On-line database updating network system and method

• US 5,694,596 A
• Filed: 05/25/1995
• Issued: 12/02/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Deep9 Corporation
• Original Assignee: Kangaroo, Inc. (Alimentation Couche-Tard Incorporated)
• Inventors: Campbell, R. David L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Black, Thomas G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Corrielus, Jean M.
• Application Number:
  US08/452,596
• Time in Patent Office: 922 Days
• Field of Search: 395/600, 395/610, 395/614, 395/3, 395/200.03, 395/200.11, 395/200.08, 395/200.15
• US Class Current: 709/216
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/275 Synchronous replication
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/959 Network
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99933 Query processing, i.e. searching
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99953 Recoverability

Abstract

An on-line database updating network system and method using object-oriented programming to build a program of discrete blocks, with each block being separately accessible, modifiable, and replaceable. The system includes a user terminal, a host terminal, and a communications channel. Origin dates of user module blocks of information stored in the user terminal are compared, over the communications channel, with origin dates of corresponding host module blocks of information stored in the host terminal. Host module blocks having origin dates more recent than corresponding user module blocks are downloaded as updated blocks over the communications channel to the user terminal. The downloaded updated blocks are then used to update the relevant user module blocks of information. Alternate host terminals may also be accessed by the user terminal, and updated alternate host module blocks of information may be downloaded to the user terminal.

Claims

1. A method for updating a database using an on-line network including a user terminal, a host terminal, an alternate host terminal, and a communications channel, the user terminal having a display, a data port, and a user-terminal memory for storing user modules of grouped information in a modules folder and in an alternate modules folder, each user-terminal-stored module including a plurality of user-module blocks, the host terminal having a host-terminal memory for storing modules of grouped information, each host-terminal-stored module including a plurality of host-module blocks, and the alternate host terminal having an alternate-host-terminal memory for storing modules of grouped information, each alternate-host-terminal-stored module including a plurality of alternate-host-module blocks, comprising the steps of:

activating the user terminal;

scanning, with the user terminal, the modules folder in the user-terminal memory for stored modules;

locating, in the user-terminal memory and responsive to scanning the modules folder, a first user-terminal-stored module having a first user origin date;

scanning, with the user terminal, the data port for the host terminal;

locating the host terminal on the data port;

connecting, through the communications channel, the user terminal to the host terminal;

scanning, with the user terminal, the host-terminal memory for stored modules;

locating a host-terminal-stored module, corresponding to the first user-terminal-stored-module, having a host origin date;

retrieving the first user origin date of the first user-terminal-stored module;

comparing, by the user terminal, the first user origin date to the host origin date;

scanning, responsive to the host origin date being more recent than the first user origin date, a first plurality of user-module blocks for a respective first plurality of user-module-block origin dates;

scanning the plurality of host-module blocks for a respective plurality of host-module-block origin dates;

comparing the first plurality of user-module-block origin dates to the plurality of host-module-block origin dates, respectively;

identifying a first host-module-block origin date, associated with a first host-module block within the first plurality of host-module blocks, more recent than a respective first user-module-block origin date, associated with a first user-module block within the plurality of user-module blocks;

downloading, over the communications channel, the first host-module block into the user-terminal memory as a host updated block;

updating, responsive to the host updated block, only the first user-module block within the first user-terminal-stored module;

scanning, with the user terminal, the alternate modules folder in the user-terminal memory for stored modules;

locating, in the user-terminal memory and responsive to scanning the alternate modules folder, a second user-terminal-stored module having a second user origin date;

scanning, with the user terminal, the data port for the alternate host terminal;

locating the alternate host terminal on the data port;

connecting, through the communications channel, the user terminal to the alternate host terminal;

scanning, with the user terminal, the alternate-host-terminal memory for stored modules;

locating an alternate-host-terminal-stored module, corresponding to the second user-terminal-stored-module, having an alternate host origin date;

retrieving the second user origin date of the second user-terminal-stored module;

comparing, by the user terminal, the second user origin date to the alternate host origin date;

scanning, responsive to the alternate host origin date being more recent than the second user origin date, a second plurality of user-module blocks for a respective second plurality of user-module-block origin dates;

scanning the plurality of alternate-host-module blocks for a respective plurality of alternate-host-module-block origin dates;

comparing the second plurality of user-module-block origin dates to the plurality of alternate-host-module-block origin dates, respectively;

identifying a first alternate-host-module-block origin date, associated with a first alternate-host-module block within the plurality of alternate-host-module blocks, more recent than a respective second user-module-block origin date, associated with a second user-module block within the second plurality of user-module blocks;

downloading, over the communications channel, the first alternate-host-module block into the user-terminal memory as an alternate-host updated block; and

updating, responsive to the alternate-host updated block, only the second user-module block within the second user-terminal-stored module.

