Interactive computer network and method of operation

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of Use

This invention relates generally to a distributed processing, interactive computer network intended to provide very large numbers of simultaneous users; e.g. millions, with access to an interactive service having large numbers; e.g., thousands, of applications which include pre-created, interactive text/graphic sessions; and more particularly, to a computer network in which the interactive text/graphic sessions are comprised of pre-created blocks of data and program instructions which may be distributed downwardly in the network for execution at software-enhanced user terminals that decrease processing demand on the higher-level network elements, thus permitting the higher-level elements to function primarily as data supply and maintenance resource and, thereby, reduce network complexity, cost and response time.

2. Prior Art

Interactive computer networks are not new. Traditionally they have included conventional, hierarchical architectures wherein a central, host computer responds to the information requests of multiple users. An illustration would be a time-sharing network in which multiple users, each at a remote terminal, log onto a host that provides data and software resource for sequentially receiving user data processing requests, executing them and supplying responses back to the users.

While such networks have been successful in making the processing power of large computers available to many users, problems have existed with them. For example, in such networks, the host has been required to satisfy all the user data processing requests. As a result, processing bottle-necks arise at the host that cause network slowdowns and compel expansion in computing resources; i.e., bigger and more complex computer facilities, where response times are sought to be held low in the face of increasing user populations.

Host size and complexity, however, are liabilities for interactive networks recently introduced to offer large numbers of the public access to transactional services such as home shopping, banking, and investment maintenance, as well as informational services concerning entertainment, business and personal matters.

As can be appreciated, commercial interactive networks must provide interesting and desirable transactional and informational services at low cost and with minimal response times in order to be successful. As a result, unlike military and governmental networks where, because of the compulsory nature of the service performed, costs and content are of secondary concern, in commercial services, the network capital and maintenance expenses must be kept low in order to make the network affordable and, the content maintained interesting to attract both users who would subscribe to the network and merchandisers who would rely on the service as a channel of distribution for their good and services. Further, in addition, to maintaining capital and operating costs low, and quality of content high, it is also essential that network response time be kept to a minimum in order to not only capture and hold the user's attention, but also, quickly free the network to satisfy the requests of other users. Accordingly, and as will be appreciated, the ability of the network to satisfy large numbers of user requests with minimal resources is fundamental to the ultimate success of a commercial, interactive network.

While conventional, previously known time-sharing network designs have attempted to alleviate host complexity and response time problems by providing some processing at the user site; i.e., "smart terminals", still, the storage of the principal data and software resources needed for processing applications at the host continues to create a burden on network complexity and response time which renders the conventional approach unsuited for the large numbers of users contemplated for a commercially viable interactive, informational and transactional network.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide method and apparatus which permit a very large number of users to obtain access to a large number of applications which include interactive text/graphic sessions that have been created to enable the users to obtain informational and transactional services.

It is a further object of this invention to provide method and apparatus which permit the data and program instructions necessary to support applications sessions to be distributed over a computer network.

It is still a further object of this invention to provide method and apparatus that would permit a user to access informational and transactional services available over an electronic gateway.

It is yet a further object of this invention to provide method and apparatus which permit the data and program instructions necessary to support applications sessions to be updated while at the user cites.

It is another object of this invention to provide method and apparatus that would permit informational and transactional services to be provided to users based upon predetermined parameters such as user demographics and/or locale.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide method and apparatus capable of collecting data regarding usage of the network and applications and to condition distribution in the network of data for supporting applications on user reaction to the applications.

Briefly, to achieve the above and other objects and features, the invention includes method and apparatus for operating an interactive network that includes a multiplicity of computer-based user reception systems at which respective users can request applications that include informational and transactional services. In preferred form, the method aspect of the invention includes steps for organizing the applications into objects that collectively include data and executable program instructions for generating the applications, as well as steps for distributing selected objects within the network in accordance with a predetermined plan based on the likelihood a user will request a particular application. Further, in preferred form, the method includes steps for supplying objects to a reception system requesting an application to enable the requesting reception system to selectively collect objects required for the application from the network and the requesting reception system so that the requested application may be presented based on the objects collected.

Further, in the apparatus aspect of the invention, the network in the preferred form includes one or more host computers, a plurality of concentrator computers connected in groups of one or more to each of the host computers, and a plurality of reception system computers connected in groups of one or more to each of the concentrator computers, the reception system computers being configured to permit respective users to enter requests for interactive applications. Additionally, the method aspect of operating the preferred form of the network apparatus includes steps for establishing data stores at the host computers, the concentrator computers and the reception system computers the data stores being substantially the same in form and, thereafter, distributing application data to data stores maintained, respectively, at the host computers, the concentrator computers and the reception system computers in accordance with a predetermined plan designed to reduce the time required to present a requested application.

Still further, the method aspect of operating the preferred form of the network apparatus includes supplying application data to a reception system computer requesting an application so that the requesting reception system computer can assemble the data which makes up the requested application by selectively collecting data from its own data store and the data stores of the respective host computer and concentrator computer to which it is connected.

Further, in preferred form, the method aspect of the invention, features use, of specially structured messages that harmonize and facilitate communications between the different elements of the network and computing elements external to the network that may be called upon to supply information to support the applications.

Also in preferred form, the method aspect of the invention features specially prepared program instructions within the objects that permit the objects to be executed at the reception system in conjunction with the application software.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and further objects, features and advantages of the invention will become clear from the following more detailed description when read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 a block diagram of the interactive computer network in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the network illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3a and 3b are plan views of a display screen presented to a user in accordance with the invention;

FIGS. 4a, 4b, 4c and 4d are schematic drawings that illustrate the structure of objects, and object segments utilized within the interactive network in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 5a is a schematic diagram that illustrates the configuration of the page template object in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 5b is a schematic diagram that illustrates page composition in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram that illustrates the protocol used by the reception system to support user applications in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram that illustrates major layers of the reception system in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram that illustrates native code modules of the reception system in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram that illustrates an example of a partitioned application to be processed by the reception system in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 10 illustrates generation of a page with a page processing table in accordance with the invention; and

FIG. 11 is a flow diagram for an aspect of the navigation method in accordance with the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

GENERAL SYSTEM DESCRIPTION

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the invention features a network 10 including a plurality of reception units within reception layer 401 for displaying information and providing transactional services. In this arrangement, many users each access network 10 with a conventional personal computer; e.g., one of the IBM or IBM-compatible type, which has been provided with application software in accordance with a preferred form of the invention to constitute a reception system (RS) 400.

As shown in FIG. 1, interactive network 10 uses a layered structure that includes an information layer 100, a switch/file server layer 200, and cache/concentrator layer 300 as well as reception layer 401. This structure maintains active application databases and delivers requested parts of the databases on demand to the plurality of RSs 400, shown in FIG. 2. As seen in FIG. 2, cache/concentrator layer 300 includes a plurality of cache/concentrator units 302, each of which serve a plurality of RS 400 units over lines 301. Additionally, switch/file server layer 200 is seen to include a server unit 205 connected to multiple cache/concentrator units 302 over lines 201. Still further, server unit 205 is seen to be connected to information layer 100 and its various elements, which act as means for producing, supplying and maintaining the network databases and other information necessary to support network 10. Continuing, switch/filer layer 200 is also seen to include gateway systems 210 connected to server 205. Gateways 210 couple layer 200 to other sources of information and data; e.g., other computer systems. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, layer 200, like layers 401 and 300 could also include multiple servers, gateways and information layers in the event even larger numbers of users were sought to be served.

Continuing with reference to FIG. 2, in preferred form, each RS 400 is seen to include a personal computer 405 having a CPU 410 including a microprocessor (as for example the type made by INTEL Corporation in its X'86 family of microprocessors), companion RAM and ROM memory and other associated elements, monitor 412 with screen 414 and a keyboard 424. Further, personal computer 405 may also include one or two floppy disk drives 416 for receiving diskettes 426 containing application software in accordance with this invention for supporting the interactive sessions with network 10 and diskettes 428 containing operating systems software; e.g., MS-DOS, suitable for the personal computer 405 being used. Personal computer 405 may also include a hard-disk drive 420 for storing the application software and operating system software which may be transferred from diskettes 426 and 428 respectfully.

