises user-desired data.

47. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as set forth in claim 35, wherein the fetched data comprises software updates.

48. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as set forth in claim 35, wherein the fetched data comprises data updates.

49. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as set forth in claim 35, wherein the computer-executable instructions are embedded in a higher-level software entity.

50. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as set forth in claim 49, wherein the fetched data comprises updates of the higher-level software entity.

51. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as set forth in claim 35, wherein the fetched data comprises updates of the computer-executable instructions.

52. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as set forth in claim 45, wherein the method further comprises:

automatically installing the fetched software in response to storage of the fetched software in the storage location.

53. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as set forth in claim 50, wherein the method further comprises:

integrating the updates of the higher-level software entity with an existing version of the higher-level software entity.

54. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as set forth in claim 35, wherein the method further comprises:

automatically integrating the fetched data with existing data stored at the computing device.

55. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as set forth in claim 35, wherein the fetched data comprises data updates, and the fetched data updates are automatically integrated with an existing database.

56. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as set forth in claim 35, wherein the method further comprises:

automatically integrating the fetched data with existing data stored at the computing device in response to the fetched data being stored in the storage location.

60. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium as set forth in claim 35, wherein at least one data object to be transferred between the computing device and the selected remote device is identified before the communication link is initiated.