U.S. PATENT AND TRADEMARK OFFICE
Information Products Division |
U.S. Patent Classification System - Classification Definitions
as of June 30, 2000
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Class 709
ELECTRICAL COMPUTERS AND DIGITAL PROCESSING SYSTEMS:
MULTIPLE COMPUTER OR PROCESS COORDINATING
Class Definition:
GENERAL STATEMENT OF THE CLASS SUBJECT MATTER
This class provides for an electrical computer or digital
data processing system or corresponding data processing
method including method or apparatus for transferring data or
instruction information between a plurality of computers or
processes wherein the computers or processes employ the data
or instructions before or after transferring and the
employing affects said transfer of data or instruction
information. The class includes the following subject
matter:
A. Process or apparatus for administrating process or job
execution over a digital data processing system.
B. Process or apparatus for transferring data among a
plurality of spatially distributed (i.e. situated, at plural
locations) computers or digital data processing systems via
one or more communications media (e.g., computer networks).
C. Process or apparatus for exchanging data or messages
between two executing programs or processes, generally
independent of the hardware used in the communication.
D. Process or apparatus for synchronizing control or
regulation of clocking or timing operations of two or more
processors.
SCOPE OF THE CLASS
This class is limited to digital data processing systems and
functions for transferring unspecified data or instruction
information and the processing thereof by digital data
processing systems. Systems concerned with movement or
processing of other specific types of information and digital
signals, per se, are classified elsewhere. See the SEE OR
SEARCH CLASS notes below.
LINES WITH OTHER CLASSES AND WITHIN THIS CLASS
A. Electrical Computers and Data Processing Systems, Related
Systems and Functions in General
(1) Systems directed to a specific end use of information,
for example, sensor data processed by a computer means for
control purposes in systems classified external to this
class, are classified elsewhere. See the SEE OR SEARCH CLASS
notes below.
B. Communications Classes
This class includes significant data processing in
combination with communication of data, and allowed types of
information, amongst digital data processing systems. For
multiplexing see the SEE OR SEARCH CLASS notes below. For
systems directed to selective communication systems. See the
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS notes below. For systems directed to
communication techniques such as pulse or digital
communications. See the SEE OR SEARCH CLASS notes below.
Ii
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
235, Registers, various subclasses for basic machines and
associated indicating mechanisms for ascertaining the number
of movements of various devices and machines, plus machines
made from these basic machines alone (e.g., cash registers,
voting machines), and in combination with various perfecting
features, such as printers and recording means, and for
various data bearing record controlled systems.
326, Electronic Digital Logic Circuitry, appropriate
subclasses for generic digital logic devices, circuitry, and
subcombinations thereof, wherein operations other than
arithmetical are performed upon discrete electrical signals
representing a value normally described by numerical digits.
340, Communications: Electrical, 825 for controlling one or
more devices to obtain a plurality of results by transmission
of a designated one of plural distinctive control signals
over a smaller number of communication lines or channels,
particularly subclass 825.02 for tree or cascade selective
communication, subclasses 825.03+ for channel selection,
subclass 825.05 for a plurality of controlled devices
connected by a communication line in a closed series
configuration, subclasses 825.06+ for communication systems
where status of a controlled device is communicated,
subclasses 825.2+ for synchronizing selective communication
systems, subclasses 825.5+ for lockout or priority in
selective communication systems, subclasses 825.52+ for
addressing, and subclasses 825.57+ for pulse responsive
actuation in selective communication.
341, Coded Data Generation or Conversion, subclasses 50-172
for electrical pulse and digit code converters (e.g., systems
for originating or emitting a coded set of discrete signals
or translating one code into another code wherein the meaning
of the data remains the same but the formats may differ).
345, Computer Graphics Processing, Operator Interface
Processing, And Selective Visual Display Systems, 1 for
visual display systems with selective electrical control
including display memory organization and structure for
storing image data and manipulating image data between a
display memory and display device, and subclasses 30+ for the
selective control of two or more light generating or light
controlling display elements in accordance with a received
image signal.
360, Dynamic Magnetic Information Storage or Retrieval,
appropriate subclasses, for record carriers and systems
wherein information is stored and retrieved by interaction
with a magnetic medium and there is relative motion between
said magnetic medium and a transducer, for example, a
magnetic disk drive device, and control thereof, per se.
364, Electrical Computers and Data Computer Systems, 130 for
data computer control systems where there is a nominal claim
recitation of an device or apparatus and nominal data
computer or computer structure claimed and when there is no
class providing for the device or apparatus, and subclasses
400+ for applications of computers in various environments
where there is significant claim recitation of the data
computer system or calculating computer and only nominal
recitation of an external art environment (where significant
structure of an external device is claimed, classification is
in the appropriate device class).
365, Static Information Storage and Retrieval, various
subclasses for addressable static singular storage elements
or plural singular storage elements of the same type (i.e.,
the internal elements of memory, per se).
369, Dynamic Information Storage or Retrieval, various
subclasses for record carriers and systems wherein
information is stored and retrieved by interaction with a
medium and there is relative motion between a medium and a
transducer.
370, Multiplex Communications, appropriate subclasses, for
the simultaneous transmission of two or more signals over a
common medium, particularly 351 for multiplex switching.
375, Pulse or Digital Communications, various subclasses for
generic pulse or digital communication systems and
synchronization of clocking signals from input data.
377, Electrical Pulse Counters, Pulse Dividers, and Shift
Registers: Circuits and Systems, various subclasses for
generic electric circuits for pulse counting
379, Telephonic Communications, various subclasses for
two-way electrical communication of intelligible audio
information of arbitrary content over a communication link
380, Cryptography, appropriate subclasses and particularly 3
for stored computer access or copy prevention (e.g., software
program protection or computer virus detection) in
combination with data encryption, and subclasses 22 through
25 and 50 for electric signal modification.
381, Electrical Audio Signal Processing Systems and Devices,
various subclasses for wired one-way audio systems, per se.
382, Image Analysis, various subclasses for operations
performed on image data with the aim of measuring a
characteristic of an image, detecting variations, detecting
structures, or transforming the image data, and for
procedures for analyzing and categorizing patterns present in
image data.
388, Electricity: Motor Control Systems, cross-reference art
collection 907.5 for computer or processor control of DC
motor acceleration or speed.
395, Information Processing System Organization, appropriate
subclasses for organization of information processing
systems.
455, Telecommunications, appropriate subclasses for modulated
carrier wave communication, per se, and subclass 26.1 for
subject matter which blocks access to a signal source or
otherwise limits usage of modulated carrier equipment
701, Data Processing: Vehicles and Navigation, appropriate
subclasses, for applications of computers in vehicular and
navigational environments.
702, Data Processing: Measuring and Testing, appropriate
subclasses, for applications of computers in measuring and
testing.
704, Data Processing: Speech Signal Processing, Linguistics,
Language Translation, and Audio Compression/Decompression, 1
for applications of computers in linguistics, subclasses 200+
for applications of computers in speech signal processing,
and subclasses 500 to 504 for applications of computers in
audio compression/decompression.
705, Data Processing: Financial, Business Practice,
Management, or Cost/Price Determination, various subclasses,
for applications of computers and calculators in business and
management environments.
706, Data Processing: Artificial Intelligence, various
subclasses, for subject matter directed to artificial
intelligence data computer which is disclosed or claimed in
plural diverse arts both in combination and in the
alternative (e.g., digital data computer system for use in
image analysis or electrical audio signal computer, and for
artificial intelligence per se).
707, Data Processing: Databases and File Management, Data
Structures, and Document Processing, subclasses 1-206 for
database processing and subclasses 500+ for document
processing.
708, Data Processing: Arithmetic Processing and Calculating;
1 for hybrid computers; and subclasses 100+ for calculators,
digital signal computer, and arithmetical and logical
computer, per se; and subclasses 800+ for electric analog
computers.
710, Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems:
Input/Output, various subclasses, for computer input or
output.
711, Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems:
Memory, appropriate subclasses, for memory addressing and
management in a computer system.
712, Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems:
Processing Architecture and Instruction Processing (e.g.,
Processors), various subclasses, for computer architecture
and instruction processing.
713, Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems:
Support, 1 for digital data processing system initialization
and configuration (e.g., initializing, setup, configuration,
resetting), subclasses 100 for reconfiguring digital data
computer system (e.g., changing system settings), subclasses
200+ for computer security, subclasses 300+ for computer
power control, subclasses 400+ for synchronization of
computer clocks, data, signals, or pulses, and subclasses
500+ for computer clock, pulse, or timing signal generation
or analysis.
714, Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems:
Error Detection/Correction and Fault Detection/Recovery,
various subclasses for detecting or correcting errors in
generic electrical pulse or pulse data and for detecting and
recovering from faults of computers, digital data computer
systems, and logic level based systems.
Iii
ACCESS
To obtain entry to, or to locate, read into memory, and make
ready for, some operation, for example, regarding disks,
files, records, and network entry procedures.
APPLICATION PROGRAM
A computer program designed to perform a certain type of
work, such as an application to manipulate text, numbers,
graphics, or a combination of these elements. An application
differs from an operating system (which runs a computer), a
utility (which performs maintenance or general-purpose
chores), and a language (with which computer programs are
created).
BUS
A conductor used for transferring data, signals, or power.
COMPUTER
A machine that inputs data, processes data, stores data, and
outputs data.
DATA
Representation of information in a coded manner suitable for
communication, interpretation, or processing. Address data:
data that represent or identify a source or destination.
Instruction data: data that represent an operation and
identify its operands, if any. Status data: data that
represent conditions of data, digital data processing
systems, computers, peripherals, memory, etc. Streamed data:
data consisting of a more-or-less continuous series of bits,
bytes, or other small, structurally uniform units. User data:
data other than address data, instruction data, or status
data.
Representation of information in a coded manner suitable for
communication, interpretation, or processing. Address data:
data that represent or identify a source or destination.
Instruction data: data that represent an operation and
identify its operands, if any. Status data: data that
represent conditions of data, digital data processing
systems, computers, peripherals, memory, etc. Streamed data:
data consisting of a more-or-less continuous series of bits,
bytes, or other small, structurally uniform units. User data:
data other than address data, instruction data, or status
data.
Representation of information in a coded manner suitable for
communication, interpretation, or processing. Address data:
data that represent or identify a source or destination.
Instruction data: data that represent an operation and
identify its operands, if any. Status data: data that
represent conditions of data, digital data processing
systems, computers, peripherals, memory, etc. Streamed data:
data consisting of a more-or-less continuous series of bits,
bytes, or other small, structurally uniform units. User data:
data other than address data, instruction data, or status
data.
Representation of information in a coded manner suitable for
communication, interpretation, or processing. Address data:
data that represent or identify a source or destination.
Instruction data: data that represent an operation and
identify its operands, if any. Status data: data that
represent conditions of data, digital data processing
systems, computers, peripherals, memory, etc. Streamed data:
data consisting of a more-or-less continuous series of bits,
bytes, or other small, structurally uniform units. User data:
data other than address data, instruction data, or status
data.
Representation of information in a coded manner suitable for
communication, interpretation, or processing. Address data:
data that represent or identify a source or destination.
Instruction data: data that represent an operation and
identify its operands, if any. Status data: data that
represent conditions of data, digital data processing
systems, computers, peripherals, memory, etc. Streamed data:
data consisting of a more-or-less continuous series of bits,
bytes, or other small, structurally uniform units. User data:
data other than address data, instruction data, or status
data.
Representation of information in a coded manner suitable for
communication, interpretation, or processing. Address data:
data that represent or identify a source or destination.
Instruction data: data that represent an operation and
identify its operands, if any. Status data: data that
represent conditions of data, digital data processing
systems, computers, peripherals, memory, etc. Streamed data:
data consisting of a more-or-less continuous series of bits,
bytes, or other small, structurally uniform units. User data:
data other than address data, instruction data, or status
data.
DATA PROCESSING
See PROCESSING, below.
DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING SYSTEM
An arrangement of processor(s) in combination with either
memory or peripherals, or both, performing data processing.
ENTITY
A computer or process that can be treated as a unit and,
often, as a member of a particular category or type.
ENVIRONMENT
A set of resources made available to the user of a system
which defines specifications such as the command path (where
to look for files), the system prompt and, sometimes, the
location of resources or working files.
INFORMATION
Meaning that a human being assigns to data by means of the
conventions applied to that data.
INTERFACE
A connection between two elements so that they can work with
one another.
MEMORY
A functional unit to which data can be stored and from which
data can be retrieved.
MULTITASKING
A mode of operation in which a computer works on more than
one task at a time.
NETWORK
A group of computers and associated devices that are
connected by communications facilities which exists to
provide computer users with the means of communicating and
transferring information electronically. Some types of
communication are simple user-to-user messages; others, of
the type known as distributed processes, can involve several
computers and the sharing of workloads or cooperative efforts
in performing a task.
