Method for transferring data files between computers in a network response to generalized application program instructions

• US 4,891,785 A
• Filed: 07/08/1988
• Issued: 01/02/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 07/08/1988
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Theodore J. Donohoo
• Original Assignee: Theodore J. Donohoo
• Inventors: Donohoo, Theodore J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Heckler, Thomas M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Mills, John G.
• Application Number:
  US07/216,770
• Time in Patent Office: 543 Days
• Field of Search: 364/200, 364/900
• US Class Current: 709/217
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]

Abstract

A method for transferring data files between processors in a linked network of computer processors, under applications program control operable in one or more of the processors, wherein a special applications program instruction is devised to cause the executing computer to process a utility program which identifies the data file being requested and transmits a request for such data file to another computer processor holding the data file. The computer processor holding the data file implements a special utility routine in response thereto, to first identify whether the requesting computer processor is authorized to receive the data file, and then transmits the data file to the requesting computer processor.

Claims

1. A method of transferring data files between computer processors linked together in a computer network, under application program control, comprising the steps of

(a) designating one or more computer processors having data files stored therein as HUB processors;

(b) designating one or more computer processors as RIM processors, each of said RIM processors having need for potential access to said data files;

(c) assigning a unique identity to each of said RIM processors and said data files potentially accessible by said RIM processors;

(d) tabulating the unique identities of all of said RIM processors and tabulating the unique identities of said data files in said HUB processor;

(e) devising a plurality of special application program instructions for execution by any of said RIM processors, each of said special application program instructions having a portion containing a unique data file identity;

(f) providing, in each of said RIM processors, means for decoding said plurality of special application program instructions, and for signaling said HUB processor with the identity of the RIM processor and the unique data file identity; and

(g) providing, in said HUB processor, means for transferring data files to the RIM processor identified as a result of step (f).

2. A method of organizing a plurality of computer processors linked together in a computer network for associative data file transfers therebetween, wherein one or more computer processors, designated as one or more hub processors, contain uniquely identified data a files which may be accessed, and one or more computer processors, designated as rim processors, contain applications programs which may require access to said uniquely identified data files;

and wherein each of said computer processors is operable under control of its own unique instruction set, including instructions for implementing data file transfers between computer processors, comprising the steps of

(a) assigning a unique identity to each of said rim processors and tabulating within a repertory file in each said rim processor the respective unique identities of the data files to which it may require access;

(b) tabulating within a repertory file in each said hub processor the unique identities of all of said data files which are contained within said hub processor, and tabulating within a gentry file in each said hub processor the respective unique identities of all of said rim processors which may be permitted to access respective data files in said hub processor;

(c) assigning a unique universal identifier to selected ones of said instructions in each computer processor'"'"'s respective unique instruction sets, said universal identifiers each designating the need for a data file transfer between a hub processor and rim processor, and selectively incorporating said universal identifiers into application program instructions executed by said rim processors;

whereby the execution by a rim processor of an instruction having one of said unique universal identifiers will cause said rim processor to transmit to said hub processors the rim processor'"'"'s unique identity and a requested data file unique identity, and each of said hub processors will examine its gentry file and its repertory file to determine whether the executing rim processor is permitted to access the requested data file, and said hub processor will transfer the requested data file to the executing rim processor if it determines the transfer is permitted.