Method and apparatus for managing location information in a network separate from the data to which the location information pertains

• US 20080005275A1
• Filed: 05/14/2007
• Published: 01/03/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/02/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Econnectix LLC
• Original Assignee: Econnectix LLC
• Inventors: Bailey, Stephen, Overton, John
• Application Number:
  US11/803,332
• Publication Number:
  US 20080005275A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/218
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1001 for accessing one among a plurality of replicated servers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/52 specially adapted for the location of the user terminal
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/16 Implementation or adaptation of Internet protocol [IP], of transmission control protocol [TCP] or of user datagram protocol [UDP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/164 Adaptation or special uses of UDP protocol
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services

Abstract

A system and method for storing and retrieving location information across a network is disclosed. The system and method utilize a transfer protocol configured to transport an identifier/location relationship to allow one or more locations to be associated with an identifier in the location store of a location server, where the identifier represents a unique entity and the location represents a location of data pertaining to the identifier. The location server contains programming logic operative to provide responses to location queries and capable of scaling a plurality of location servers according to system performance and logistical requirements.

Claims

1-42. -42. (canceled)

43. A data location server network for retrieving data location information for data stored in a distributed network, wherein the distributed network includes a data repository configured to store data, each of the data associated with a respective identifier string, the data location server network comprising:

a plurality of data location servers, wherein each of the plurality of data location servers comprises a respective set of identifier strings, and a data location server map identifying each of the data location servers in the data location network; and

at least one of the plurality of data location servers comprising location information associated with a requested identifier string, and computer executable code configured to execute the following steps in response to receiving a data location request for the requested identifier string from a client;

if the data location server contains a data location information string associated with the requested identifier string provided in the data location request, transmitting the data location information string to the client, wherein the data location information string is configured to permit the client to calculate a location of the data associated with the requested identifier string; and

if the data location server does not contain the data location information string associated with the requested identifier string, transmitting a redirect message to the client, wherein the redirect message comprises a server map configured for use by the client to calculate a location of a correct data location server containing the location string, and wherein the server map is arranged such that the client will identify the correct data location server after a single failed request.

44. The data location server network of claim 43, wherein the plurality of data location servers is configured in a formal hierarchy.

45. The data location server network of claim 44, wherein the plurality of data location servers is configured in a logical hierarchy.

46. The data location server network of claim 43, wherein the at least one of the plurality of data location servers is configured to cooperate with the client to supply content delivery management services.

47. The data location server network of claim 43, wherein the at least at least one data location server is configured to cooperate with the client to support object sensing and tracking services.

48. The data location server network of claim 43, wherein the at least one data location server is configured to cooperate with the client to supply mobility management services.

49. The data location server network of claim 43, wherein the at least one data location server is configured to cooperate with the client to supply role-based telephone management services.

50. A data location server network for retrieving data location information for data stored in a distributed network, wherein the distributed network includes a data repository configured to store data associated with an identifier string, the data location server network comprising:

a plurality of data location servers, at least one of the plurality of data location servers containing location information associated with an identifier string, wherein each of the plurality of data location servers comprises a server map identifying the plurality of data location servers and the data location information available from each of the plurality of data location servers, and computer executable code configured to execute the following steps in response to receiving a data location request from a requesting agent;

if a data location server receiving the data location request contains a data location information string associated with the identifier string provided in the data location request, transmitting the data location information string to the requesting agent, wherein the data location information string is configured for use by the requesting agent to calculate a location of the data associated with the requested identifier string; and

if the data location server receiving the request does not contain the data location information string associated with the identifier string, transmitting a redirect request query message to a next location server, receiving the server map from the next location server, and calculating correct location data corresponding to the identifier string wherein the correct location data is transmitted to the requesting agent after no more than one redirect request.

51. The data location server network of claim 50, wherein the plurality of data location servers is configured in a formal hierarchy.

52. The data location server network of claim 50, wherein the plurality of data location servers is configured in a logical hierarchy.

53. The data location server network of claim 50, wherein the at least one data location server is configured to cooperate with the requesting agent to supply content delivery management services.

54. The data location server network of claim 50, wherein the at least one data location server is configured to cooperate with the requesting agent to support object sensing and tracking services.

55. The data location server network of claim 50, wherein the at least one data location server is configured to cooperate with the requesting agent to supply mobility management services.

56. The data location server network of claim 50, wherein the at least one data location server is configured to supply role-based telephone management services.