2. The method as set forth in claim 1 further comprising, after the step of identifying a first host-module-block origin date, the steps of:

identifying a second host-module-block origin date, associated with a second host-module block within the plurality of host-module blocks, more recent than a respective third user-module-block origin date, associated with a third user-module block within the first plurality of user-module blocks;

downloading, over the communications channel, the first host-module block and the second host-module block into the user-terminal memory as host updated blocks; and

updating, responsive to said host updated blocks, corresponding user-module blocks within the user-terminal-stored module.

3. The method as set forth in claim 1, further comprising, after the step of comparing the first plurality of user-module block origin dates to the plurality of host-module block origin dates, for each of the first plurality of user-module blocks, the steps of:

identifying an n^th host-module-block origin date, associated with an n^th host-module block within the plurality of host-module blocks, more recent than a respective n^th user-module-block origin date, associated with an n^th user-module block within the first plurality of user-module blocks;

downloading the n^th host-module block into the user-terminal memory as an n^th host updated block; and

updating, responsive to and using the n^th host updated block, only the n^th user-module block within the first plurality of user-module blocks of the first user-terminal stored module.

4. The method as set forth in claim 1, further comprising, after the step of comparing the second plurality of user-module block origin dates to the plurality of alternate-host-module block origin dates, for each of the second plurality of user-module blocks, the steps of:

identifying an n^th alternate-host-module-block origin date, associated with an n^th alternate-host-module block within the plurality of alternate-host-module blocks, more recent than a respective n^th user-module-block origin date, associated with an n^th user-module block within the second plurality of user-module blocks;

downloading the n^th alternate host-module block into the user-terminal memory as an n^th alternate-host updated block; and

updating, responsive to and using the n^th alternate-host updated block, only the n^th user-module block within the second plurality of user-module blocks of the second user-terminal stored module.

5. The method as set forth in claim 1 further comprising, after the step of identifying a first host-module-block origin date, the steps of:

identifying a new host-module block within the plurality of host-module blocks, the new host-module block having no corresponding user module block within the first plurality of user-module blocks;

downloading, over the communications channel, the first host-module block and the new host-module block into the user-terminal memory as host updated blocks; and

updating the first user-terminal-stored module with the host updated blocks.

6. A method of updating a user database using an on-line network including a user terminal, a plurality of host terminals, and a communications channel, the user terminal having a display, a data port, and a user-terminal memory for storing modules of grouped information in a modules folder, each user-terminal-stored module including a plurality of user-module blocks, each host terminal of the plurality of host terminals having a host-terminal memory for storing modules of grouped information, each host-terminal-stored module including a plurality of host-module blocks, comprising the steps of:

starting up, responsive to user initiation, the user terminal;

scanning the modules folder of the user terminal for stored modules;

locating a user-terminal-stored module having a user origin date;

scanning the data port for a host terminal;

locating a host terminal on the data port;

connecting, through the communications channel, the user terminal to the host terminal;

scanning, by the user terminal, the host-terminal memory for stored modules;

locating a host-terminal-stored module, corresponding to the user-terminal-stored-module, having a host origin date;

retrieving the user origin date of the user-terminal-stored module;

comparing, by the user terminal, the user origin date to the host origin date;

scanning, responsive to the host origin date being more recent than the user origin date, a plurality of user-module blocks within the user-terminal-stored module for a respective plurality of user-module-block origin dates;

scanning a plurality of host-module blocks within the host-terminal stored-module for a respective plurality of host-module-block origin dates;

comparing a first user-module-block origin date to a corresponding first host-module-block origin date;

comparing a second user-module-block origin date to a corresponding second host-module-block origin date;

comparing an n^th user-module-block origin date to a corresponding n^th host-module-block origin date;

identifying a host-module-block origin date more recent than a respective user-module-block-origin date as a newer origin date;

downloading, over the communications channel, only a host-module block associated with the newer origin date into the user-terminal memory as an updated block;

replacing, with the updated block, only a user-module-block corresponding to the updated block; and

updating the user origin date.

