Method and apparatus for creating condition sets and extraction programs to identify and retrieve data from files in a network
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of operating a computer network for permitting a user to identify and retrieve data from files stored on computers in the network, each of the files including a plurality of fields having data stored therein, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) receiving into a first computer in the network an identification of a file;
(b) receiving into the first computer location information representative of the identity and location of a second computer in the network where the file is stored;
(c) receiving into the first computer a condition set with criteria specifying a field within the file;
(d) in response to steps (a)-(c), creating in the network an extraction program operable by the second computer for locating and copying the field;
(e) sending the condition set and the extraction program to the second computer;
(f) directing the second computer in accordance with the extraction program to locate and copy the field from the file and to send the copied field to the first computer; and
(g) storing the copied field in a data repository file in a computer in the network that can be accessed by the user.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A data identification and retrieval method and apparatus is disclosed. The method is implemented with the aid of a computer program or programs that operate a computer network (10) for permitting a user to easily identify and retrieve data from files stored on any computer (14, 16, 18, 20) in the network regardless of the location of the computers, the format of the data and the storage medium on which the data is stored.
24 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method of operating a computer network for permitting a user to identify and retrieve data from files stored on computers in the network, each of the files including a plurality of fields having data stored therein, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) receiving into a first computer in the network an identification of a file; (b) receiving into the first computer location information representative of the identity and location of a second computer in the network where the file is stored; (c) receiving into the first computer a condition set with criteria specifying a field within the file; (d) in response to steps (a)-(c), creating in the network an extraction program operable by the second computer for locating and copying the field; (e) sending the condition set and the extraction program to the second computer; (f) directing the second computer in accordance with the extraction program to locate and copy the field from the file and to send the copied field to the first computer; and (g) storing the copied field in a data repository file in a computer in the network that can be accessed by the user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A data locating and extracting computer for identifying and extracting data from files stored on computers networked with the extracting computer, each of the files including a plurality of fields having data stored therein, the extracting computer comprising:
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means for receiving from a user computer networked with the extracting computer an identification of a file; means for receiving from the user computer location information representative of the identity and location of a production computer in the network where the file is stored; means for receiving from the user computer a condition set having criteria specifying a field within the file; means for creating an extraction program operable by the production computer for locating and copying the field from the production computer; and means for sending the condition set and the extraction program to the production computer to direct the production computer to locate and copy the field from the file and send the copied field to a computer accessible by the user. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification