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| United States Patent | 5664207 |
| Link to this page | http://www.wikipatents.com/5664207.html |
| Inventor(s) | Crumpler; Dennis M. (Atlanta, GA);
Estes; Robert B. (Atlanta, GA);
Jackson, Jr.; Kirby Bryan (Decatur, GA) |
| Abstract | Information is automatically shared among a plurality of remote/mobile data
processing nodes which are temporarily and intermittently linked to a data
processing server by distributing an information form to users
corresponding to first remote/mobile nodes. A user may complete the form
to create an instance of the form and define an instance distribution
list. The instance is automatically distributed to users corresponding to
the distribution list. As owner of the form, the user may also modify the
form, and these modifications are also automatically distributed to the
users at the third node. A second form may be linked to the form and
automatically distributed to the third nodes as well. When distributing a
file to a node, any other files which are required are also automatically
distributed. |
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Title Information  |
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Drawing from US Patent 5664207 |
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Systems and methods for automatically sharing information among
remote/mobile nodes |
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| Publication Date |
September 2, 1997 |
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| Filing Date |
December 16, 1994 |
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Title Information |
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References |
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| Market Size |
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Estimate the gross annual revenues of the relevant market
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| Reasonable Royalty |
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What percentage of gross sales should the inventor or assignee be paid?
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Public's "Guesstimation" of Royalty Value
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| Market Size | N/A | [No votes] | | x | Market Share | N/A | [No votes] | | x | Reasonable Royalty | N/A | [No votes] |
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Market Review |
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Technical Review |
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Claims |
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That which is claimed:
1. A method for automatically sharing information among a plurality of
remote/mobile data processing nodes which are temporarily and
intermittently linked to a data processing server for communication
therebetween, said automatic information sharing method comprising the
steps of:
placing an information form for entering information from a user at a
remote/mobile data processing node, on said server;
identifying said form as being sharable;
assigning a form distribution list to said form to identify users
corresponding to first remote/mobile nodes;
establishing a remote/mobile communications link to at least one node of
said first remote/mobile nodes;
automatically transferring said form to said at least one node of said
first remote/mobile nodes, in response to establishment of the
remote/mobile communications link to said at least one node of said first
remote/mobile nodes;
disconnecting said remote/mobile communications link from said at least one
node of said first remote/mobile nodes;
accepting user entry of information into said form at a second remote
mobile node selected from said first remote/mobile nodes to thereby create
an instance of said form at said second remote/mobile node;
assigning an instance distribution list to said instance of said form to
identify users corresponding to third remote/mobile nodes selected from
said first remote/mobile nodes;
establishing a remote/mobile communications link between said second node
and said server;
automatically transferring said instance of said form to said server, in
response to establishment of the remote/mobile link between said second
node and said server;
disconnecting said remote/mobile communications link between said second
node and said server;
establishing a remote/mobile communications link between said server and at
least one node of said third remote/mobile nodes;
automatically transferring said instance from said server to said at least
one node of said third remote/mobile nodes, in response to establishment
of the remote/mobile link between said server and said at least one node
of said third remote/mobile nodes; and
disconnecting said remote/mobile communications links between said server
and said at least one node of said third remote/mobile nodes.
2. An automatic information sharing method according to claim 1 further
comprising the steps of:
placing a second information form for entering information from a user at a
remote/mobile data processing node, on said server;
linking said second information form to said information form;
assigning said form distribution list to said second form to identify said
users corresponding to first remote/mobile nodes;
establishing a remote/mobile communications link to at least one node of
said first remote/mobile nodes;
automatically transferring said second form to said at least one node of
said first remote/mobile nodes, in response to establishment of the
remote/mobile communications link to said at least one node of said first
remote/mobile nodes;
disconnecting said remote/mobile communications link from said at least one
node of said first remote/mobile nodes;
accepting user entry of information into said second form at a fourth
remote mobile node selected from said third remote/mobile nodes to thereby
create an instance of said second form at said fourth remote/mobile node;
establishing a remote/mobile communications link between said fourth
remote/mobile node and said server;
automatically transferring said instance of said second form to said
server, in response to establishment of said remote/mobile communications
link between said fourth remote/mobile node and said server;
disconnecting said remote/mobile communications link between said fourth
remote/mobile node and said server;
establishing remote/mobile communications links between said server and at
least one node of said third remote/mobile nodes;
automatically transferring said instance of said second form from said
server to said at least one node of said third remote/mobile nodes, in
response to establishment of the remote/mobile communications link between
said server and said at least one node of said third remote/mobile nodes;
and
disconnecting said remote/mobile communications links between said server
and said at least one node of said third remote/mobile nodes.
3. An automatic information sharing method according to claim 1:
wherein said step of assigning a form distribution list to said form to
identify users corresponding to first remote/mobile nodes is performed at
said server;
wherein said step of assigning an instance distribution list to said
instance of said form to identify users corresponding to third
remote/mobile nodes is performed at said second node; and
wherein said step of transferring said instance of said form to said server
further comprises the step of transferring said instance distribution list
to said server.
4. An automatic information sharing method according to claim 2 wherein
said step of creating an instance of said second form at a fourth
remote/mobile node comprises the steps of:
viewing said instance of said form at said fourth remote/mobile node;
launching said instance of said second form at said fourth remote/mobile
node; and
completing said instance of said second form at said fourth remote/mobile
node.
5. An automatic information sharing method according to claim 1 further
comprising the steps of:
modifying said instance of said form at said second remote/mobile node;
transmitting the modifications to said server; and
transmitting the modifications from said server to said third remote/mobile
nodes.
6. An automatic information sharing method according to claim 5 further
comprising the step of:
replacing corresponding information in said instance of said form at said
third remote/mobile nodes with the modifications.
7. An automatic information sharing method according to claim 5 wherein
said step of transmitting the modifications from said server to said third
remote/mobile nodes comprises the steps of:
determining whether said modifications originated from said second
remote/mobile node; and
transmitting the modifications to said third remote/mobile nodes only if
the modifications originated from said second remote/mobile node.
8. An automatic information sharing method according to claim 2 further
comprising the steps of:
modifying said instance of said second form at said fourth remote/mobile
node;
transmitting the modifications to said server; and
transmitting the modifications from said server to said third remote/mobile
nodes.
9. An automatic information sharing method according to claim 8 further
comprising the step of:
replacing corresponding information in said instance of said second form at
said third remote/mobile nodes with the modifications.
10. An automatic information sharing method according to claim 8 wherein
said step of automatically transmitting the modifications from said server
to said third remote/mobile nodes comprises the steps of:
determining whether said modifications originated from said fourth
remote/mobile node; and
transmitting the modifications to said third remote/mobile nodes only if
the modifications originated from said fourth remote/mobile node.
11. An automatic information sharing method according to claim 1 wherein
said step of automatically transferring said form to at least one node of
said first remote/mobile nodes comprises the steps of:
identifying files which are required in order to use said form;
probing said at least one node of said first nodes in order to determine if
the identified files are present at said at least node one of said first
remote/mobile nodes; and
automatically transferring the identified files from said server to said at
least one node of said first remote/mobile nodes if the identified files
are not present at said at least one node of said first remote/mobile
nodes.
12. A method for automatically sharing information among a plurality of
remote/mobile data processing nodes which are temporarily and
intermittently linked to a data processing server for communication
therebetween, said automatic information sharing method comprising the
steps of:
placing an information form for entering information from a user at a
remote/mobile data processing node, on said server;
identifying said form as being sharable;
assigning a form distribution list to said form to identify users
corresponding to first remote/mobile nodes;
establishing a remote/mobile communications link to at least one node of
said first remote/mobile nodes;
automatically transferring said form to said at least one node of said
first remote/mobile nodes;
disconnecting said remote/mobile communications link from said at least one
node of said first remote/mobile nodes;
accepting user entry of information into said form at a second
remote/mobile node selected from said first remote/mobile nodes to thereby
create an instance of said form at said second remote/mobile node;
assigning an instance distribution list to said instance of said form to
identify users corresponding to third remote/mobile nodes selected from
said first remote/mobile nodes;
establishing a remote/mobile communications link between said second node
and said server;
automatically transferring said instance of said form to said server, in
response to establishment of the remote/mobile communications link between
said second node and said server;
disconnecting said remote/mobile communications link between said second
node and said server;
establishing a remote/mobile communications link between said server and at
least one node of said third remote/mobile nodes;
automatically transferring said instance from said server to said at least
one node of said third remote/mobile nodes, in response to establishment
of the remote/mobile communications link between said server and said at
least one node of said third remote/mobile nodes;
disconnecting said remote/mobile communications links between said server
and said at least one node of said third remote/mobile nodes;
modifying said instance of said form at said second remote/mobile node;
establishing a remote/mobile communications link between said second node
and said server;
transmitting the modifications to said server;
disconnecting said remote/mobile communications link between said second
node and said server;
establishing a remote/mobile communications link between said server and at
least one node of said third remote/mobile nodes;
automatically transmitting the modifications from said server to said at
least one node of said third remote/mobile nodes, in response to
establishment of the remote/mobile communications link between said server
and said at least one node of said third remote/mobile nodes; and
disconnecting said remote/mobile communications links between said server
and said at least one node of said third remote/mobile nodes.
13. An automatic information sharing method according to claim 12 further
comprising the steps of:
placing a second information form for entering information from a user at a
remote/mobile data processing node, on said server;
linking said second information form to said information form;
assigning said form distribution list to said second form to identify said
users corresponding to first remote/mobile nodes;
establishing a remote/mobile communications link to at least one node of
said first remote/mobile nodes;
automatically transferring said second form to said at least one node of
said first remote/mobile nodes, in response to establishment of the
communications link to said at least one node of said first remote/mobile
nodes;
disconnecting said remote/mobile communications link from said at least one
node of said first remote/mobile nodes;
accepting user entry of information into said second form at a fourth
remote/mobile node selected from said third remote/mobile nodes to thereby
create an instance of said second form at said fourth remote/mobile node;
establishing a remote/mobile communications link between said fourth
remote/mobile node and said server;
automatically transferring said instance of said second form to said
server, in response to establishment of the remote/mobile communications
link between said fourth remote/mobile node and said server;
disconnecting said remote/mobile communications link between said fourth
remote/mobile node and said server;
establishing a remote/mobile communications link between said server and at
least one node of said third remote/mobile nodes;
automatically transferring said instance of said second form from said
server to said at least one node of said third remote/mobile nodes, in
response to establishment of the remote/mobile communications link between
said server and said at least one node of said third remote/mobile nodes;
and
disconnecting said remote/mobile communications link between said server
and said at least one node of said third remote/mobile nodes.
14. An automatic information sharing method according to claim 12:
wherein said step of assigning a form distribution list to said form to
identify users corresponding to first remote/mobile nodes is performed at
said server;
wherein said step of assigning an instance distribution list to said
instance of said form to identify users corresponding to third
remote/mobile nodes is performed at said second node; and
wherein said step of transferring said instance of said form to said server
further comprises the step of transferring said instance distribution list
to said server.
15. An automatic information sharing method according to claim 13 wherein
said step of creating an instance of said second form at a fourth
remote/mobile node comprises the steps of:
viewing said instance of said form at said fourth remote/mobile node;
launching said instance of said second form at said fourth remote/mobile
node; and
completing said instance of said second form at said fourth remote/mobile
node.
16. An automatic information sharing method according to claim 12 further
comprising the step of:
replacing corresponding information in said instance of said form at said
at least one node of said third remote/mobile nodes with the
modifications.
17. An automatic information sharing method according to claim 12 wherein
said step of automatically transmitting the modifications from said server
to said at least one node of said third remote/mobile nodes comprises the
steps of:
determining whether said modifications originated from said second
remote/mobile node; and
transmitting the modifications to said at least one node of said third
remote/mobile nodes only if the modifications originated from said second
remote/mobile node.
18. An automatic information sharing method according to claim 13 further
comprising the steps of:
modifying said instance of said second form at said fourth remote/mobile
node;
transmitting the modifications to said server; and
transmitting the modifications from said server to said third remote/mobile
nodes.
19. An automatic information sharing method according to claim 18 further
comprising the step of:
replacing corresponding information in said instance of said second form at
said third remote/mobile nodes with the modifications.
20. An automatic information sharing method according to claim 18 wherein
said step of automatically transmitting the modifications from said server
to said third remote/mobile nodes comprises the steps of:
determining whether said modifications originated from said fourth
remote/mobile node; and
transmitting the modifications to said third remote/mobile nodes only if
the modifications originated from said fourth remote/mobile node.
21. An automatic information sharing method according to claim 12 wherein
said step of transferring said form to at least one of said first
remote/mobile nodes comprises the steps of:
identifying files which are required in order to use said form;
probing said at least one of said first nodes in order to determine if the
identified files are present at said at least one of said first
remote/mobile nodes; and
transferring the identified files from said server to said at least one of
said first remote/mobile nodes if the identified files are not present at
said at least one of said first remote/mobile nodes.
22. A computer program storage device which tangibly embodies a program of
instructions executable on a plurality of remote/mobile data processing
nodes which are temporarily and intermittently linked to a data processing
server for communication therebetween, to perform a method for
automatically sharing information among the plurality of remote/mobile
data processing nodes which are temporarily and intermittently linked to
the data processing server for communication therebetween, said automatic
information sharing method comprising the steps of:
placing an information form for entering information from a user at a
remote/mobile data processing node, on said server;
identifying said form as being sharable;
assigning a form distribution list to said form to identify users
corresponding to first remote/mobile nodes;
establishing a remote/mobile communications link to at least one node of
said first remote/mobile nodes;
automatically transferring said form to said at least one node of said
first remote/mobile nodes, in response to establishment of the
remote/mobile communications link to said at least one node of said first
remote/mobile nodes;
disconnecting said remote/mobile communications link from said at least one
node of said first remote/mobile nodes;
accepting user entry of information into said form at a second remote
mobile node selected from said first remote/mobile nodes to thereby create
an instance of said form at said second remote/mobile node;
assigning an instance distribution list to said instance of said form to
identify users corresponding to third remote/mobile nodes selected from
said first remote/mobile nodes;
establishing a remote/mobile communications link between said second node
and said server;
automatically transferring said instance of said form to said server, in
response to establishment of the remote/mobile link between said second
node and said server;
disconnecting said remote/mobile communications link between said second
node and said server;
establishing a remote/mobile communications link between said server and at
least one node of said third remote/mobile nodes;
automatically transferring said instance from said server to said at least
one node of said third remote/mobile nodes, in response to establishment
of the remote/mobile link between said server and said at least one node
of said third remote/mobile nodes; and
disconnecting said remote/mobile communications links between said server
and said at least one node of said third remote/mobile nodes.
23. A computer program storage device according to claim 2 wherein said
method further comprises the steps of:
placing a second information form for entering information from a user at a
remote/mobile data processing node, on said server;
linking said second information form to said information form;
assigning said form distribution list to said second form to identify said
users corresponding to first remote/mobile nodes;
establishing a remote/mobile communications link to at least one node of
said first remote/mobile nodes;
automatically transferring said second form to said at least one node of
said first remote/mobile nodes, in response to establishment of the
remote/mobile communications link to said at least one node of said first
remote/mobile nodes;
disconnecting said remote/mobile communications link from said at least one
node of said first remote/mobile nodes;
accepting user entry of information into said second form at a fourth
remote mobile node selected from said third remote/mobile nodes to thereby
create an instance of said second format said fourth remote/mobile node;
establishing a remote/mobile communications link between said fourth
remote/mobile node and said server;
automatically transferring said instance of said second form to said
server, in response to establishment of said remote/mobile communications
link between said fourth remote/mobile node and said server;
disconnecting said remote/mobile communications link between said fourth
remote/mobile node and said server;
establishing remote/mobile communications links between said server and at
least one node of said third remote/mobile nodes;
automatically transferring said instance of said second form from said
server to said at least one node of said third remote/mobile nodes, in
response to establishment of the remote/mobile communications link between
said server and said at least one node of said third remote/mobile nodes;
and
disconnecting said remote/mobile communications links between said server
and said at least one node of said third remote/mobile nodes.
24. A computer program storage device according to claim 22:
wherein said step of assigning a form distribution list to said form to
identify users corresponding to first remote/mobile nodes is performed at
said server;
wherein said step of assigning an instance distribution list to said
instance of said form to identify users corresponding to third
remote/mobile nodes is performed at said second node; and
wherein said step of transferring said instance of said form to said server
further comprises the step of transferring said instance distribution list
to said server.
25. A computer program storage device according to claim 23 wherein said
step of creating an instance of said second form at a fourth remote/mobile
node comprises the steps of:
viewing said instance of said form at said fourth remote/mobile node;
launching said instance of said second form at said fourth remote/mobile
node; and
completing said instance of said second form at said fourth remote/mobile
node.
26. A computer program storage device according to claim 22 wherein said
method further comprises the steps of:
modifying said instance of said form at said second remote/mobile node;
transmitting the modifications to said server; and
transmitting the modifications from said server to said third remote/mobile
nodes.
27. A computer program storage device according to claim 26 wherein said
method further comprises the step of:
replacing corresponding information in said instance of said form at said
third remote/mobile nodes with the modifications.
28. A computer program storage device according to claim 26 wherein said
step of transmitting the modifications from said server to said third
remote/mobile nodes comprises the steps of:
determining whether said modifications originated from said second
remote/mobile node; and
transmitting the modifications to said third remote/mobile nodes only if
the modifications originated from said second remote/mobile node.
29. A computer program storage device according to claim 23 wherein said
method further comprises the steps of:
modifying said instance of said second form at said fourth remote/mobile
node;
transmitting the modifications to said server; and
transmitting the modifications from said server to said third remote/mobile
nodes.
30. A computer program storage device according to claim 29 wherein said
method further comprises the step of:
replacing corresponding information in said instance of said second form at
said third remote/mobile nodes with the modifications.
31. A computer program storage device according to claim 29 wherein said
step of automatically transmitting the modifications from said server to
said third remote/mobile nodes comprises the steps of:
determining whether said modifications originated from said fourth
remote/mobile node; and
transmitting the modifications to said third remote/mobile nodes only if
the modifications originated from said fourth remote/mobile node.
32. A computer program storage device according to claim 22 wherein said
step of automatically transferring said form to at least one node of said
first remote/mobile nodes comprises the steps of:
identifying files which are required in order to use said form;
probing said at least one node of said first nodes in order to determine if
the identified files are present at said at least node one of said first
remote/mobile nodes; and
automatically transferring the identified files from said server to said at
least one node of said first remote/mobile nodes if the identified files
are not present at said at least one node of said first remote/mobile
nodes.
33. A computer program storage device which tangibly embodies a program of
instructions executable on a plurality of remote/mobile data processing
nodes which are temporarily and intermittently linked to a data processing
server for communication therebetween, to perform a method for
automatically sharing information among the plurality of remote/mobile
data processing nodes which are temporarily and intermittently linked to
the data processing server for communication therebetween, said automatic
information sharing method comprising the steps of:
placing an information form for entering information from a user at a
remote/mobile data processing node, on said server;
identifying said form as being sharable;
assigning a form distribution list to said form to identify users
corresponding to first remote/mobile nodes;
establishing a remote/mobile communications link to at least one node of
said first remote/mobile nodes;
automatically transferring said form to said at least one node of said
first remote/mobile nodes;
disconnecting said remote/mobile communications link from said at least one
node of said first remote/mobile nodes;
accepting user entry of information into said form at a second
remote/mobile node selected from said first remote/mobile nodes to thereby
create an instance of said form at said second remote/mobile node;
assigning an instance distribution list to said instance of said form to
identify users corresponding to third remote/mobile nodes selected from
said first remote/mobile nodes;
establishing a remote/mobile communications link between said second node
and said server;
automatically transferring said instance of said form to said server, in
response to establishment of the remote/mobile communications link between
said second node and said server;
disconnecting said remote/mobile communications link between said second
node and said server;
establishing a remote/mobile communications link between said server and at
least one node of said third remote/mobile nodes;
automatically transferring said instance from said server to said at least
one node of said third remote/mobile nodes, in response to establishment
of the remote/mobile communications link between said server and said at
least one node of said third remote/mobile nodes;
disconnecting said remote/mobile communications links between said server
and said at least one node of said third remote/mobile nodes;
modifying said instance of said form at said second remote/mobile node;
establishing a remote/mobile communications link between said second node
and said server;
transmitting the modifications to said server;
disconnecting said remote/mobile communications link between said second
node and said server;
establishing a remote/mobile communications link between said server and at
least one node of said third remote/mobile nodes;
automatically transmitting the modifications from said server to said at
least one node of said third remote/mobile nodes, in response to
establishment of the remote/mobile communications link between said server
and said at least one node of said third remote/mobile nodes; and
disconnecting said remote/mobile communications links between said server
and said at least one node of said third remote/mobile nodes.
34. A computer program storage device according to claim 33 wherein said
method further comprises the steps of:
placing a second information form for entering information from a user at a
remote/mobile data processing node, on said server;
linking said second information form to said information form;
assigning said form distribution list to said second form to identify said
users corresponding to first remote/mobile nodes;
establishing a remote/mobile communications link to at least one node of
said first remote/mobile nodes;
automatically transferring said second form to said at least one node of
said first remote/mobile nodes, in response to establishment of the
communications link to said at least one node of said first remote/mobile
nodes;
disconnecting said remote/mobile communications link from said at least one
node of said first remote/mobile nodes;
accepting user entry of information into said second form at a fourth
remote/mobile node selected from said third remote/mobile nodes to thereby
create an instance of said second form at said fourth remote/mobile node;
establishing a remote/mobile communications link between said fourth
remote/mobile node and said server;
automatically transferring said instance of said second form to said
server, in response to establishment of the remote/mobile communications
link between said fourth remote/mobile node and said server;
disconnecting said remote/mobile communications link between said fourth
remote/mobile node and said server;
establishing a remote/mobile communications link between said server and at
least one node of said third remote/mobile nodes;
automatically transferring said instance of said second form from said
server to said at least one node of said third remote/mobile nodes, in
response to establishment of the remote/mobile communications link between
said server and said at least one node of said third remote/mobile nodes;
and
disconnecting said remote/mobile communications link between said server
and said at least one node of said third remote/mobile nodes.
35. A computer program storage device according to claim 33:
wherein said step of assigning a form distribution list to said form to
identify users corresponding to first remote/mobile nodes is performed at
said server;
wherein said step of assigning an instance distribution list to said
instance of said form to identify users corresponding to third
remote/mobile nodes is performed at said second node; and
wherein said step of transferring said instance of said form to said server
further comprises the step of transferring said instance distribution list
to said server.
36. A computer program storage device according to claim 34 wherein said
step of creating an instance of said second form at a fourth remote/mobile
node comprises the steps of:
viewing said instance of said form at said fourth remote/mobile node;
launching said instance of said second form at said fourth remote/mobile
node; and
completing said instance of said second form at said fourth remote/mobile
node.
37. A computer program storage device according to claim 33 wherein said
method further comprises the step of:
replacing corresponding information in said instance of said form at said
at least one node of said third remote/mobile nodes with the
modifications.
38. A computer program storage device according to claim 33 wherein said
step of automatically transmitting the modifications from said server to
said at least one node of said third remote/mobile nodes comprises the
steps of:
determining whether said modifications originated from said second
remote/mobile node; and
transmitting the modifications to said at least one node of said third
remote/mobile nodes only if the modifications originated from said second
remote/mobile node.
39. A computer program storage device according to claim 34 wherein said
method further comprises the steps of:
modifying said instance of said second form at said fourth remote/mobile
node;
transmitting the modifications to said server; and
transmitting the modifications from said server to said third remote/mobile
nodes.
40. A computer program storage device according to claim 39 wherein said
method further comprises the step of:
replacing corresponding information in said instance of said second form at
said third remote/mobile nodes with the modifications.
41. A computer program storage device according to claim 39 wherein said
step of automatically transmitting the modifications from said server to
said third remote/mobile nodes comprises the steps of:
determining whether said modifications originated from said fourth
remote/mobile node; and
transmitting the modifications to said third remote/mobile nodes only if
the modifications originated from said fourth remote/mobile node.
42. A computer program storage device according to claim 33 wherein said
step of transferring said form to at least one of said first remote/mobile
nodes comprises the steps of:
identifying files which are required in order to use said form;
probing said at least one of said first nodes in order to determine if the
identified files are present at said at least one of said first
remote/mobile nodes; and
transferring the identified files from said server to said at least one of
said first remote/mobile nodes if the identified files are not present at
said at least one of said first remote/mobile nodes. |
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Claims |
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Description |
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to data processing systems and methods and more
particularly to systems and methods for linking a plurality of data
processing systems for communication therebetween.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Since the early days of computing, data processing systems have been linked
to users via communications networks. Initially, a host or mainframe
computer was linked to user terminals. With the advent of the personal
computer, "intelligent workstations" have been linked to host computers.
As more and more computing systems have become personal computer based,
personal computers have been linked into Local Area Networks (LAN) which
are managed by a server to provide client/server applications. These
client/server networks can also be linked to mainframe and other
computers.
Traditional LAN-based client/server networks, and most other computer
networks, assume a near-ideal operating environment. In particular, LANs
assume continuously connected users who are computer literate. Since the
LAN connections between computers are hard wired, error-free reliable
connections are assumed. Thus, the LAN-based client/server environment
allows knowledge-workers and PC professionals to operate in a near ideal
environment.
Unfortunately, traditional LAN-based client/server networks poorly serve
the needs of important classes of users, referred to herein as
"remote/mobile" users. As used herein, "remote/mobile" means "temporarily
and intermittently linked", wherein temporarily means "lasting for a
limited time" and intermittently means "coming and going at intervals, not
continuous, or occasional". An example of remote/mobile users is
point-of-sale terminals in a chain of, for example, 5,000 retail stores,
where each point-of-sale terminal needs to connect to the headquarters
central computer for short periods of time for communication therebetween,
rather than continuously. Another example of remote/mobile users is a
mobile sales force which typically uses laptop computers and connects with
the home office for short periods of time from various locations, such as
hotels, customer sites or cars.
Users of remote/mobile computers, such as laptop and notebook computers,
point-of-sale systems, personal computers, personal digital assistants and
the like are typically "transactional" workers rather than knowledge
workers, and are not typically PC literate. They need to link to a central
office on a temporary and intermittent basis to obtain information from
the central office or to transfer information to the central office. The
connections between the remote/mobile node and the data processing server
may use switched wire or wireless connections. Accordingly, communications
tend to be slow and unreliable.
Traditional LAN-based client/server systems have attempted to meet the
needs of remote/mobile users by allowing remote dial-in to the LAN.
However, remote dial-in has heretofore worked effectively only for small
numbers of remote/mobile users, and has used a LAN-based paradigm which is
not amenable to the unique requirements of the remote/mobile user.
A major breakthrough in remote/mobile computing was provided with the
introduction of RemoteWear versions 1.0-1.4 by XcelleNet, Inc., Atlanta,
Ga., assignee of the present invention. The RemoteWare systems provided a
communication model which was specifically geared to remote/mobile
environments. One or more RemoteWare servers can be connected to a LAN to
control the exchange of information between a central site and hundreds or
thousands of remote/mobile computers and their users and applications. The
RemoteWare server provides information management, resource management,
scheduling, communication services, information monitoring and control
services needed by large numbers of remote/mobile users who are
temporarily and intermittently linked to the remote/mobile network.
Communications between the server and the remote/mobile nodes are designed
to keep connect time at a minimum. Thus, the connection cost is minimized
and the time that the transactional worker needs to spend connected to the
central system are minimized. Moreover, the system is designed to support
low bandwidth and unreliable connections.
RemoteWare Versions 1.0-1.4 include an application which provides a remote
transactional management system. The remote transactional management
system, designated as "RemoteWare FORMS" includes a forms editor which is
used to create forms with graphics, fields, text and bitmaps. Once
completed, the form becomes an application that can be assigned to a
remote/mobile users desktop. Once the form is assigned to a user's
desktop, the system sends the form to the users to whom that user desktop
is assigned. A forms node program displays the form at the node. The node
user enters the required information on the form. The node user then posts
the completed form which is automatically sent to the RemoteWare server.
If routing has been enabled for the form, the user may forward a data set
to another user and sends copies to others via a messaging service. The
data may be viewed in the context of the form in which it was entered, and
may be printed. The RemoteWare FORMS system is described in a publication
entitled "RemoteWare FORMS and RemoteWare QUERY Reference Manual, Software
Release 1.3", Copyright 1993, XcelleNet, Inc.
Notwithstanding the ability to create and route forms to remote/mobile
users which was provided with the introduction of RemoteWare Version
1.0-1.4, there continues to be a need to provide improved methods and
systems for automatically sharing information among users of remote/mobile
computers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides methods and systems for automatically sharing
information among remote/mobile users. Many business processes require
automatic sharing of information among large numbers of remote/mobile
users. For example, a remote/mobile sales or service force may need access
to a customer profile for a particular customer. The customer profile may
need to be updated with address changes and other changes, an | | |