7. The method as set forth in claim 6, further comprising, after the step of updating the user origin date, the steps of:

disconnecting the user terminal from the host terminal;

locating an n^th host terminal of the plurality of host terminals on the data port;

connecting, through the communications channel, the user terminal to the n^th host terminal;

scanning, by the user terminal, an n^th host-memory for stored modules;

locating an n^th -host-terminal-stored module, corresponding to the user-terminal-stored module, having an n^th -host origin date;

retrieving, from the user terminal, the user origin date of the user-terminal-stored module;

comparing, by the user terminal, the user origin date to the n^th -host origin date;

scanning, responsive to the n^th -host origin date being more recent than the user origin date, the plurality of user-module blocks for the respective plurality of user-module-block origin dates;

scanning a plurality of n^th -host-module blocks for a respective plurality of n^th -host-module-block origin dates;

comparing the plurality of user-module block origin dates to the plurality of n^th -host-module-block origin dates, respectively;

identifying an n^th -host-module-block origin date, associated with an n^th -host-module block within the n^th -host-terminal-stored module, more recent in time than a respective user-module-block origin date associated with a user-module block within said user-terminal-stored module;

downloading, over the communications channel, only the nth-host-module block into the user-terminal memory as a downloaded updated block;

replacing only the user-module block within said user-terminal-stored module corresponding with the downloaded updated block; and

updating the user origin date of said user-terminal-stored module.

8. The method as set forth in claim 6 wherein the host-module block associated with the newer origin date corresponds to a first user-module-block having the first user-module-block origin date.

9. The method as set forth in claim 8, further comprising, after the step of updating the user origin date, the steps of:

disconnecting the user terminal from the host terminal;

locating an n^th host terminal of the plurality of host terminals on the data port;

connecting, through the communications channel, the user terminal to the n^th host terminal;

scanning, by the user terminal, an n^th host-memory for stored modules;

locating an n^th -host-terminal-stored module, corresponding to the user-terminal-stored module, having an n^th -host origin date;

retrieving, from the user terminal, the user origin date of the user-terminal-stored module;

comparing, by the user terminal, the user origin date to the n^th -host origin date;

scanning, responsive to the n^th -host origin date being more recent than the user origin date, the plurality of user-module blocks for the respective plurality of user-module-block origin dates;

scanning a plurality of n^th -host-module blocks for a respective plurality of n^th -host-module-block origin dates;

comparing the plurality of user-module block origin dates to the plurality of n^th -host-module-block origin dates, respectively;

identifying an n^th -host-module-block origin date, associated with an n^th -host-module block within the n^th -host-terminal-stored module, more recent in time than a respective user-module-block origin date associated with a user-module block within said user-terminal-stored module;

downloading, over the communications channel, only the n^th -host-module block into the user-terminal memory as a downloaded updated block;

replacing only the user-module block within said user-terminal-stored module corresponding with the downloaded updated block; and

updating the user origin date of said user-terminal-stored module.

10. The method as set forth in claim 9 wherein the n^th -host-module block corresponds to the first user-module-block.

11. The method as set forth in claim 9 wherein the n^th -host-module block corresponds to a second user-module-block having the second user-module-block origin date.

12. A method of updating databases using an on-line network including a user terminal, a host terminal, and a communications channel, the user terminal having a display, a data port, and a user-terminal memory for storing modules of grouped information in a modules folder, each user-terminal-stored module including a plurality of user-module blocks, the host terminal having a host-terminal memory for storing modules of grouped information, each host-terminal-stored module including a plurality of host-module blocks, comprising the steps of:

starting up the user terminal;

scanning the modules folder for stored modules;

locating a user-terminal-stored module having a user origin date;

scanning the data port for the host terminal;

locating the host terminal on the data port;

connecting, through the communications channel, the user terminal to the host terminal;

scanning, by the user terminal, the host-terminal memory for stored modules;

locating a host-terminal-stored module, corresponding to the user-terminal-stored-module, having a host origin date;

retrieving the user origin date of the user-terminal-stored module;

comparing, by the user terminal, the user origin date to the host origin date;

scanning, responsive to the host origin date being more recent than the user origin date, the plurality of user-module blocks for a respective plurality of user-module-block origin dates;

scanning the plurality of host-module blocks for a respective plurality of host-module-block origin dates;

comparing a first user-module-block origin date to a corresponding first host-module-block origin date;

comparing a second user-module-block origin date to a corresponding second host-module-block origin date;

comparing an n^th user-module-block origin date to a corresponding n^th host-module-block origin date;

identifying host-module-block origin dates more recent than respective corresponding user-module-origin dates as replacement origin dates;

downloading, over the communications channel, responsive to the first host-module-block-origin date being more recent than the first user-module-block origin date, a first-host-module block associated with the first host-module-block-origin date into the user-terminal memory;

downloading, over the communications channel, responsive to the second host-module-block-origin date being more recent than the second user-module-block origin date, a second-host-module block associated with the second host-module-block-origin date into the user-terminal memory;

downloading, over the communications channel, responsive to the n^th host-module-block-origin date being more recent than the n^th user-module-block origin date, an n^th -host-module block associated with the n^th host-module-block-origin date into the user-terminal memory; and

updating only those user-module blocks within the user-terminal-stored module corresponding with the first host-module-block, the second-host-module block, and the n^th -host-module block.