Once so configured, each RS 400 provides: a common interface to other elements of interactive computer network 10; a common environment for application processing; and a common protocol for user application conversation which is independent of the personal computer brand used. RS 400 thus constitutes a universal terminal for which only one version of all applications on network 10 need be prepared, thereby rendering the applications interpretable by a variety of brands of personal computers of the IBM or IBM-compatible type.

RS 400 formulated in this fashion is capable of communication with the host system to receive information containing either of two types of data, namely objects and messages. Objects have a uniform, self-defining format known to RS 400, and include data types, such as interpretable programs and presentation data for display at monitor screen 414 of the user's personal computer. Applications presented at RS 400 are partitioned into objects which represent the minimal units available from the higher levels of interactive network 10 or RS 400. In this arrangement, each application partition typically represents one screen or a partial screen of information, including fields filled with data used in transactions with network 10. Each such screen, commonly called a page, is represented by its parts and is described in a page template object, discussed below.

Applications, having been partitioned into minimal units, are available from higher elements of network 10 or RS 400, and are retrieved on demand by RS 400 for interpretive execution. Thus, not all partitions of a partitioned application need be resident at RS 400 to process a selected partition, thereby raising the storage efficiency of the user's RS 400 and minimizing response time. Each application partition is an independent, self-contained unit and can operate correctly by itself. Each partition may refer to other partitions either statically or dynamically. Static references are built into the partitioned application, while dynamic references are created from the execution of program logic using a set of parameters, such as user demographics or locale. Partitions may be chosen as part of the RS processing in response to user created events, or by selecting a key word of the partitioned application (e.g., "JUMP" or "INDEX," discussed below), which provides random access to all services represented by partitioned applications having key words.

Objects provide a means of packaging and distributing partitioned applications. As noted, objects make up one or more partitioned applications, and are retrieved on demand by a user's RS 400 for interpretive execution and selective storage. All objects are interpreted by RS 400, thereby enabling applications to be developed independently of the personal computer brand used.

Objects may be nested within one another or referenced by an object identifier (object-id) from within their data structure. References to objects permit the size of objects to be minimized. Further, the time required to display a page is minimized when referenced objects are stored locally at RS 400 (which storage is determined by prior usage meeting certain retention criteria), or have been pre-fetched, or in fact, are already used for the current page.

Objects carry application program instructions and/or information for display at monitor screen 414 of RS 400. Application program objects, called pre-processors and post-processors, set up the environment for the user's interaction with network 10 and respond to events created when the user inputs information at keyboard 424 of RS 400. Such events typically trigger a program object to be processed, causing one of the following: sending of transactional information to the co-applications in one layer of the network 10; the receiving of information for use in programs or for presentation in application-dependent fields on monitor screen 414; or the requesting of a new objects to be processed by RS 400. Such objects may be part of the same application or a completely new application.

The RS 400 supports a protocol by which the user and the partitioned applications communicate. All partitioned applications are designed knowing that this protocol will be supported in RS 400. Hence, replication of the protocol in each partitioned application is avoided, thereby minimizing the size of the partitioned application.

RS 400 includes a means to communicate with network 10 to retrieve objects in response to events occurring at RS 400 and to send and receive messages.

RS 400 includes a means to selectively store objects according to a predetermined storage criterion, thus enabling frequently used objects to be stored locally at the RS, and causing infrequently used objects to forfeit their local storage location. The currency of objects stored locally at the RS 400 is verified before use according to the object's storage control parameters and the storage criterion in use for version checking.

Selective storage tailors the contents of the RS 400 memory to contain objects representing all or significant parts of partitioned applications favored by the user. Because selective storage of objects is local, response time is reduced for those partitioned applications that the user accesses most frequently.