13. A communications network for selectively updating a plurality of user module blocks of information, said communications network comprising:

a communications channel;

a user terminal, operatively coupled to said communications channel, for retrieving updated module blocks of information through said communications channel, said user terminal including,

a user memory for storing a plurality of user modules, each of said plurality of user modules having a plurality of user module blocks of information;

a user processor for scanning said user memory for a user module and, responsive to locating a user module, for accessing said communications channel; and

a host terminal, operatively coupled to said user terminal through said communications channel, for sending host module blocks of information to said user terminal, said host terminal including,

a host memory for storing a plurality of host modules, each of said plurality of host modules having a plurality of host module blocks of information;

a host processor, responsive to a first host module block of information being more recent than a corresponding first user module block of information, for sending, over said communications channel, the first host module block of information; and

an alternate host terminal, operatively coupled to said user terminal through said communications channel, for sending alternate host module blocks of information to said user terminal, said alternate host terminal including,

an alternate host memory for storing a plurality of alternate host modules, each of said plurality of alternate host modules having a plurality of alternate host module blocks of information; and

an alternate host processor, responsive to a first alternate host module block of information being more recent than a corresponding user module block of information for sending, over said communications channel, the first alternate host module block of information.

14. The communications network as set forth in claim 13, said alternate host terminal further comprising an alternate host input device for inputting data to said alternate host terminal.

15. The communications network as set forth in claim 13, with the plurality of module blocks of information stored in said alternate host memory including at least one of a non-updated-alternate-host-module block of information and an updated-alternate-host-module block of information.

16. A communications network as set forth in claim 13, with said user processor, responsive to receiving the origin date for the alternate host module block of information, for comparing the origin date for the alternate host module block of information to a corresponding user-module-block-of-information origin date and, responsive to determining the origin date for the alternate host module block of information to be more recent than the corresponding user-module-block-of-information origin date, for downloading the alternate host module block of information to said user memory.

17. The communications network as set forth in claim 13, said host terminal further comprising a host input device for inputting data to said host terminal.

18. A method of updating a plurality of user module blocks within a user module using a network, the network including a user terminal, a plurality of host terminals, and a communications channel, the user terminal having a user memory for storing user modules, each stored user module including a plurality of user-module blocks, each host terminal of the plurality of host terminals having a host memory for storing host modules, each stored host module including a plurality of host-module blocks, comprising the steps of:

scanning the user memory for a stored user module;

locating a user module, the user module having a user module origin date;

locating a first host terminal of the plurality of host terminals on the communications channel;

connecting, through the communications channel, the user terminal to the first host terminal;

scanning a first host memory for a stored host module;

locating a stored host module, corresponding to the user module, the stored host module having a host module origin date;

comparing the user module origin date to the host module origin date;

scanning, responsive to the host module origin date being more recent than the user module origin date, a plurality of user-module blocks within said user module for a respective plurality of user-module-block origin dates;

scanning a plurality of host-module blocks within said stored host module for a respective plurality of host-module-block origin dates;

comparing the plurality of user-module-block origin dates to the plurality of host-module-block origin dates, respectively;

identifying a first host-module-block origin date, associated with a first host-module block within the plurality of host-module blocks, more recent in time than a respective first user-module-block origin date, associated with a first user-module block within the plurality of user-module blocks;

downloading over the communications channel, the first host-module block into the user-terminal memory as a downloaded updated block;

replacing the first user-module block with the downloaded updated block;

updating the user module origin date and the user-module-block origin date;

disconnecting the user terminal from the first host terminal;

locating a second host terminal of the plurality of host terminals on the communications channel;

connecting, through the communications channel, the user terminal to the second host terminal;

scanning a second-host-memory for a stored second-host module;

locating a stored second-host module, corresponding to the user module, having a second-host-module origin date;

comparing the user module origin date to the second-host-module origin date;

scanning, responsive to the second-host-module origin date being more recent than the user module origin date, the plurality of user-module blocks for a respective plurality of user-module-block origin dates;

scanning a plurality of second-host-module blocks for a respective plurality of second-host-module-block origin dates;

comparing the plurality of user-module-block origin dates to the plurality of second-host-module-block origin dates, respectively;

identifying a first second-host-module-block origin date, associated with a first second-host-module block within the stored second-host module, more recent in time than a respective second user-module-block origin date, associated with a second user-module block within said user module;

downloading, over the communications channel, the first second-host-module block into the user-terminal memory as a downloaded updated block;

replacing the second user-module block within said user module with the downloaded updated block; and

updating the user module origin date and the second user-module-block origin date.

19. A method for updating a plurality of user modules stored in a memory of a user terminal, the user terminal being coupled to a host terminal and to an alternate host terminal via a communications channel, the host terminal having a host memory storing a plurality of host modules, the alternate host terminal having an alternate host memory storing a plurality of alternate host modules, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) locating in the user terminal memory a first user module;

(b) locating in the host memory a host module corresponding to the first user module;

(c) comparing the first user module to the host module and, responsive to the host module being more recent than the first user module;

(i) scanning a first plurality of user-module blocks within the first user module;

(ii) scanning a plurality of host-module blocks within the host module;

(iii) identifying a first host-module block within the host module, more recent than a respective first user-module block within the first user module;

(iv) downloading, over the communications channel, the first host-module block into the user memory as a host updated block; and

(v) updating, responsive to the host updated block, the first user-module block within the first user module;

(d) identifying in the user terminal memory a second user module;

(e) identifying in the alternate host memory an alternate-host module corresponding to the second user module; and

(f) comparing the second user module to the alternate-host module and, responsive to the alternate-host module being more recent than the second user module;

(i) scanning a second plurality of user-module blocks within the second user module;

(ii) scanning a plurality of alternate-host-module blocks within the alternate host module;

(iii) identifying a first alternate-host-module block within the alternate-host module, more recent than a respective second user-module block within the second user module;

(iv) downloading, over the communications channel, the first alternate-host-module block into the user terminal memory as an alternate-host updated block; and

(v) updating, responsive to the alternate-host updated block, the second user-module block within the second user module.

20. A method of updating a plurality of user-module blocks of information using a network including a user terminal and a plurality of host terminals connected by a communications channel, the user terminal having a user-terminal memory for storing a plurality of user modules, each user-terminal-stored module including a plurality of user-module blocks, each host terminal of the plurality of host terminals having a host-terminal memory for storing host modules, each host-terminal-stored stored module including a plurality of host-module blocks, comprising the steps of:

scanning the user-terminal memory for a stored user module;

locating a user-terminal-stored module;

scanning the host-terminal memory for a stored host module;

locating a host-terminal-stored module corresponding to the user-terminal-stored-module;

comparing, responsive to the host-terminal-stored module being more recent than the user-terminal-stored module, a plurality of user-module blocks within the user-terminal-stored module and a plurality of host-module blocks within the host-terminal stored-module;

downloading, over the communications channel, responsive to a first host-module block being more recent than a corresponding first user-module block, the first host-module block into the user-terminal memory;

downloading, over the communications channel, responsive to a second host-module block being more recent than a corresponding second user-module block, the second host-module block into the user-terminal memory;

downloading, over the communications channel, responsive to an n^th host-module block being more recent than a corresponding n^th user-module block, the n^th host-module block into the user-terminal memory; and

updating the first user-module block, the second user-module block, and the n^th user-module block with the first host-module block, the second host-module block, and the n^th host-module block, respectively.

21. A method of updating a plurality of user module blocks using a network including a user terminal and a host terminal connected by a communications channel, the user terminal having a user-terminal memory for storing user modules, each user module including a plurality of user-module blocks, the host terminal having a host-terminal memory for storing host modules, each host module including a plurality of host-module blocks, comprising the steps of:

identifying in the user-terminal memory a user module;

identifying in the host-terminal memory a host module corresponding to the user module;

comparing, responsive to the host module being more recent than the user module, a plurality of user-module blocks within the user module and a plurality of host-module blocks within the host module;

identifying a first host-module block corresponding to a first user-module block;

downloading, over the communications channel, responsive to the first host-module block being more recent than the first user-module block, the first host-module block into the user-terminal memory;

identifying a second host-module block corresponding to a second user-module block;

downloading, over the communications channel, responsive to the second host-module block being more recent than the second user-module block, the second host-module block into the user-terminal memory;

identifying an n^th host-module block corresponding to an n^th user-module block;

downloading, over the communications channel, responsive to the n^th host-module block being more recent than the n^th user-module block, the n^th host-module block into the user-terminal memory; and

updating the first user-module block, the second user-module block and the n^th user-module block within the user module with the first host-module block, the second host-module block, and the n^th host-module block, respectively.