Since much of the application processing formerly done by a host computer in previously known time-sharing networks is now performed at the user's RS 400, the higher elements of network 10, particularly layer 200, have as their primary functions the routing of messages, serving of objects, and line concentration. The narrowed functional load of the higher network elements permits many more users to be serviced within the same bounds of computer power and I/O capability of conventional host-centered architectures.

Network 10 provides information on a wide variety of topics, including, but not limited to news, industry, financial needs, hobbies and cultural interests. Network 10 thus eliminates the need to consult multiple information sources, giving users an efficient and timesaving overview of subjects that interest them.

The transactional features of interactive network 10 saves the user time, money, and frustration by reducing time spent traveling, standing in line, and communicating with sales personnel. The user may, through RS 400, bank, send and receive messages, review advertising, place orders for merchandise, and perform other transactions.

In the preferred embodiment, network 10 provides information and transaction processing services for a large number of users simultaneously accessing the network via the public switched telephone network (PSTN), broadcast, and/or other media with their RS 400 units. Services available to the user include display of information such as movie reviews, the latest news, airlines reservations, the purchase of items such as retail merchandise and groceries, and quotes and buy/sell orders for stocks and bonds. Network 10 provides an environment in which a user, via RS 400 establishes a session with the network and accesses a large number of services. These services are specifically constructed applications which as noted are partitioned so they may be distributed without undue transmission time, and may be processed and selectively stored on a user's RS 400 unit.

SYSTEM CONFIGURATION

As shown in FIG. 1, in preferred form interactive computer network 10 includes four layers: information layer 100, switch and file server layer 200, concentrator layer 300, and reception layer 401.

Information layer 100 handles: (1) the production, storage and dissemination of data and (2) the collection and off-line processing of such data from each RS session with the network 10 so as to permit the targeting of information to be presented to users and for traditional business support.

Switch and file server layer 200 and cache/concentrator layer 300 together constitute a delivery system 20 which delivers requested data to the RSs 400 of reception layer 401 and routes data entered by the user or collected at RSs 400 to the proper application in network 10. With reference to FIG. 2, the information used in a RS 400 either resides locally at the RS 400, or is available on demand from the cache/concentrator 300 or the file server 205, via the gateway 210, which may be coupled to external providers, or is available from information layer 100.

There are two types of information in the network 10 which are utilized by the RS 400: objects and messages.

Objects include the information requested and utilized by the RS 400 to permit a user to select specific parts of applications, control the flow of information relating to the applications, and to supply information to the network. Objects are self-describing structures organized in accordance with a specific data object architecture, described below. Objects are used to package presentation data and program instructions required to support the partitioned applications of a RS 400. Objects are distributed on demand throughout interactive network 10. Objects may contain: control information; program instructions to set up an application processing environment and to process user or network created events; information about what is to be displayed and how it is to be displayed; references to programs to be interpretively executed; and references to other objects, which may be called based upon certain conditions or the occurrence of certain events at the user's personal computer, resulting in the selection and retrieval of other partitioned applications packaged as objects.

Messages are information provided by the user or the network and are used in fields defined within the constructs of an object, and are seen on the user's RS monitor 412, or are used for data processing at RS 400. Additionally, and as more fully described hereafter, messages are the primary means for communication within and without the network. The format of messages is application dependent. If the message is input by the user, it is formatted by the partitioned application currently being processed on RS 400. Likewise, and with reference to FIG. 2, if the data are provided from a co-application database residing in delivery system 20, or accessed via gateway 210 or high function system 110 within the information layer 100, the partitioned application currently being processed on RS 400 causes the message data to be displayed in fields on the user's display monitor as defined by the particular partitioned application.

All active objects reside in file server 205. Inactive objects or objects in preparation reside in producer system 120. Objects recently introduced into delivery system 20 from the producer system 20 will be available from file server 205, but may not be available on cache/concentrator 302 to which the user's RS 400 has dialed. If such objects are requested by the RS 400, the cache/concentrator 302 automatically requests the object from file server 205. The requested object is routed back to the requesting cache/concentrator 302, which automatically routes it to the communications line on which the request was originally made, from which it is received by the RS 400.

The RS 400 is the point of application session control because it has the ability to select and randomly access objects representing all or part of partitioned applications and their data. RS 400 processes objects according to information contained therein and events created by the user on personal computer 405.

Applications on network 10 act in concert with the distributed partitioned applications running on RS 400. Partitioned applications constructed as groups of objects and are distributed on demand to a user's RS 400. An application partition represents the minimum amount of information and program logic needed to present a page or window, i.e. portion of a page presented to the user, perform transactions with the interactive network 10, and perform traditional data processing operations, as required, including selecting another partitioned application to be processed upon a user generated completion event for the current partitioned application.

Objects representing all or part of partitioned applications may be stored in a user's RS 400 if the objects meet certain criteria, such as being non-volatile, non-critical to network integrity, or if they are critical to ensuring reasonable response time. Such objects are either provided on diskettes 426 together with RS 400 system software used during the installation procedure or they are automatically requested by RS 400 when the user makes selections requiring objects not present in RS 400. In the latter case, RS 400 requests from cache/concentrator layer 300 only the objects necessary to execute the desired partitioned application.

Reception system application software 426 in preferred form is provided for IBM and IBM-compatible brands of personal computers 405, and all partitioned applications are constructed according to a single architecture which each such RS 400 supports. With reference to FIG. 2, to access network 10, a user preferably has a personal computer 405 with at least 512K RAM and a single disk drive 416. The user typically accesses network 10 using a 1,200 or 2,400 bps modem (not shown). To initiate a session with network 10, objects representing the logon application are retrieved from the user's personal diskette, including the R.S. application software, which was previously set up during standard installation and enrollment procedures with network 10. Once communication between RS 400 and cache/concentrator layer 300 has been established, the user begins a standard logon procedure by inputting a personal entry code. Once the logon procedure is complete, the user can begin to access various desired services (i.e., partitioned applications) which provide display of requested information and/or transaction operations.

APPLICATIONS AND PAGES

Applications, i.e. information events, are composed of a sequence of one or more pages opened at screen 414 of monitor 412. This is better seen with reference to FIGS. 3a and 3b were a page 255 is illustrated as might appear at screen 414 of monitor 412. With reference to FIG. 3a, each page 255 is formatted with a service interface having page partitions 250, 260, 280, and 290 (not to be confused with application partitions). Window page partitions 275, well known in the art, are also available and are opened and closed conditionally on page 255 upon the occurrence of an event specified in the application being run. Each page partition 250, 260, 280, and 290 and window 275 is made up of a page element which define the content of the partition or window.

Each page 255 includes: a header page partition 250, which has a page element associated with it and which typically conveys information on the page's topic or sponsor; one or more body page partitions 260 and window page partitions 275, each of which is associated with a page element which as noted gives the informational and transactional content of the page. For example, a page element may contain presentation data selected as a menu option in the previous page, and/or may contain prompts to which a user responds in pre-defined fields to execute transactions. As illustrated in FIG. 3b, the page element associated with body page partition 260 includes display fields 270, 271, 272. A window page partition 275 seen in FIG. 3a represents the same informational and transactional capability as a body partition, except greater flexibility is provided for its location and size.

Continuing with reference to FIG. 3a, advertising 280 provided over network 10, like page elements, also include information for display on page 255, and may be included in any partition of a page. Advertising 280 may be presented to the user on an individualized basis from queues of advertising that are constructed off-line by business system 130, and sent to file server 205 where they are accessible to each RS 400.

Individualized queues of advertising are constructed based upon data collected on the partitioned applications that were accessed by a user, and upon events the user generated in response to applications. The data are collected and reported by RS 400 to a data collection co-application in file server 205 for later transmission to business system 130. In addition to application access and use characteristics, a variety of other parameters, such as user demographics or postal ZIP code, may be used as targeting criteria. From such data, queues of advertising are constructed that are targeted to either individual users or to sets of users who fall into certain groups according such parameters. Stated otherwise, the advertising presented is individualized to the respective users based on characterizations of the respective users as defined by the interaction history with the serv