OBJECT
A variable comprising routines and data that is treated as a
discrete entity.
OPERATING SYSTEM
Software responsible for controlling the allocation and usage
of hardware resources such as memory, central processing unit
(CPU) time, disk space, and peripheral devices. The
operating system is the foundation on which applications
programs (e.g.; word processing, spreadsheets) are built.
PERIPHERAL
A functional unit that transmits data to or receives data
from a computer to which it is coupled.
PROCESS
A coherent sequence of steps undertaken by a program to
manipulate data such as an internal or external data-transfer
operation, handling an interrupt, or evaluation of a
function.
PROCESSING
Methods or apparatus performing systematic operations upon
data or information exemplified by functions such as data or
information transferring, merging, sorting, and computing
(e.g., arithmetic operations or logical operations).
(1) Note. In this class, the glossary term data is used to
modify processing in the term data processing; whereas the
term digital data processing system refers to a machine
performing data processing.
(2) Note. In an effort to avoid redundant constructions, in
this class, where appropriate, the term address data
processing is used in place of address data processing.
PROCESSOR
A functional unit that interprets and executes instruction
data.
PROTOCOL
A set of rules or processes which enable computers to
exchange information with as little error as possible.
RESOURCE
Any part of computer system or a network, such as a disk
drive, printer, or memory, that can be allotted to a program
or process while it is running. In programming, a resource
can be used by more than one program or in more than one
place in a program; for example, dialog boxes, bitmaps, and
fonts are resources in many windowing programs.
ROUTING
Receiving transmitted messages within a network and
forwarding them to their correct destinations over a
available route selected according to a predetermined
criteria.
SERVER
A computer running administrative software that controls
access to all or part of a network and its resources (such as
disk drives and printers). A computer acting as a server
makes resources available to computers acting as workstations
on the network.
SYNCHRONIZATION
Matching of timing between separate computers or among the
components of a system so that all are coordinated.
TASK
A standalone application or a subprogram that is run as an
independent entity.
THREAD
A path of processing execution within a larger process or
program.
TRANSFER
The movement of data from one location to another or the
passing of program control from one portion of a program to
another.
SUBCLASSES
Subclass:
1
VIRTUAL MACHINE TASK OR PROCESS MANAGEMENT:
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Subject matter comprising means or steps operating on a
computer or digital data processing system which enable a
first type of processor to emulate and execute instructions
associated with one or more different types of processors.
(1) Note. This subclass is directed to subject matter
encompassing one or more virtual machines that execute in
single task, or multitasking, operating system environments.
(2) Note This subclass includes computers or digital data
processing systems executing a plurality of virtual machines
that are preemptively or nonpreemptively scheduled. For
example, Microsoft Windows 3.1 provides a Virtual Machine
Manager which schedules a plurality of DOS Virtual Machines
(which emulate the Intel 8086 real mode environment) along
with a single System Virtual Machine which cooperatively or
nonpreemptively runs Windows applications. DOS applications
are preemptively multitasked by the Virtual Machine Manager
along with the System Virtual Machine, with each Virtual
Machine receiving a time slice. Other schedulers that do not
schedule virtual machines are classified elsewhere. See the
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS notes below.
(3) Note. This subclass includes means or steps for
mimicking the performance of one processing device within
another processing device. For example, a software program
that allows applications written for a first computer to be
executed on a different second computer interpreting the
machine instructions for the first computer, thereby becoming
a virtual machine.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
100 for task management, per se, especially subclasses 107
and 108 directed to multitasking and context switching.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
395, Information Processing System Organization, subclass 500
and 527 for compatibility, emulation, or simulation of
systems or system components.
711, Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems:
Memory, subclass 6 for accommodating addressing requirements
for software emulation of a target computer or digital data
processing system on a base computer or digital data
processing system, and subclasses 202+ for address mapping
and virtual addressing, per se.
712, Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems:
Processing Architecture and Instruction Processing (e.g.
Processors), subclass 228 for computer control and
instruction computer for context preserving, and subclass 229
for computer control and instruction computer for mode switch
or change.
Subclass:
100
TASK MANAGEMENT OR CONTROL:
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Subject matter comprising means or steps for administrating
over processor or job execution in a digital data processing
system.
(1) Note. For clarification, a "process" and a "task" are
equivalent terms in the art, in addition, a "thread" is a
path of execution within a process.
(2) Note. Control functions such as subroutine calling and
control are classified elsewhere. See the SEE OR SEARCH CLASS
notes below.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
1 for virtual machine task or process management.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
700, Data Processing: Generic Control Systems or Specific
Applications, subclasses 1-89 for generic control systems,
and subclasses 99-102 for manufacturing control systems that
involves accommodating for interrelated control and
manufacturing processes and resource allocation.
712, Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems:
Processing Architecture and Instruction Processing (e.g.,
Processors), 220 for control functions such as subroutine
calling and control.
Subclass:
101
Batch or transaction processing:
This subclass is indented under subclass 100. Subject matter
comprising means or steps directed to (a) managing processes
by collecting, listing, and storing jobs for later sequential
execution as a group without user intervention (i.e., batch
processing), or (b) executing jobs immediately after they are
received by a system and occurring in groups (i.e.,
transaction processing).
(1) Note. Data processing where jobs are executed on a
computer immediately after they are received by the system is
properly classified here, however, interpreters which
interpret and execute one instruction at a time are
classified elsewhere. See the SEE OR SEARCH CLASS notes
below.
(2) Note. Subject matter of this subclass may include
transaction processing and job processing between multiple
processors, computers, or digital data processing systems and
may involve user intervention.
(3) Note. The term "batch" historically takes on slightly
different meaning depending on the scale of the data
processing system. In a microcomputer a stored batch file
contains a "batch" of operating system commands to be
executed automatically when the batch file is invoked. On
larger systems, jobs and their associated data are typically
collected and stored for later processing as a "batch".
(4) Note. This subclass is directed to process transactions,
per se. Database transaction processing and business
transaction processing are classified elsewhere. See the SEE
OR SEARCH CLASS noted below.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
395, Information Processing System Organization, 705, for
compilers and program code translators, per se.
705, Data Processing: Financial, Business Practice,
Management, or Cost/Price Determination, 7 for operations
research, per se, including systems directed to generalized
linear programming problem solving and cost function
analysis, resource allocating in business transaction
processing and scheduling of interrelated processes.
707, Data Processing-Database and File Management, Data
Structures, or Document Processing, 1 for database accessing
and control.
712, Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems:
Processing Architecture and Instruction Processing (e.g.,
Processors), 220 for interpreters which interpret and
execute one instruction at a time.
Subclass:
102
Process scheduling:
This subclass is indented under subclass 100. Subject matter
comprising means or steps for scheduling multiple tasks based
upon any considered factors, e.g., priority of execution,
balancing the work load or resources, memory use, register
use, resource availability, time constraints, etc.
(1) Note. Included here is task assignment, (i.e., deciding
which processor or other resources will be used to execute
one or more tasks).
(2) Note. Signaling, semaphores, and mutual exclusion
mechanisms (i.e., mutexes) used for program or process
synchronization purposes are classified here. However,
interprocess communication (IPC) is classified elsewhere.
Mutual exclusion mechanisms are used to synchronize data
access across multiple processes. Mutual exclusion
mechanisms can be acquired or "owned" by only one process or
thread at a time. A semaphore controls access to a shared
system resource by using a reference count scheme.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
310 for interprocess communication.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
712, Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems:
Processing Architecture and Instruction Processing (e.g.,
Processors), 220 for control functions such as subroutine
calling and control.
710, Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems:
Input/Output, 36 for input/output access regulation,
subclasses 107+ for bus access regulating, subclasses 240+
for access arbitrating, per se, and subclasses 260+ for
interrupt processing, per se.
711, Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems:
Memory, subclass 169 for memory access pipelining.
712, Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems:
Processing Architecture and Instruction Processing (e.g.
Processors), 28 for distributed computer system
architecture, and subclasses 237+ for instruction
prefetching.
Subclass:
103
Priority scheduling:
This subclass is indented under subclass 102. Subject matter
for determining an order of execution of jobs to be done
based on the level of relative importance or precedence
assigned with each job.
(1) Note. For the purpose of this subclass, scheduling
constraints may include resource characteristics, e.g.,
performance, availability, data coherency, etc.
Subclass:
104
Resource allocation:
This subclass is indented under subclass 102. Subject matter
for allocating digital data processing system resources for
tasks and often including deciding how best to use the
available resources to get the job done.
(1) Note. This subclass is directed to deciding which
resources to use, the process of deciding which jobs to do
first and what order to do them in is classified above.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
103 for priority scheduling.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
345, Computer Graphics Processing, Operator Interface
Processing, and Selective Visual Display Systems, subclass
346 for interwindow links and communication.
711, Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems:
Memory, 170 for memory configuring.
712, Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems:
Processing Architecture and Instruction Processing (e.g.
Processors), 214 for instruction issuing.
Subclass:
105
Load balancing:
This subclass is indented under subclass 102. Subject matter
directed to minimizing processing execution time by
efficiently distributing workload amongst operational
computers, processors and other system resources.
(1) Note. This may be done by a centralized mechanism which
monitors the system processors, or by a distributed method,
where idle processors query busy processors for extra work to
reduce idle time. Polling of peripherals, however, is
classified elsewhere.
(2) Note. This subclass includes initial task assignment to
certain resources based on utilization of the resources
(e.g., sending a task to the processor with the least
utilization or load).
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
345, Computer Graphics Processing, Operator Interface
Processing, and Selective Visual Display Systems, subclass
346 for interwindow links and communication.
710, Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems:
Input/Output, 15 for polling of peripherals, and subclasses
36+ for input/output access regulation.
711, Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems:
Memory, 133 for cache memory entry replacement strategies.
Subclass:
106
Dependency based cooperative processing of multiple programs
working together to accomplish a larger task:
This subclass is indented under subclass 102. Subject matter
comprising means or steps for identifying and dealing with
dependencies between executing programs, tasks and processes
(e.g., data dependencies, control flow dependencies, etc.).
(1) Note. This subclass is directed to the analysis for
dependencies in executing programs, for example, for
situations where at least one executing program requires data
from at least one other executing program and wherein the
requisite data is used to make decisions affecting the
operational sequence of at least one program, compilers that
analyze program code dependencies during compiling are
classified elsewhere.
(2) Note. This subclass provides for signaling and
communicating which allows two executing programs or
processes to cooperate. Signaling and communicating between
two computers/processors, independent of the tasks being
executed, for example, to synchronize the processors, by
handshaking is classified elsewhere. See the search notes
below.
(3) Note. Signaling, semaphores, and mutual exclusion
mechanisms used for program or process synchronization
purposes are classified here, for clarification, mutual
exclusion mechanisms (i.e., mutexes) are used to synchronize
data access across multiple processes, mutexes can be
acquired or "owned" by only one process or thread at a time.
A semaphore controls access to a shared system resource by
using a reference count scheme. Interprocess communication
(IPC) is classified elsewhere. See the search notes below.
(4) Note. Redundant systems for fault tolerance and fault
avoidance often include multiple, redundant processors
executing the same program so that if one fails, another can
be substituted. Cooperative processing such as this is done
for fault avoidance, is classified elsewhere. See the SEE
OR SEARCH CLASS notes below.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
310 for interprocess communication.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
395, Information Processing System Organization, 705, for
compilers and program code translators, per se.
713, Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems:
Support, 400 for synchronization of computer clocks, data,
signals, or pulses.
714, Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems:
Error Detection/Correction and Fault Detection/Recovery, 1
for redundant systems some fault-tolerant systems may include
multiple, redundant processors executing the same program so
that if one fails, another can be used.
Subclass:
107
Multitasking, time sharing:
This subclass is indented under subclass 102. Subject matter
comprising means or steps for dividing processor time of a
computer or digital data processing system between multiple
executing programs or processes.
(1) Note. This subclass is directed to multitasking systems
characterized by operating system means or steps for managing
or supervising a switch between two or a plurality of
discrete executing processes or tasks. For the purpose of
this definition, each process or task has its own instruction
data pointer and an address space comprised of code, data and
free memory, and may include other data necessary to restore
a process undergoing a context switch. Since each process
has its own instruction data pointer and an address space
comprised of code, data and free memory, every process at any
given point in time has a state or context defined by the
contents of its instruction data pointer and address space.
Multitasking systems classified here facilitate the switching
from one context to another. Recovering a digital data
processing system or computer process combined with the
detection of a fault, however is classified elsewhere. See
the SEE OR SEARCH CLASS notes below.
(2) Note. Preemptive multitasking (also called "time
slicing") is included under this subclass. For clarification,
preemptive multitasking is characterized by an operating
system periodically (i.e., according to a set schedule)
interrupting the execution of a process and passing control
to another waiting process and performing a context switch
after which the context for the next pending process is
restored, and the next process is executed for the duration
of its time slice or "quantum". Instruction processing
related to context switching and mode switching is classified
elsewhere. See the SEE OR SEARCH CLASS notes below.
(3) Note. Nonpreemptive and cooperative multitasking are
included under this subclass. Nonpreemptive multitasking is
where a currently executing task yields control to another
task when it is ready, rather than being forcibly preempted
by an operating system. Cooperative multitasking is where one
or more background tasks are given processing time during
idle times in the foreground task. In contrast,
user-implemented task or context switching between two or
more applications programs which are both resident in memory
at the same time where only the foreground application is
given processing time and a user may manually activate a
background task by bringing the window or screen of the
background task to the front is classified elsewhere. See
the SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS notes below.
(4) Note. For clarity, time-sharing is a form of
multitasking. Time-sharing is generally characterized by
multiple users executing programs on a client-server system.
A client-server system is characterized by at least one
server computer and a plurality of clients or users which
operate from terminals or computers programmed to emulate
terminals. Examples of time sharing systems are systems which
implement the UNIX (TM) or Windows NT (TM) operating systems.
On a time sharing system the processing time allotted to each
user program is interleaved by the operating system,
privileged users can be assigned higher priority and will
receive more processing time than nonprivileged users. Access
control determination for process arbitration, per se, is
classified elsewhere in this class. See the SEE OR SEARCH
THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS notes below.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
100 for access control determination for process
arbitration, especially subclass 101, for batch computer and
transaction computer where complete programs are executed in
their entirety from start to finish.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
700, Data Processing: Generic Control Systems or Specific
Applications, subclasses 2-7 for generic data processing
control systems including plural processors and fault
recovery.
712, Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems:
Processing Architecture and Instruction Processing (e.g.
Processors), subclass 228 and 229 for instruction and
register level context preserving, context swapping, mode
switching and mode swapping.
714, Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems:
Error Detection/Correction and Fault Detection/Recovery, 2
for fault recovery, per se, in computer systems and digital
data computer systems, subclasses 15+ for recovery from
detected faults in a process or data file using stored state
data and history logs, and subclass 23 for resetting a
processor combined with fault detection.
Subclass:
108
Context switching:
This subclass is indented under subclass 107. Subject matter
comprising means or steps for saving and restoring state data
(i.e., context) of a task, process, or thread in a
preemptive, nonpreemptive, or cooperative multitasking
system.
(1) Note. This subclass is directed to the specific
implementation details of performing a context switch in a
preemptive, nonpreemptive, or cooperative multitasking
system.
(2) Note. Also included in this subclass is the
user-implemented task or context switch between two or more
application programs which are resident in memory at the same
time. In this arrangement only the foreground application is
given processing time. A user may manually activate a
background task by bringing the window or screen of the
background task to the front. An example of this type of task
switch is when a user switches between a WINDOWS 3.1 (TM)
program and a MS DOS (TM) program by invoking the Alt-Tab
keypress combination.
(3) Note. A context switching is typically implemented with
interrupts and multitasking patents often use language
directed to interrupts to explain how time-sharing takes
place. Therefore, a patent directed to context switching and
reciting interrupt processing is properly classified here.
Interrupt processing, per se, is classified elsewhere. See
the SEE OR SEARCH CLASS notes below.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
710, Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems:
Input/Output, 260 for interrupt processing, per se.
712, Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems:
Processing Architecture and Instruction Processing (e.g.
Processors), subclass 228 for context preserving at the
instruction computer level.
Subclass:
200
MULTICOMPUTER DATA TRANSFERRING:
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Subject matter further comprising means or steps for
transferring data among a plurality of spatially distributed
(i.e., situated at different locations) computers or digital
data processing systems via one or more communications media
(e.g., computer networks) wherein the computers or digital
data processing systems employ the data in data processing
before or after the transferring, and wherein the data
processing affects the data transfer between the computers.
(1) Note. The subject matter of this subclass is
characterized by data transfer occurring as an external
communication between separate computers which themselves are
distinguishable processing entities.
(2) Note. The basic distinctions between this subclass
together with its indented subclasses and the communications
classes are (a) the subclasses herein include computers,
rather than other data communications devices, and (b) the
computers perform data processing in addition to transferring
data there between; overall combinations directed to a system
for performing communications functions only are classified
in the communications art classes. See the SEE OR SEARCH
CLASS notes below.
(3) Processes and apparatus for preprocessing or
postprocessing of signals in the data transfer to effect a
particular method of communications (e.g., modulating,
demodulating, encoding, decoding, phase locking) is
classified in the appropriate communications class. See the
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS notes below for examples.
(4) Note. Subject matter relating to transmission or
interconnection systems not classifiable herein and not
appropriate for the communication classes is classified in
the residual class for all transmission or interconnection
systems. See the SEE OR SEARCH CLASS notes below.
(5) Note. Processes and apparatus for error detection and
correction (EDAC), fault detection and recovery, and for
increasing the probability of a computer, digital data
processing system, or computer network performing correctly
(i.e., increasing its reliability and availability), per se,
are classified elsewhere. See the SEE OR SEARCH CLASS notes
below.
(6) Note. Processes and apparatus for enhancing the
security of computers, digital data processing systems, and
computer networks, per se, are classified elsewhere. See the
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS notes below.
(7) Note. Processes and apparatus for housing or mounting
computers, digital data processing systems, calculators, or
components thereof are classified elsewhere. See the SEE OR
SEARCH CLASS notes below.
(8) Note. Subject matter relating to neural networks, per
se, are classified elsewhere. See the SEE OR SEARCH CLASS
notes below.
(9) Note. Subject matter relating to distributed or remote
accessing of databases or files, per se, is classified
elsewhere. See the SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS notes
below.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
100 for administrating process or job execution over a
digital data processing system.
310 -332, for interprogram or interprocess communicating.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
307, Electrical Transmission or Interconnection Systems, for
all subject matter relating to electrical transmission or
interconnection systems not classified elsewhere
326, Electronic Digital Logic Circuitry, appropriate
subclasses for electronic digital logic circuitry.
329, Demodulators, appropriate subclasses for data
demodulators.
332, Modulators, appropriate subclasses for data modulators.
340, Communications: Electrical, 825 for controlling one or
more devices to obtain a plurality of results by transmission
of a designated one of plural distinctive control signals
over a smaller number of communication lines or channels,
particularly subclass 825.02 for tree or cascade selective
communication, subclasses 825.03+ for channel selection,
subclasses 825.06+ for communication systems where status of
a controlled device is communicated, subclasses 825.2+ for
synchronizing selective communication systems, subclasses
825.44+ for code responsive selective call receiving,
subclasses 825.5+ for lockout or priority in selective
communication systems, subclasses 825.52+ for addressing, and
subclasses 825.57+ for pulse responsive actuation.
342, Communications: Directive Radio Wave Systems and Devices
(e.g., Radar, Radio Navigation), various subclasses for
communications via directive radio waves and related
systems.
345, Computer Graphics Processing, Operator Interface
Processing, and Selective Visual Display Systems, 1 for
plural display systems, and subclasses 526 for transferring
data between graphic system components in a computer graphic
computer system.
348, Television, various subclasses for generating,
processing, transmitting or transiently displaying a sequence
of images, either locally or remotely, in which the local
light variations composing the images may change with time
(e.g., natural "live" scenes).
358, Facsimile, various subclasses for systems that transmit
and reproduce arbitrarily composed pictures in which the
local light variations composing each of the pictures are not
subject to variation with time; e.g., documents both written
and printed, maps, charts, and photographs (other than motion
picture film).
359, Optics: Systems (Including Communication) and Elements,
in particular 109 for optical communication in combination
with electrical communication and subclasses 115+ for
multiplexing in an optical communication system.
361, Electricity: Electrical Systems and Devices, 683 for
housings or mounting assemblies for computers, digital data
processing systems, calculators, or components thereof.
370, Multiplex Communications, for the simultaneous
transmission of two or more signals over a common medium
where the transmitted data are generic to the transmission
activity, particularly 351 for time division multiplex (TDM)
switching, subclasses 498+ for time division bus
transmission, and subclass 475 for asynchronous TDM
communications including addressing.
375, Pulse or Digital Communications, various subclasses for
digital communications including modulating, demodulating,
encoding, decoding, and phase locking.
379, Telephonic Communications, various subclasses for
two-way electrical communication of audio information of
arbitrary content.
380, Cryptography, various subclasses for concealing,
obscuring, and extracting intelligible information by, for
example, coding and decoding.
381, Electrical Audio Signal Processing Systems and Devices,
various subclasses for wired one-way audio systems, per se.
386, Television Signal Processing for Dynamic Recording or
Reproducing, various subclasses for apparatus and
corresponding processes for processing (which may include
receiving) a sequence of images in which the light variation
composing the images may change with time (e.g., natural
"live" scenes) for dynamic recording or reproducing of the
sequence of images.
395, Information Processing System Organization, subclass 712
for installing and managing particular versions of
executable programs and operating systems in a single
computer.
455, Telecommunications, for modulated carrier wave
communications, per se.
700, Data Processing: Generic Control Systems or Specific
Applications, subclasses 2-7 for plural processors in a
digital generic control system.
706, Data Processing: Artificial Intelligence, 15 for neural
networks.
707, Data Processing: Databases and File Management, Data
Structures, and Document Processing, 1 for computerized
database and file accessing and retrieving, subclasses 100+
for organizing and interrelating data or files, and
subclasses 200+ for managing and maintaining files and
databases.
710, Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems:
Input/Output, 1 for transferring data from one or more
peripherals to one or more computers for the latter to
process, store, or further transfer, or for transferring data
from the computers to the peripherals, subclasses 100+ for
transferring data among the memories, processors, and buses
of a single computer, and subclass 132 for crossbar
switching.
711, Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems:
Memory, 100 for transferring data between locations in the
same memory or between memories.
712, Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems:
Processing Architecture and Instruction Processing (e.g.,
Processors), 1 for digital data computer system
architectures such as multiple instruction multiple data
(MIMD) computers, vector and array computers, and single-chip
computers, and subclass 225 for computer control for data
transfer.
713, Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems:
Support, 1 for determining the initial configuration of a
single computer, subclass 100 for altering an established
configuration of a single computer, and subclasses 200+ for
protecting a computer, digital data computer system, or
computer network from unauthorized use (e.g., virus
detecting, user identifying, etc.).
714, Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems:
Error Detection/Correction and Fault Detection/Recovery, 1
for increasing the probability of a computer, digital data
computer system, or a computer network performing correctly
(i.e., increasing its reliability and availability) and
subclasses 746+ for correcting errors in the transmitted data
such as parity checking and cyclical redundancy checking.
Subclass:
201
Distributed data processing:
This subclass is indented under subclass 200. Subject matter
wherein the separate computers or digital data processing
systems performing different tasks share data to accomplish
an overall goal.
(1) Note. Means or steps for computerized database and file
accessing and retrieving, especially hierarchical, bit-mapped
and flat indexing, hashing, stapling, and containerizing
database operations and methods are classified elsewhere. See
the SEE OR SEARCH CLASS notes below.
(2) Note. Means or steps for organizing and interrelating
data or files, including relational, network, hierarchical,
and entity-relationship models for databases are classified
elsewhere. See the SEE OR SEARCH CLASS notes below.
(3) Note. Means or steps for managing and maintaining files
and databases in computers and digital data processing
systems are classified elsewhere. See the SEE OR SEARCH
CLASS notes below.
(4) Note. Means or steps for exchanging data or messages
between two executing programs or processes with only nominal
recitation of processing data transferred between the
computers are classified elsewhere. See the SEE OR SEARCH
CLASS notes below.
(5) Note. Means or steps for controlling operations to
execute processes or jobs within the operating system
environment of a digital data processing system with only
nominal recitation of processing data transferred between the
computers are classified elsewhere. See the SEE OR SEARCH
CLASS notes below.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
100 for means or steps for controlling operations to execute
processes or jobs within the operating system environment of
a digital data computer system with only nominal recitation
of computer data transferred between the computers.
208 for master/slave computer arrangements for transferring
data.
310-332, for means or steps for exchanging data or messages
between two executing programs or processes with only nominal
recitation of computer data transferred between the
computers.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
707, Data Processing: Databases and File Management, Data
Structures, and Document Processing, 1 for means or steps
for computerized database and file accessing and retrieving,
especially hierarchical, bitmapped and flat indexing,
hashing, stapling, and containerizing database operations and
methods, subclasses 100+ for means or steps for organizing
and interrelating data or files, including relational,
network, hierarchical, and entity-relationship models for
databases, and subclasses 200+ for means or steps for
managing and maintaining files and databases in computers and
digital data computer systems.
711, Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems:
Memory, 147 for shared memory accessing and control.
712, Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems:
Processing Architecture and Instruction Processing (e.g.
Processors), 28 for distributed computer system
architectures.
Subclass:
202
Processing agent:
This subclass is indented under subclass 201. Subject matter
wherein a data processing entity, executing within a
computer, autonomously establishes a dialog (e.g., a
negotiation) with another computer, on behalf of a user or
another processing entity, in order to transfer data between
the computers.
Subclass:
203
Client/server:
This subclass is indented under subclass 201. Subject matter
wherein at least one local computer provides a user interface
and performs local data processing to interact with at least
one remote computer which implements data processing (e.g.,
data management, data sharing) within a generic time-sharing
environment in response to the local computer to transfer
data between the local computer and the remote computer.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
345, Computer Graphics Processing, Operator Interface
Processing, and Selective Visual Display Systems, 326, for
operator interfaces, and particularly subclass 335 for
particular operator client/server interfaces customized by
modifying links between interface features and routines
performed.
Subclass:
204
Computer conferencing:
This subclass is indented under subclass 200. Subject matter
further comprising means or steps for enabling collaborative
processing of data by the computers or digital data
processing systems.
(1) Note. Means or steps for computerized database and file
accessing and retrieving, especially hierarchical, bit-mapped
and flat indexing, hashing, stapling, and containerizing
database operations and methods are classified elsewhere. See
the SEE OR SEARCH CLASS notes below.
(2) Note. Means or steps for organizing and interrelating
data or files, including relational, network, hierarchical,
and entity-relationship models for databases are classified
elsewhere. See the SEE OR SEARCH CLASS notes below.
(3) Note. Means or steps for managing and maintaining files
and databases in computers and digital data processing
systems are classified elsewhere. See the SEE OR SEARCH
CLASS notes below.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
345, Computer Graphics Processing, Operator Interface
Processing, and Selective Visual Display Systems, subclass
330, for operator interfaces for computer conferencing.
370, Multiplex Communications, 260 for multiplexed
communications enabling three or more terminals to be
included in a single call connection.
707, Data Processing: Databases and File Management, Data
Structures, and Document Processing, 1 for means or steps
for computerized database and file accessing and retrieving,
especially hierarchical, bit-mapped and flat indexing,
hashing, stapling, and containerizing database operations and
methods, subclasses 100+ for means or steps for organizing
and interrelating data or files, including relational,
network, hierarchical, and entity-relationship models for
databases, and subclasses 200+ for means or steps for
managing and maintaining files and databases in computers and
digital data computer systems.
Subclass:
205
Cooperative computer processing:
This subclass is indented under subclass 204. Subject matter
wherein the plural computers or digital data processing
systems jointly operate on the same data.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
345, Computer Graphics Processing, Operator Interface
Processing, and Selective Visual Display Systems, 1 for
plural display systems, and subclasses 331+ for operator
interfaces for cooperative computer work.
Subclass:
206
Demand based messaging:
This subclass is indented under subclass 204. Subject matter
further comprising means or steps for processing user data in
response to a demand to transfer data between the computers
(e.g., electronic mail messaging).
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
379, Telephonic Communications, 93.01 for transmitting a
digital message signal over a telephone line.
Subclass:
207
Priority based messaging:
This subclass is indented under subclass 204. Subject matter
further comprising means or steps for processing data in
response to the priority characteristics of data transferred
between the computers (e.g., message priority alerts).
Subclass:
208
Master/slave computer controlling:
This subclass is indented under subclass 200. Subject matter
wherein one or more of the computers (i.e., master computers)
regulates the operations of one or more of the other
computers (i.e., slave computers).
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
201 for distributed data processing data transfer.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
340, Communications: Electrical, 825 for controlling one or
more devices to obtain a plurality of results by transmission
of a designated one of plural distinctive control signals
over a smaller number of communication lines or channels,
particularly subclass 825.06+ for communication systems where
status of a controlled device is communicated.
700, Data Processing: Generic Control Systems or Specific
Applications, subclass 3 for master/slave arrangements in
general purpose digital processing control systems (e.g.,
feedback control systems).
710, Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems:
Input/Output, subclass 110 for master/slave controlling
within a single digital data processing system.
712, Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems:
Processing Architecture and Instruction Processing (e.g.
Processors), subclass 31 for master/slave distributed
processing system architectures.
Subclass:
209
Master/slave mode selecting:
This subclass is indented under subclass 208. Subject matter
wherein at least one of the computers can function either as
a master computer or as a slave computer.
Subclass:
210
Slave computer locking:
This subclass is indented under subclass 208. Subject matter
further comprising means or steps for restricting at least
one of the slave computers to exchange data with only one of
a plurality of master computers.
Subclass:
211
Master accessing slave storage:
This subclass is indented under subclass 208. Subject matter
further comprising means or steps for enabling at least one
of the regulating (i.e., master) computers to store data to
or read data from memory of at least one of the of the
regulated (i.e., slave) computers.
Subclass:
212
Computer-to-computer direct memory accessing:
This subclass is indented under subclass 200. Subject matter
further comprising means or steps for transferring data
between memories of different computers with minimal or no
intervention from main processors of the computers.
(1) Note. Subject matter comprising means or steps for
transferring data directly between the peripherals and
memories of computers rather than between computers is
classified elsewhere. See the SEE OR SEARCH CLASS note
below.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
710, Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems:
Input/Output, 22 for input/output data processing with
direct memory accessing (DMA) for transferring data directly
between the peripheral and memories of computers.
Subclass:
213
Multicomputer data transferring via shared memory:
This subclass is indented under subclass 200. Subject matter
wherein the computers transfer data through one or more
memories accessible by the computers.
(1) Note. Means or steps for employing shared memory in
computer graphics processing and for accessing and
controlling shared memory, per se, are classified elsewhere.
See the SEE OR SEARCH CLASS, notes below.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
345, Computer Graphics Processing, Operator Interface
Processing, and Selective Visual Display Systems, subclass
512 for employing shared memory in computer graphics
computer.
711, Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems:
Memory, 147 for shared memory accessing and controlling, per
se.
Subclass:
214
Plural shared memories:
This subclass is indented under subclass 213. Subject matter
wherein at least one of the computers selects at least one of
a plurality of memories and transfers the data through the
selected memories.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
711, Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems:
Memory, subclass 148 for accessing shared solid-state memory
within a single computer.
Subclass:
215
Partitioned shared memory:
This subclass is indented under subclass 213. Subject matter
wherein at least one of the computers transfers the data
through a single memory, which is logically divided into
sections, each of which is allocated to one of the
computers.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
711, Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems:
Memory, subclass 129 for partitioned cache accessing and
control and subclass 153 for dividing or segmenting a given
logical memory into independent sections or domains.
Subclass:
216
Accessing another computer's memory:
This subclass is indented under subclass 213. Subject matter
wherein at least one of the computers directly transfers the
to or from memory collocated with and allocated to at least
one of the other computers.
Subclass:
217
Remote data accessing:
This subclass is indented under subclass 200. Subject matter
wherein computers located at distant sites transfer data via
at least one dedicated communications line (e.g., a telephone
connection).
(1) Note. Means or steps for computerized database and file
accessing and retrieving, especially hierarchical, bit-mapped
and flat indexing, hashing, stapling, and containerizing
database operations and methods are classified elsewhere. See
the SEE OR SEARCH CLASS notes below.
(2) Note. Subject matter relating to transceivers including
modems are classified elsewhere, per se. See the SEE OR
SEARCH CLASS notes below.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
340, Communications: Electrical, 825 for selective
electrical communication systems.
375, Pulse or Digital Communications, 219 for transceivers
including modems, per se.
379, Telephonic Communications, various subclasses for
two-way transmission of intelligible audio information having
arbitrary content over an electrical conductor.
711, Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems:
Memory, 1 for means or steps for computerized database and
file accessing and retrieving, especially hierarchical,
bit-mapped and flat indexing, hashing, stapling, and
containerizing database operations and methods.
Subclass:
218
Using interconnected networks:
This subclass is indented under subclass 217. Subject matter
wherein independent computers are linked by one or more
interconnected networks (e.g., wide area networks (WANs), the
"Internet").
Subclass:
219
Accessing a remote server:
This subclass is indented under subclass 217. Subject matter
wherein large blocks of data (e.g., streamed data) are
transferred between a remote file server and a requesting
computer.
Subclass:
220
Network computer configuring:
This subclass is indented under subclass 200. Subject matter
further comprising means or steps for assigning operating
characteristics to the computers.
(1) Note. Classification herein is proper if the
configuration processing operation involves a data transfer
dialog between two or more computers which exchange status
data in order to determine the operating characteristics of
one or more of the computers.
(2) Note. The result of the configuration processing as
applied herein is at least semi-permanent (i.e., the
configuration data are maintained by the configured computer
once these are established without need to reestablish the
configuration data for a different processing session).
(3) Note. Means or steps for establishing the operational
parameters by transferring data between two or more computers
which process data pertaining to the parameters of the
transfer connection or the processing session in order to
determine the operating mode for one or more of the computers
which will be connected to, or engage in a processing session
with, another computer is classified elsewhere. See the SEE
OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS notes below.
(4) Note. Means or steps for configuring or reconfiguring a
single computer without processing data transferred between
the computer being configured and another computer in order
to determine the operating characteristics to be configured
is classified elsewhere. See the SEE OR SEARCH CLASS notes
below.
(5) Note. Means or steps for installing and managing
particular versions of executable programs and operating
systems with only nominal recitation of processing data
transferred between the computers are classified elsewhere.
See the SEE OR SEARCH CLASS notes below.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
228 for establishing the operational parameters by
transferring data between two or more computers which process
data pertaining to the parameters of the transfer connection
or the computer session in order to determine the operating
mode for one or more of the computers which will be connected
to, or engage in a computer session with, another computer.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
340, Communications: Electrical, 825 for controlling one or
more devices to obtain a plurality of results by transmission
of a designated one of plural distinctive control signals
over a smaller number of communication lines or channels,
particularly subclasses 825.5+ for lockout or priority in
selective communication systems.
395, Information Processing System Organization, subclass 712
for installing and managing particular versions of
executable programs and operating systems with only nominal
recitation of computer data transferred between the
computers.
710, Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems:
Input/Output, subclass 104 for system configuring by
providing arrangement data to a processor in a single digital
data computer system.
713, Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems:
Support, 1 for determining the initial configuration of a
single computer, and subclass 100 for altering an established
configuration of a single computer.
Subclass:
221
Reconfiguring:
This subclass is indented under subclass 220. Subject matter
wherein one of the computers transfers data (e.g., addresses,
allocation tables, operating programs, etc.) to or from
another computer which changes the functional configuration
of one of the computers within the network after it has been
established.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
712, Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems:
Processing Architecture and Instruction Processing (e.g.,
Processors), subclass 15 for reconfiguring array processor
architectures.
713, Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems:
Support, subclass 100 for altering an established
configuration of a single computer.
Subclass:
222
Initializing:
This subclass is indented under subclass 220. Subject matter
wherein one of the computers transfers data (e.g., addresses,
allocation tables, operating programs, etc.) to or from
another computer which establishes the functional
configuration of one of the computers within the network.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
713, Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems:
Support, 1 for determining the initial configuration of a
single computer.
Subclass:
223
Computer network managing:
This subclass is indented under subclass 200. Subject matter
further comprising means or steps for managing the resources
of the computers connected by a computer network or of the
network itself.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
370, Multiplex Communications, 254 for determining multiplex
network configurations
Subclass:
224
Computer network monitoring:
This subclass is indented under subclass 223. Subject matter
further comprising means or steps for detecting or observing
operating characteristics or conditions of computers
connected through a computer network or of the network
itself.
(1) Note. Protocol analyzers and logic analyzers are
classified elsewhere, per se. See the SEE OR SEARCH CLASS
notes below.
(2) Note. Data processing systems or calculating computers
designed for or utilized in the indication of a condition
relating to a measurement, analysis, or continuous detection
(i.e., measuring, testing, or monitoring) are classified
elsewhere. See the SEARCH CLASS notes below.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
340, Communications: Electrical, 825 for controlling one or
more devices to obtain a plurality of results by transmission
of a designated one of plural distinctive control signals
over a smaller number of communication lines or channels,
particularly subclasses 825.06+ for communication systems
where status of a controlled device is communicated.
370, Multiplex Communications, 252 for determining
communications parameters.
702, Data Processing: Measuring and Testing, appropriate
subclasses for data computer systems or calculating computers
designed for or utilized in the indication of a condition
relating to a measurement, analysis, or continuous
detection.
714, Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems:
Error Detection/Correction and Fault Detection/Recovery,
subclass 39 for protocol analyzers and logic analyzers, and
subclass 47 for performance monitoring for fault avoidance.
Subclass:
225
Computer network access regulating:
This subclass is indented under subclass 223. Subject matter
further comprising means or steps for controlling which of
the plural computers may transfer data via the communications
media.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
340, Communications: Electrical, 825 for controlling one or
more devices to obtain a plurality of results by transmission
of a designated one of plural distinctive control signals
over a smaller number of communication lines or channels,
particularly subclasses 825.5+ for lockout or priority in
selective communication systems.
710, Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems:
Input/Output, 36 for regulating access of peripherals to
computers or vice versa, subclasses 107+ for regulating
access of processors or memories to a bus, subclass 200 for
general purpose access locking, subclass 220 for general
purpose access polling, and subclasses 240+ for general
purpose access arbitrating.
711, Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems:
Memory, subclass 150 for regulating access to shared
memories.
713, Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems:
Support, subclass 201 for providing system security at the
network level.
Subclass:
226
Network resource allocating:
This subclass is indented under subclass 223. Subject matter
further comprising means or steps for apportioning resources
to one or more computers on a network.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
340, Communications: Electrical, 825 for controlling one or
more devices to obtain a plurality of results by transmission
of a designated one of plural distinctive control signals
over a smaller number of communication lines or channels,
particularly subclasses 825.5+ for lockout or priority in
selective communication systems.
710, Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems:
Input/Output, subclasses, 36 for regulating access of
peripherals to computers or vice-versa, subclasses 107+ for
regulating access of processors or memories to a bus,
subclass 200 for general purpose access locking, and
subclasses 240+ for general purpose access polling.
711, Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems:
Memory, subclass 150 for regulating access to shared
memories.
Subclass:
227
Computer-to-computer session/connection establishing:
This subclass is indented under subclass 200. Subject matter
comprising means or steps for creating a session connection
between the computers.
(1) Note. As used herein, a session is the time during which
at least two computers maintain an active connection between
themselves in order to support an ongoing dialog for
transferring data between the computers.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
249 for interconnecting plural computer networks.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
340, Communications: Electrical, subclasses 825.01-825.04
for selective electrical communication systems with channel
selecting.
370, Multiplex Communications, for simultaneously
transmitting two or more signals over a common medium,
particularly 431 for asynchronous time-division multiplex
(TDM) communications channel assignment techniques.
Subclass:
228
Session/connection parameter setting:
This subclass is indented under subclass 227. Subject matter
further comprising means or steps for establishing at least
one operational parameter for transferring data for a session
or connection between the computers (e.g., protocol, address,
or rate selection).
(1) Note. Classification herein is proper if establishing
the operational parameter involves transferring data between
two or more computers which process data pertaining to the
parameters of the transfer connection or the processing
session in order to determine the operating mode for one or
more of the computers which will be connected to, or engage
in a processing session with, another computer.
(2) Note. The operating mode established by the data
processing operation herein is transient (i.e., the
operating parameters are used by the computers for only the
established connection or session and must be reestablished
for a different processing session or connection).
(3) Note. Configuration processing operations involving a
data transfer dialog between two or more computers which
process status data in order to determine the operating
characteristics of one or more of the computers are
classified elsewhere. See the SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS,
SUBCLASS notes below.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
220 for configuration computer operations involving a
transfer dialog between two or more computers which process
status data in order to determine the operating
characteristics of one or more of the computers.
Subclass:
229
Network resources access controlling:
This subclass is indented under subclass 227. Subject matter
further comprising means or steps for controlling or limiting
access by computers on a network to resources on the network
(e.g., trusted third party authentication).
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
225 for regulating access to the network communications
media.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
340, Communications: Electrical, subclass 825.34 for
selective electrical communications systems with intelligence
comparison for identity authentication.
380, Cryptography, 23 for systems employing encrypted user
or record actuated authentication, and subclass 49 for
digital control or digital computer communication in which an
encrypting or decrypting device utilizes a digital signal
manipulation technique on the computer signal.
713, Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems:
Support, subclass 201 for providing system security at the
network level.
Subclass:
230
Computer-to-computer protocol implementing:
This subclass is indented under subclass 200. Subject matter
further comprising means or steps for controlling the format
and relative timing of transfer of data between the computers
in order to maintain communication.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
370, Multiplex Communications, 465 for adaptive
communication techniques for data carried in plural channels
Subclass:
231
Computer-to-computer data streaming:
This subclass is indented under subclass 230. Subject
matter further comprising means or steps for processing
streamed data transferred between computers wherein the data
are transferred more or less continuously.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
219 for data transfer between a remote file server and a
requesting computer where the data may be streamed.
Subclass:
232
Computer-to-computer data transfer regulating:
This subclass is indented under subclass 230. Subject matter
further comprising means or steps for correcting or modifying
the data transfer operation to conform with the operating
conditions of the computers.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
370, Multiplex Communications, particularly 229 for data
flow congestion prevention or congestion control in a TDM
communications system.
710, Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems:
Input/Output, subclass 61 for input/output (I/O) synchronous
data transfer.
Subclass:
233
Transfer speed regulating:
This subclass is indented under subclass 232. Subject matter
further comprising means or steps for controlling the
aggregate rate at which data are exchanged between the
computers (e.g., speed changing, rate optimization, packet
size optimization).
(1) Note. Means or steps for controlling a first rate at
which some of the computers transmit data such that the first
rate does not exceed a second rate at which other of the
computers can receive data are classified herein.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
710, Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems:
Input/Output, subclass 29 for controlling the flow of data
transmission to or from peripherals, and subclass 60 for
input/output (I/O) transfer rate regulating.
Subclass:
234
Data flow compensating:
This subclass is indented under subclass 232. Subject matter
further comprising means or steps for transferring data from
a first computer at a given rate or time, temporarily storing
the data, and transferring the data to another computer at a
different rate or at a later time (e.g., data discarding,
buffer overflow control, space or bit insertion, buffer
status flag supervising, transfer buffer management).
(1) Note. Memory devices, per se, are classified in their
respective device classes. More specifically, registers are
classified elsewhere, static memory devices including
internal elements of memories are classified elsewhere,
display memory organizations and structures (i.e., selective
visual display systems) are classified elsewhere. See the
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS notes below.
(2) Note. Buffers used in computer graphics processing,
input/output processing, or visual displaying and as caches
for memory accessing, addressing, or controlling are
classified elsewhere. See the SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS,
SUBCLASS notes below.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
235, Registers, various subclasses, for basic machines and
associated indicating mechanisms for ascertaining the number
of movements of various devices and machines and machines
made from these basic machines alone and in combination with
various perfecting features such as printers and recording
means.
345, Computer Graphics Processing, Operator Interface
Processing, and Selective Visual Display Systems,
particularly subclass 27 and 507+ for buffers and other
storage devices in visual display systems.
358, Facsimile and Static Presentation Processing, subclass
1.17 for page or frame buffers in printers or other static
presentation computer devices.
365, Static Information Storage and Retrieval, various
subclasses for static memory devices including internal
elements of the memory, particularly subclass 189.05 for
buffering or latching data being read from or written to
memory and subclass 230.08 for buffering and latching address
data being employed to access memory.
377, Electrical Pulse Counters, Pulse Dividers, Or Shift
Registers: Circuits and Systems, appropriate subclasses, for
electric shift registers.
710, Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems:
Input/Output, 52 for input/output (I/O) data buffering.
711, Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems:
Memory, subclass 3 for addressing cache memory with specific
memory configuration, and subclasses 118+ for cache memory
accessing and control to transfer data between processor(s)
and main memory.
Subclass:
235
Congestion avoiding:
This subclass is indented under subclass 232. Subject matter
further comprising means or steps for controlling the flow of
data between the computers to prevent overfilling or
overcrowding the computers or the communications media with
data (e.g., throttling, traffic management, status
signaling).
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
370, Multiplex Communications, 229 for avoiding or
regulating an actual or potential traffic overload
condition.
Subclass:
236
Computer-to-computer data framing:
This subclass is indented under subclass 230. Subject matter
further comprising means or steps for grouping data into a
specified arrangement in order to transfer the grouped data
between the computers.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
340, Communications: Electrical, 825 for controlling one or
more devices to obtain a plurality of results by transmission
of a designated one of plural distinctive control signals
over a smaller number of communication lines or channels,
particularly subclasses 825.57+ for selective communication
pulse responsive actuation.
370, Multiplex Communications, subclasses 470-476 for frame
manipulating to facilitate the simultaneous transmission of
two or more signals over a common medium.
Subclass:
237
Computer-to-computer handshaking:
This subclass is indented under subclass 230. Subject matter
further comprising means or steps for exchanging instruction
data between computers to signal readiness to exchange user
data or to signal receipt of user data.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
710, Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems:
Input/Output, 105 for handshaking protocols between
components of a single digital data computer system.
Subclass:
238
Computer-to-computer data routing:
This subclass is indented under subclass 200. Subject matter
further comprising means or steps for selecting a path via
which the computers will transfer data.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
340, Communications: Electrical, 825 for controlling one or
more devices to obtain a plurality of results by transmission
of a designated one of plural distinctive control signals
over a smaller number of communication lines or channels,
particularly subclasses 825.03+ for channel selection and
subclasses 825.79+ for matrix connection selection.
359, Optics: Systems (Including Communication) and Elements,
subclass 117 for switching multiplexed optical
communications.
370, Multiplex Communications, for the simultaneous
transmission of two or more signals over a common medium,
particularly 351 for asynchronous TDM communications
pathfinding or routing.
379, Telephonic Communications, 219 for plural exchange
networks or interconnections and subclasses 242+ for
centralized switching systems.
710, Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems:
Input/Output, 131 for switching for intrasystem connection
path selecting.
Subclass:
239
Alternate path routing:
This subclass is indented under subclass 238. Subject matter
further comprising means or steps for selecting a substitute
path when a desired path is unavailable (e.g., blocked
path).
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
340, Communications: Electrical, 825 for selective
communications, particularly subclass 825.01 for spare
channel selecting.
370, Multiplex Communications, 216 for fault recovery in a
multiplex switching system.
379, Telephonic Communications, particularly subclass 221
and 273+ for alternate routing in a telephone system.
Subclass:
240
Prioritized data routing:
This subclass is indented under subclass 238. Subject matter
further comprising means or steps for transferring the data
in accordance with a ranking assigned to the data.
Subclass:
241
Least weight routing:
This subclass is indented under subclass 238. Subject matter
further comprising means or steps for selecting the path
between source and destination by which the data are
transferred by optimizing at least one predetermined criteria
(e.g., cost, connect time, path length/delay, preferred
routing/carriers, bandwidth utilization).
Subclass:
242
Routing data updating:
This subclass is indented under subclass 238. Subject matter
further comprising means or steps for periodically exchanging
control data indicating how to transfer data among nodes or
routes in a network.
Subclass:
243
Decentralized controlling:
This subclass is indented under subclass 238. Subject matter
wherein each respective computer selects its own path by
which to transfer data associated with its individual
transfer operation or node (e.g., message flooding).
Subclass:
244
Centralized controlling:
This subclass is indented under subclass 238. Subject matter
wherein one computer selects the path used for data transfer
by each of the other computers.
Subclass:
245
Computer-to-computer data addressing:
This subclass is indented under subclass 200. Subject matter
further comprising means or steps for transferring address
data associated with user data between the computers to
ensure that associated user data are transferred to or from
the intended computers.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
340, Communications: Electrical, 825 for controlling one or
more devices to obtain a plurality of results by transmission
of a designated one of plural distinctive control signals
over a smaller number of communication lines or channels,
particularly subclasses 825.52+ for addressing in selective
communication, and subclasses 825.57+ for pulse responsive
actuation in selective communication.
370, Multiplex Communications, for the simultaneous
transmission of two or more signals over a common medium,
particularly subclass 474 and 475 for asynchronous time
division multiplex communications including addressing.
710, Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems:
Input/Output, 3 for employing addresses for input/output
(I/O) computer.
711, Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems:
Memory, 1 for addressing specific types of memories and 200+
for addressing in computer systems, per se.
Subclass:
246
Computer-to-computer data modifying:
This subclass is indented under subclass 200. Subject matter
further comprising means or steps for changing a format of
the data transferred between the computers.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
341, Coded Data Generation or Conversion, 50 for generic
logic circuits for transforming digital signals in one code
to digital signals in another code and subclasses 126+ for
converters for transforming analog signals to digital signals
and vice versa.
708, Data Processing: Arithmetic Processing and Calculating,
subclass 204 for electric digital calculating computers
performing specialized functions for converting data
formats.
Subclass:
247
Compressing/decompressing:
This subclass is indented under subclass 246. Subject matter
wherein the data are processed to reduce the transfer payload
volume or to recover the data from a compressed payload.
(1) Note. Compression and decompression of data, per se, is
classified elsewhere. See the SEE OR SEARCH CLASS notes
below.
(2) Note. Compression/decompression of the data herein
occurs in addition to other processing of the data by the
computers to facilitate the transferring of the result of the
other processing performed.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
341, Coded Data Generation or Conversion, subclass 60 for
converting digital codes to or from a packed format.
358, Facsimile and Static Presentation Processing, subclass
1.15 for communication of compressed data in a static
presentation system.
370, Multiplex Communications, subclass 477 for conserving
transmission bandwidth and 521 for time compression or
expansion.
382, Image Analysis, 232 for compressing and decompressing
image data.
704, Data Processing: Speech Signal Processing, Linguistics,
Language Translation, and Audio Compression/Decompression,
500 for compressing or expanding the bandwidth of an audio
signal.
707, Data Processing: Databases and File Management, Data
Structures, and Document Processing, subclass 101 for
manipulating data structures in a database system.
708, Data Processing: Arithmetic Processing and Calculating;
subclass 203 for electric digital calculating computers
performing specialized functions for compressing or
decompressing data.
Subclass:
248
Multicomputer synchronizing:
This subclass is indented under subclass 200. Subject matter
further comprising means or steps for matching timing between
the computers.
(1) Note. Classification herein is proper if data (e.g.,
tokens, semaphores) are transferred between the computers for
processing to accomplish synchronization of the computers.
(2) Note. Single clock or timing circuit control of
processors, plural clocks, or timing circuits synchronized to
control the processors, or operations synchronized to occur
on the same clocking or timing cycle is classified elsewhere.
See the SEE OR SEARCH CLASS, SUBCLASS and SEE OR SEARCH
CLASS notes below.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
200 for transferring data between a plurality of computers
even if the transferring employs peripherals, e.g., modems,
line adapters.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
340, Communications: Electrical, 825 for controlling one or
more devices to obtain a plurality of results by transmission
of a designated one of plural distinctive control signals
over a smaller number of communication lines or channels,
particularly subclasses 825.2+ for synchronizing selective
communication systems.
370, Multiplex Communications, 503 for synchronizing
computer transmitted via time channels.
375, Pulse or Digital Communications, 354 for pulse or
digital communications synchronizing.
713, Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems:
Support, 500 for generalized processor timing operations.
Subclass:
249
Multiple network interconnecting:
This subclass is indented under subclass 200. Subject matter
further comprising means or steps for coupling plural
networks so that data can be transferred therebetween.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
340, Communications: Electrical, 825 for controlling one or
more devices to obtain a plurality of results by transmission
of a designated one of plural distinctive control signals
over a smaller number of communication lines or channels,
particularly subclass 825.02 for tree or cascade selective
communication.
370, Multiplex Communications, for the simultaneous
transmission of two or more signals over a common medium,
particularly 489 and 901 for time division bus
transmission.
Subclass:
250
Network-to-computer interfacing:
This subclass is indented under subclass 200. Subject matter
further comprising means or steps for integrating the
computers with networks for orderly, efficient operations.
(1) Note. Transceivers including modems are classified
elsewhere, per se. See the SEE OR SEARCH CLASS notes below.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
340, Communications: Electrical, 825 for controlling one or
more devices to obtain a plurality of results by transmission
of a designated one of plural distinctive control signals
over a smaller number of communication lines or channels,
particularly subclass 825.02 for tree or cascade selective
communication.
370, Multiplex Communications, various subclasses for
routers, switchers, and related subject matter, especially
subclass 463 for circuits or interfaces for connecting a
user to a network.
375, Pulse or Digital Communications, 219 for transceivers
including modems, per se.
703, Data Processing: Structural Design, Modeling,
Simulation, and Emulation, subclasses 23-28 for general
purpose compatibility or emulation of system components.
Subclass:
251
Ring computer networking:
This subclass is indented under subclass 200. Subject matter
wherein the computers are connected sequentially in a loop
configuration.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
340, Communications: Electrical, 825 for controlling one or
more devices to obtain a plurality of results by transmission
of a designated one of plural distinctive control signals
over a smaller number of communication lines or channels.
359, Optics: Systems (Including Communication) and Elements,
subclass 119 for multiplexing communications within optical
local area networks configured as a loop.
370, Multiplex Communications, 452 for assigning
communications channels on a ring or loop and subclass 909
for token ring LANs.
Subclass:
252
Star or tree computer networking:
This subclass is indented under subclass 200. Subject matter
wherein the computers are connected via the communications
media in a branched configuration.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
340, Selective Communications, subclass 825.02 for
selectively operating alternate circuitry branches which
exercise control of succeeding circuitry.
359, Optics: Systems (Including Communication) and Elements,
subclass 120 and 121 for multiplexing communications within
optical local area networks in active or passive star
configurations.
370, Multiplex Communications, subclass 407 for
interconnected star couplers and subclass 408 for nodes
interconnected in a hierarchy to form a tree.
Subclass:
253
Bused computer networking:
This subclass is indented under subclass 200. Subject matter
wherein the computers are connected to a common transmission
medium.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
370, Multiplex Communications, 431 for assigning channels to
subscriber terminals and subclass 910 for carrier sense
multiple access LANs.
710, Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems:
Input/Output, 100 for intrasystem connecting using buses and
bus transaction processing.
Subclass:
310
INTERPROGRAM COMMUNICATION, INTERPROCESS COMMUNICATION
(IPC):
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Subject matter comprising means or steps for exchanging data
or messages between two executing programs or processes,
independent of the hardware used in the communication.
(1) Note. Classification here requires more than nominal
recitation of "tasks", "processes", "programs", etc.
(2) Note. The subject matter of this subclass is directed
to communication between processes. Hardware mechanisms such
as bus transaction processing, data transfer between
computers and digital data processing systems are classified
elsewhere.
(3) Note. The basic distinctions between this subclass
together with its indented subclasses and the communications
classes (see the SEE OR SEARCH CLASS notes below) are (A) the
subclasses here include a digital data processing system or
computer, rather than other data communications devices, and
that (B) the communication is between tasks and processes in
a digital data processing system or computer. Overall
combinations directed to a system for performing
communications functions only is classified in the
appropriate communication class, see the SEE OR SEARCH CLASS
notes below for examples.
(4) Note. Preprocessing or postprocessing of signals in a
data transfer to effect a particular communications method
(e.g., modulating, demodulating, encoding, decoding, and
phase locking) is classified in the appropriate
communications class, see the SEE OR SEARCH CLASS notes below
for examples.
(5) Note. Subject matter relating to transmission or
interconnection systems not classifiable herein and not
appropriate for the communication classes should be
classified in the residual class for all transmission or
interconnection systems.
(6) Note. This subclass is for communication between
processes and tasks, communication between computers or
digital data processing systems and peripherals is classified
elsewhere.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
200-253, for transferring data between a plurality of
computers even if the transferring employs peripherals, e.g.,
modems, line adapters.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
307, Electrical Transmission or Interconnection Systems, is
the residual class for all transmission or interconnection
systems, see the various subclasses for interconnection
systems, per se.
329, Demodulators, appropriate subclasses for data
demodulators.
332, Modulators, appropriate subclasses for data
demodulators.
340, Communications: Electrical, subclass 825 825.98 for
controlling one or more devices to obtain a plurality of
results by transmission of a designated one of plural
distinctive control signals over a smaller number of
communication lines or channels.
341, Coded Data Generation or Conversion, subclasses 50-107
for electrical pulse and digit code encoding and decoding.
342, Communications: Directive Radio Wave Systems and
Devices, various subclasses for systems and processes for
transmission or reception of radio wave energy for obtaining
or utilizing information (using radio wave transmitters or
receivers), as to an object, or as to the directional
characteristics of the radio wave energy, per se.
345, Computer Graphics Processing, Operator Interface
Processing, and Selective Visual Display Systems, subclass
346 for interwindow links and communication.
358, Facsimile, various subclasses for the recordation,
reproduction and transmission of images of arbitrary
composition.
370, Multiplex Communications, for the simultaneous
transmission of two or more signals over a common medium.
375, Pulse or Digital Communications, various subclasses for
digital communications processing including modulating,
demodulating, encoding, decoding, and phase locking.
379, Telephonic Communications, various subclasses for
two-way electrical communication of audio information of
arbitrary content.
380, Cryptography, for concealing, obscuring and extracting
intelligible information by for example coding and decoding.
381, Electrical Audio Signal Processing Systems and Devices,
various subclasses for wired one-way audio systems, per se.
455, Telecommunications, for modulated carrier wave
communication of information, per se.
700, Data Processing: Generic Control Systems Or Specific
Applications, subclasses 2-7 for plural processors in a
digital control system application.
710, Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems:
Input/Output, subclasses 1-74 for transferring data from
one or more peripherals to one or more computers for the
latter to process, store, or further transfer or for
transferring data from the computers to the peripherals, and
subclasses 100 - 132 for data transferring among memories,
processors, and buses of a computer.
711, Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems:
Memory, subclasses 100-173 for accessing or controlling
memories that are peripherals.
712, Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems:
Processing Architecture and Instruction Processing,
subclasses 1-43 for digital data computer system
architectures such as multiple instruction multiple data
(MIMD) computers, vector and array computers, and single-chip
computers.
713, Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems:
Support, subclasses 200-202, for methods and apparatus
serving to protect a digital data computer system from
unauthorized use (e.g., virus detecting, user identifying,
etc.).
714, Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems:
Error Detection/Correction and Fault Detection/Recovery,
subclasses 1-57 for methods and apparatus for increasing
the probability of a system performing correctly, and
subclasses 746-797 for correcting errors in the transmitted
data such as parity checking and cyclical redundancy
checking.
Subclass:
311
Common gateway interface program communication:
This subclass is indented under subclass 310. Subject
matter wherein a server program, or script is executed at the
request of a client program through a web browser.
(1) Note. User input information is passed to the
programs/scripts using the Common Gateway Interface (CGI)
convention and the server side CGI program sends the result
back to the client using dynamic html.
Subclass:
312
Interprogram communication using shared memory:
This subclass is indented under subclass 310. Subject
matter comprising means or steps for communication between
plural processes or application programs using a memory which
can be shared between said processes or programs.
Subclass:
313
Interprogram communication using message:
This subclass is indented under subclass 310. Subject
matter comprising means or steps for communication between
processes or application programs using pieces of information
which suggest actions to be taken or indicate conditions or
indicate that an event has occurred.
(1) Note. Sending a message to an object is equivalent to
calling a procedure in traditional programming languages,
except that the actual code executed is selected at run-time
depending on the class of the object. For example, in
response to a message to draw an object, the code invoked
would be different if the object were a circle or a square.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
312 for sending a message between processes via a shared
memory.
314 for sending a message between processes using a queue
Subclass:
314
Message using queue:
This subclass is indented under subclass 313. Subject
matter comprising means or steps for communication between
processes or application programs using messages that are
lined up in a particular order.
(1) Note. Examples of queues are FIFOs, named pipes,
streams, and the like.
Subclass:
315
Object oriented message:
This subclass is indented under subclass 313. Subject
matter comprising means or steps for communication between
objects (e.g., a message tells a receiving object what to do)
wherein a method or member function of a receiving object is
invoked or called by a sending method of a sending object and
the message passing may involve passing actual parameters
(i.e., for example, either by reference or by value) to the
target object.
(1) Note. Object-oriented data structure principles
employed in message passing are properly classified here,
mere recitations to object oriented data structures, per se,
does not automatically cause classification in this subclass,
object-oriented data structures, per se, are classified
elsewhere, see the SEE OR SEARCH CLASS notes below.
(2) Note. Messaging techniques abound in the data
communications arts in the form of signaling protocols,
message protocols, semaphore techniques, token passing, etc.,
an object oriented paradigm will present generalized
functionality in a neatly reusable or customizable program
code "module", therefore, a concept search for a messaging
technique should also consider the other communications
classes as appropriate.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
200-253, for multicomputer data transferring, per se,
particularly subclasses 213-219 for transferring data via a
shared memory.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
307, Electrical Transmission or Interconnection Systems, is
the residual class for all transmission or interconnection
systems.
340, Communications: Electrical, subclass 825 825.98 for
controlling one or more devices to obtain a plurality of
results by transmission of a designated one of plural
distinctive control signals over a smaller number of
communication lines or channels.
342, Communications: Directive Radio Wave Systems and
Devices, various subclasses for systems and processes for
transmission or reception of radio wave energy for obtaining
or utilizing information (using radio wave transmitters or
receivers), as to an object, or as to the directional
characteristics of the radio wave energy, per se.
345, Computer Graphics Processing, Operator Interface
Processing, and Selective Visual Display Systems, subclass
346 for interwindow links and communication, and 348-349,
for icons and metaphoric icon objects.
358, Facsimile, various subclasses for the recordation,
reproduction and transmission of images of arbitrary
composition.
370, Multiplex Communications, for the simultaneous
transmission of two or more signals over a common medium.
375, Pulse or Digital Communications, various subclasses for
digital communications processing including modulating,
demodulating, encoding, decoding, and phase locking.
379, Telephonic Communications, various subclasses for
two-way electrical communication of audio information of
arbitrary content.
380, Cryptography, for concealing, obscuring and extracting
intelligible computer by for example coding and decoding.
455, Telecommunications, for modulated carrier wave
communications, per se.
707, Data Processing-Database and File Management, Data
Structures, or Document Processing, subclass 103 for an
object oriented data structure, per se.
710, Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems:
Input/Output, subclass 105 for bus protocols, per se.
712, Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems:
Processing Architecture and Instruction Processing,
subclasses 220-248 for processing control including branch
instruction computer.
714, Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems:
Error Detection/Correction and Fault Detection/Recovery,
subclasses 746-797 for correcting errors in the transmitted
data such as parity checking and cyclical redundancy
checking.
Subclass:
316
Managed object system:
This subclass is indented under subclass 315. Subject
matter comprising means or steps for managing an object
system that may include distributed object systems or
distributed object models.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
707, Data Processing-Database and File Management, Data
Structures, or Document Processing, subclass 103 for an
object oriented database.
Subclass:
317
Agent:
This subclass is indented under subclass 313. Subject
matter comprising means or steps for using a software program
that automatically performs some information gathering or
processing task in the background on behalf of another entity
which would otherwise require some form of manual or directed
intervention.
Subclass:
318
Event handling or event notification:
This subclass is indented under subclass 310. Subject
matter comprising means or steps for communication of events
between application programs or processes or within the
context of application programs or processes.
(1) Note. Event handling, event notification and system
level exception processing are properly classified here.
Subclass:
319
Data transfer between operating systems:
This subclass is indented under subclass 310. Subject
matter comprising means or steps for communication of data or
messages between discrete operating systems.
(1) Note. An operating system is a software platform on top
of which application programs run.
Subclass:
320
High level application control:
This subclass is indented under subclass 310. Subject
matter comprising means or steps for communication of data,
commands, or messages between at least one controlling
script, macro or other high level controlling program, and at
least one controlled application program.
(1) Note. The high-level control program, macro, or script
automatically controls the flow of input commands or data to
the application program so as to provide automated high level
control of at least one application program.
Subclass:
321
Device driver communication:
This subclass is indented under subclass 310. Subject
matter comprising means or steps for communication between
application programs or operating systems and callable
interfacing programs (i.e., device driver programs) which
further facilitate communication or control of peripheral
hardware devices such as printers, disk drives, tape drives,
CRT displays, etc.
(1) Note. Subject matter under this subclass is directed to
high-level communication from an operating system or
application program to a device driver program (i.e., program
to program). Device drivers are software programs which are
custom designed to handle the low-level implementation
details required to directly access and control a particular
peripheral device (i.e., program to hardware). See the
appropriate peripheral device area for details of how the
low-level control of the hardware device is implemented.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
220-253, for configuring a network computer.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
358, Facsimile, various subclasses for the recordation,
reproduction and transmission of images of arbitrary
composition, particularly subclasses 1.1-1.18 for a static
presentation computer per se. and in particular subclasses
1.14 and 1.15 for reliability and data communication, per
se.
710, Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems:
Input/Output, subclasses 1-74 for Input/Output data
computer, per se, including subclass 8 for generalized
peripheral configuration, per se, subclass 10 for address
assignment and configuration initialization, subclass 11 for
protocol selection, and subclass 20 for concurrent
Input/Output computer and data transfer.
711, Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems:
Memory, subclasses 100-173 for managing memory and for
memory accessing and control.
Subclass:
322
Multimedia device driver:
This subclass is indented under subclass 321. Subject
matter comprising means or steps for communication between
application programs or operating systems and callable
interfacing programs (i.e., device driver programs) which
further facilitate communication or control of peripheral
multimedia hardware devices, such as CD-ROM and audio
peripheral devices.
Subclass:
323
Video graphics device driver:
This subclass is indented under subclass 321. Subject
matter comprising means or steps for communication between
application programs or operating systems and callable
interfacing programs (i.e., device driver programs) which
further facilitate communication or control of peripheral
video graphics hardware devices.
Subclass:
324
Virtual device driver (VxD):
This subclass is indented under subclass 321. Subject
matter comprising software which virtualizes physical
hardware by intercepting application requests to use the
hardware and arbitrating between requests to access physical
hardware from different applications.
(1) Note. In the more extreme case, VxDs can provide a
"virtual" device that is not actually present at all, by
emulating the behavior of a hardware device. VxDs, by virtue
of their privileged access to the system, can also be used to
implement software monitors, debuggers, and to modify the
behavior of other software on the system.
Subclass:
325
RAID metadriver:
This subclass is indented under subclass 321. Subject
matter comprising means or steps for communication between an
operating system and meta device drivers associated with a
RAID (Redundant Array of Independent Disks) disk drive
array.
Subclass:
326
SCSI device driver:
This subclass is indented under subclass 321. Subject
matter comprising means or steps for communication between
application programs or operating systems and callable
interfacing programs (i.e., device driver programs) which
further facilitate communication or control of SCSI (Small
Computer System Interface) peripheral devices.
Subclass:
327
Device driver configuration:
This subclass is indented under subclass 321. Subject
matter comprising means or steps for configuring or matching
a peripheral hardware device with its appropriate
corresponding software device driver using lists, device
description tables, device managers, device libraries,
dynamic matching techniques, device binding techniques, and
the like.
(1) Note. Device driver configuration or matching may be
performed dynamically at any time, but is typically performed
subsequent to the physical installation of a new peripheral
hardware device.
(2) Note. Device driver matching may also be performed
during the booting process, and whenever the computer system
is configured or reconfigured.
Subclass:
328
Application program interface (API):
This subclass is indented under subclass 310. Subject
matter comprising a set of routines, procedures, or
interfaces which facilitate requests or calls from one or
more application programs to lower-level operating system
routines.
(1) Note. This subclass is directed to the tools which
allow application Programs to utilize an operating system,
application programs for specific information processing
tasks, such as, simulation and design. Program development
environments, business data processing, database systems,
machine translation and document processing are classified
elsewhere, see the SEE OR SEARCH CLASS notes below.
(2) Note. This subclass is directed to the tools which
allow application programs to utilize an operating system.
Programming tools, per se, are classified elsewhere, see the
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS notes below.
(3) Note. Object oriented data structure principles are may
be employed in the development of an API and are properly
classified here. Object oriented data structures, per se, are
classified elsewhere, see the SEE OR SEARCH CLASS notes
below.
(4) Note. An application program interface (API) is a set
of programming tools included with a software program or
operating system that allows a programmer to write
applications that work with that program or operating system.
APIs save programmers a lot of work by giving them easy ways
to "hook into" the various capabilities of a program or
operating system, instead of reinventing the wheel
themselves.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
200-253, for multicomputer data transferring, per se.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
345, Computer Graphics Processing, Operator Interface
Processing, and Selective Visual Display Systems, subclasses
327-332 for operator interface aspects of workgroup for
plural users or sites, and subclasses 339-357 for on-screen
workspaces or objects and subclass 346 for interwindow links
and communication.
395, Information Processing System Organization, subclass 500
for emulation of computer system components, and subclasses
701-710, for software development tools, per se.
705, Data Processing: Business Practice or Management System,
various subclasses, for applications of computers and
calculators in business and management environments.
707, Data Processing: Database and File Management, Data
Structures, or Document Processing, subclass 103 for object
oriented schema types.
710, Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems:
Input/Output, subclasses 260-269 for interrupt processing,
per se.
712, Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems:
Processing Architecture and Instruction Computer, subclasses
220-248 for computer control including branch instruction
computer.
Subclass:
329
Data transfer between application windows:
This subclass is indented under subclass 328. Subject
matter comprising means or steps for effecting communication
or data transfer between application programs or processes
executing within a graphical windowing environment.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
345, Computer Graphics Processing, Operator Interface
Processing, and Selective Visual Display Systems, subclass
346 for interwindow links and communication.
Subclass:
330
Remote procedure calling (RPC):
This subclass is indented under subclass 310. Subject
matter comprising means or steps for invoking a target
procedure in a remote address space.
(1) Note. A remote procedure call is distinguished from
local subroutine calls because the target procedure of a RPC
is invoked in a remote address space, therefore, pointers or
references to local data are invalid within the address space
of the remote machine. Addressing, per se, branch instruction
processing and compilers, per se, are classified elsewhere.
(2) Note. For clarification, remote procedure calls are
used in a distributed programming environment, communication
with a remote environment is simplified in that programmers
of distributed applications need not concern themselves with
implementation details of communication with another address
space, as support for the remote procedure call is provided
by a kernel of each machine, distributed data processing, per
se, and software development tools, however, are classified
elsewhere.
(3) Note. The subject matter of this subclass is directed
to remote procedure calls (RPC), although RPCs look a lot
like local procedure calls to the programmer, there are
slight differences in the calling semantics, in addition,
branching is a related topic, a concept search on RPC,
branching or local procedure calling should consider these
related topics are classified elsewhere in the class.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
201-203, for a distributed data computer.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
395, Information Processing System Organization, subclasses
701-710 for programming tools.
712, Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems:
Processing Architecture and Instruction Processing,
subclasses 220-248 for computer control including branch
instruction handling.
Subclass:
331
Dynamic linking, late binding:
This subclass is indented under subclass 310.. Subject
matter wherein functions contained within one or more
executable code libraries (e.g., a dynamic link library or
DLL) are called as needed at runtime by one or more
application programs.
(1) Note. For clarification, dynamic linking is
distinguished from static linking in that very large programs
can be executed in a limited memory space by loading and
invoking external executable libraries only when needed at
run time. The main executable program is much smaller than
would result if the libraries and object files had been
statically linked prior to runtime. In addition, multiple
applications may reference a single dynamic link library
(DLL). This eliminates redundant code and results in a more
modular system. Also, existing programs can be readily
updated without recompilation by providing updated DLLs.
(2) Note. In implicit dynamic linking, links between calls
in the application and functions in the DLL are resolved at
link time. In explicit dynamic linking, links between calls
in the application and functions in the DLL are resolved at
run time.
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS:
395, Information Processing System Organization, subclass 710
for generic linking.
Subclass:
332
Object oriented dynamic linking, late binding:
This subclass is indented under subclass 331. Subject
matter wherein dynamic linking or binding occurs in the
context of an object oriented environment.
Subclass:
400
SYNCHRONIZATION OF PLURAL PROCESSORS:
This subclass is indented under the class definition.
Subject matter comprising means or steps for synchronizing
the control or regulation of clocking or timing operations of
two or more processors.
(1) Note. Classification herein is proper if a single clock
or timing circuit controls the processors, plural clocks or
timing circuits are synchronized to control the processors,
or operations are synchronized to occur on the same clocking
or timing cycle.
(2) Note. Passing of data (e.g., tokens, semaphores) for
multicomputer synchronizing is classified elsewhere in this
class. See the SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS notes below.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
248 for multicomputer synchronization.
FOREIGN ART COLLECTIONS
The definitions below correspond to abolished subclasses from
which these collections were formed. See the Foreign Art
Collection Schedule of this Class for specific
correspondences. {Note: the titles and definitions for
indented art collections include all the details of the
one(s) that are hierarchically superior.}
Subclass: FOR 100
Communication engineering (e.g., pictorial and pulse com):
Foreign art collection including a data pro system or
calculating computer which is designed for use in the
transmission of information or for the solution of a problem
in this area.
Subclass: FOR 101
Object detection or track: Foreign art collection including
subject matter wherein the area includes the sensing or fol
an object using radiant energy.
Subclass: FOR 102
Signal evaluation (target or noise): Foreign art collection
including subject matter wherein the signal is examined in
order to obtain an assessment of its inherent meaning,
probable accuracy, relevancy, and rela to a given situation
or context
Subclass: FOR 103
MULTICOMPUTER DATA TRANSFER RING: Foreign art collections
including subject matter wherein means or steps for
transferring data among a plurality of spatially distributed
(i.e., situated at different locations) computers or digital
data processing systems via one or more communications media
(e.g., computer networks) wherein the computers or digital
data processing systems employ the data in data processing
before or after the transferring, and wherein the data
processing affects the data transfer between the computers.
directed to a system for performing communica functions only
are classified in the communications art classes.
Subclass: FOR 104
Distributed data processing: Foreign art collections
including subject matter wherein the separate computers or
digital data process systems performing different tasks share
data to accomplish an overall goal.
Subclass: FOR 105
Processing agent: Foreign art collections including subject
matter wherein a data processing entity, executing within a
computer, autonomously establishes a dialog (e.g., a
negotiation) with another computer, on behalf of a user or
another processing entity, in order to transfer data between
the computers.
Subclass: FOR 106
Client/server: Foreign art collections including subject
matter wherein at least one local computer provides a user
interface and performs local data processing to interact with
at least one remote computer which implements data processing
(e.g., data management, data sharing) within a generic
time-sharing environment in response to the local computer to
transfer data between the local computer and the remote
computer.
Subclass: FOR 107
Computer conferencing: Foreign art collections including
subject matter comprising means or steps for enabling collab
processing of data by the computers or digital data
processing systems.
Subclass: FOR 108
Cooperative computer processing: Foreign art collections
including subject matter wherein the plural computers or
digital data processing systems jointly operate on the same
data.
Subclass: FOR 109
Demand based messaging: Foreign art collections including
subject matter comprising means or steps for processing user
data in response to a demand to transfer data between the
computers (e.g., electronic mail messaging).
Subclass: FOR 110
Priority based messaging: Foreign art collections including
subject matter comprising means or steps for processing data
in response to the priority characteristics of data
transferred between the computers (e.g., message priority
alerts).
Subclass: FOR 111
Master/slave computer controlling: Foreign art collections
including subject matter wherein one or more of the computers
(i.e., master com) regulates the operations of one or more of
the other computers (i.e., slave computers).
Subclass: FOR 112
Master/slave mode selecting: Foreign art collections
including subject matter wherein at least one of the
computers can function either as a master computer or as a
slave com.
Subclass: FOR 113
Slave computer locking: Foreign art collections including
subject matter comprising means or steps for restricting at
least one of the slave computers to exchange data with only
one of a plurality of master computers.
Subclass: FOR 114
Master accessing slave storage: Foreign art collections
including subject matter comprising means or steps for
enabling at least one of the regulating (i.e., master)
computers to store data to or read data from memory of at
least one of the of the regulated (i.e., slave) computers.
Subclass: FOR 115
Computer-to-computer direct memory accessing: Foreign art
collections including subject matter comprising means or
steps for transferring data between memories of different
computers with minimal or no intervention from main proces of
the computers.
Subclass: FOR 116
Multicomputer data transferring via shared memory: Foreign
art collections including subject matter wherein the
computers transfer data through one or more memories
accessible by the computers.
Subclass: FOR 117
Plural shared memories: Foreign art collections including
subject matter wherein at least one of the computers selects
at least one of a plurality of memories and transfers the
data through the selected memories.
Subclass: FOR 118
Partitioned shared memory: Foreign art collections including
subject matter wherein at least one of the computers
transfers the data through a single memory, which is
logically divided into sections, each of which is allo to one
of the computers.
Subclass: FOR 119
Accessing another computer's memory: Foreign art collections
including subject matter wherein at least one of the
computers directly transfers the data to or from memory
collocated with and allocated to at least one of the other
computers.
Subclass: FOR 120
Remote data accessing: Foreign art collections including
subject matter wherein computers located at distant sites
transfer data via at least one dedicated communications line
(e.g., a telephone connection).
Subclass: FOR 121
Using interconnected networks: Foreign art collections
including subject matter wherein independent computers are
linked by one or more interconnected networks (e.g., wide
area networks (WANs), the Internet ).
Subclass: FOR 122
Accessing a remote server: Foreign art collections including
subject matter wherein large blocks of data (e.g., streamed
data) are transferred between a remote file server and a
requesting computer.
Subclass: FOR 123
Network computer configuring: Foreign art collections
including subject matter comprising means or steps for
assigning oper characteristics to the computers.
Subclass: FOR 124
Reconfiguring: Foreign art collections including subject
matter wherein one of the computers transfers data (e.g.,
addresses, allocation tables, operating pro, etc.) to or from
another computer which changes the functional configuration
of one of the computers within the network after it has been
established.
Subclass: FOR 125
Initializing: Foreign art collections including subject
matter wherein one of the computers transfers data (e.g.,
addresses, allocation tables, operating pro, etc.) to or from
another computer which establishes the functional
configuration of one of the computers within the network.
Subclass: FOR 126
Computer network managing: Foreign art collections including
subject matter comprising means or steps for managing the
resources of the computers connected by a computer network or
of the network itself.
Subclass: FOR 127
Computer network monitoring: Foreign art collections
including subject matter comprising means or steps for
detecting or observing operating characteristics or condi of
computers connected through a com network or of the network
itself.
Subclass: FOR 128
Computer network access regulating; Foreign art collections
including subject matter comprising means or steps for
controlling which of the plural computers may transfer data
via the communications media.
Subclass: FOR 129
Network resource allocating: Foreign art collections
including subject matter comprising means or steps for
apportioning resources to one or more computers on a net.
Subclass: FOR 130
Computer-to-computer session/connection establishing: Foreign
art collections including subject matter compris means or
steps for creating a session con between the computers.
Subclass: FOR 131
Session/connection parameter setting: Foreign art collections
including subject matter comprising means or steps for
establishing at least one operational parameter for
transferring data for a session or connection between the
computers (e.g., protocol, address, or rate selection).
Subclass: FOR 132
Network resources access controlling: Foreign art collections
including subject matter comprising means or steps for
controlling or limiting access by computers on a network to
resources on the network (e.g., trusted third party
authentication).
Subclass: FOR 133
Computer-to-computer protocol implement: Foreign art
collections including subject matter comprising means or
steps for controlling the format and relative timing of
transfer of data between the computers in order to maintain
communication.
Subclass: FOR 134
Computer-to-computer data streaming: Foreign art collections
including subject matter comprising means or steps for
processing streamed data transferred between computers
wherein the data are transferred more or less continuously.
Subclass: FOR 135
Computer-to-computer data transfer regu: Foreign art
collections including subject matter comprising means or
steps for correcting or modifying the data transfer operation
to con with the operating conditions of the com.
Subclass: FOR 136
Transfer speed regulating: Foreign art collections including
subject matter comprising means or steps for controlling the
aggregate rate at which data are exchanged between the
computers (e.g., speed changing, rate optimization, packet
size optimization).
Subclass: FOR 137
Data flow compensating: Foreign art collections including
subject matter comprising means or steps for transferring
data from a first computer at a given rate or time,
temporarily storing the data, and transferring the data to
another computer at a different rate or at a later time
(e.g., data discarding, buffer overflow control, space or bit
insertion, buffer status flag supervising, transfer buffer
manage).
Subclass: FOR 138
Congestion avoiding: Foreign art collections including
subject matter comprising means or steps for controlling the
flow of data between the computers to prevent overfilling or
overcrowding the computers or the communications media with
data (e.g., throttling, traffic management, status signal).
Subclass: FOR 139
Computer-to-computer data framing: Foreign art collections
including subject matter comprising means or steps for
grouping data into a specified arrangement in order to
transfer the grouped data between the computers.
Subclass: FOR 140
Computer-to-computer handshaking: Foreign art collections
including subject matter comprising means or steps for
exchanging instruction data between computers to signal
readiness to exchange user data or to signal receipt of user
data.
Subclass: FOR 141
Computer-to-computer data routing: Foreign art collections
including subject matter comprising means or steps for
selecting a path via which the computers will transfer data.
Subclass: FOR 142
Alternate path routing: Foreign art collections including
subject matter comprising means or steps for selecting a sub
path when a desired path is unavailable (e.g., blocked
path).
Subclass: FOR 143
Prioritized data routing: Foreign art collections including
subject matter comprising means or steps for transferring the
data in accordance with a ranking assigned to the data.
Subclass: FOR 144
Least weight routing: Foreign art collections including
subject matter comprising means or steps for selecting the
path between source and destination by which the data are
transferred by optimizing at least one predetermined criteria
(e.g., cost, connect time, path length/delay, preferred
routing/carri, bandwidth utilization).
Subclass: FOR 145
Routing data updating: Foreign art collections including
subject matter comprising means or steps for periodically
exchanging control data indicating how to transfer data among
nodes or routes in a net.
Subclass: FOR 146
Decentralized controlling: Foreign art collections including
subject matter wherein each respective computer selects its
own path by which to transfer data associated with its
individual transfer operation or node (e.g., message
flooding).
Subclass: FOR 147
Centralized controlling: Foreign art collections including
subject matter wherein one computer selects the path(s) used
for data transfer by each of the other computers.
Subclass: FOR 148
Computer-to-computer data addressing: Foreign art collections
including subject matter comprising means or steps for
transferring address data associated with user data between
the computers to ensure that associated user data are
transferred to or from the intended computers.
Subclass: FOR 149
Computer-to-computer data modifying: Foreign art collections
including subject matter comprising means or steps for
changing a for of the data transferred between the com.
Subclass: FOR 150
Compressing/decompressing: Foreign art collections including
subject matter wherein the data are processed to reduce the
transfer payload volume or to recover the data from a
compressed payload.
Subclass: FOR 151
Multicomputer synchronizing: Foreign art collections
including subject matter her comprising means or steps for
matching timing between the computers.
Subclass: FOR 152
Multiple network interconnecting: Foreign art collections
including subject matter comprising means or steps for
coupling plural networks so that data can be transferred
there.
Subclass: FOR 153
Network-to-computer interfacing: Foreign art collections
including subject matter comprising means or steps for
integrating the computers with networks for orderly,
efficient operations.
Subclass: FOR 154
Ring computer networking: Foreign art collections including
subject matter wherein the computers are connected
sequentially in a loop configuration.
Subclass: FOR 155
Star or tree computer networking: Foreign art collections
including subject matter wherein the computers are connected
via the communi media in a branched configuration.
Subclass: FOR 156
Bused computer networking: Foreign art collections including
subject matter wherein the computers are connected to a
common transmission medium.
Subclass: FOR 157
VIRTUAL MACHINES TASK AND PRO MANAGEMENT: Foreign art
collections including subject matter wherein addresses are
determined in a memory system accommodating addressing
requirements for software emulation of a target computer or
dig data processing system on a base computer or digital data
processing system.
Subclass: FOR 158
SYNCHRONIZATION OF PLURAL PRO: Foreign art collections
including subject matter wherein control or regulation of
clocking or timing operations of two or more processors is
synchronized.
Subclass: FOR 159
TASK MANAGEMENT OR CONTROL: Foreign art collections including
subject matter com means or steps for administrating over
processor or job execution in a digital data pro system.
Subclass: FOR 160
Batch or transaction processing: Foreign art collections
including subject matter comprising means or steps directed
to (a) managing processes by collecting, listing, and storing
jobs for later sequential execution as a group with user
intervention (i.e., batch processing), or (b) executing jobs
immediately after they are received by a system and occurring
in groups (i.e., transaction processing).
Subclass: FOR 161
Process scheduling: Foreign art collections including subject
matter comprising means or steps for scheduling multiple
tasks based upon any considered factors, e.g., prior of
execution, balancing the work load or resources, memory use,
register use, resource availability, time constraints, etc.
Subclass: FOR 162
Priority scheduling: Foreign art collections including
subject matter for deter an order of execution of jobs to be
done based on the level of relative importance or precedence
assigned with each job.
Subclass: FOR 163
Resource allocation: Foreign art collections including
subject matter for allocat digital data processing system
resources for tasks and often including deciding how best to
use the available resources to get the job done.
Subclass: FOR 164
Load balancing: Foreign art collections including subject
matter directed to minimizing processing execution time by
effi distributing work load amongst opera computers,
processors and other system resources.
Subclass: FOR 165
Dependency-based cooperative processing of multiple programs
working together to accomplish a larger task: Foreign art
collections including subject matter com means or steps for
identifying and deal with dependencies between executing
programs, tasks and processes (e.g., data dependencies,
control flow dependencies, etc.).
Subclass: FOR 166
Multitasking, time sharing: Foreign art collections
including subject matter comprising means or steps for
dividing processor time of a computer or digital data
processing system between multiple executing programs or
pro.
Subclass: FOR 167
Context switching: Foreign art collections including subject
matter com means or steps for saving and restoring state data
(i.e., context) of a task, process, or thread in a
preemptive, nonpreemptive, or cooperative multitasking
system.
Subclass: FOR 168
INTERPROGRAM COMMUNICATION, INTERPROCESS COMMUNICATION:
Foreign art collections including subject matter com means or
steps for exchanging data or messages between two executing
programs or processes, independent of the hardware used in
the communication.
Subclass: FOR 169
Device driver communication: Foreign art collections
including subject matter comprising means or steps for
communication between application programs and/or operating
systems and callable interfacing programs (i.e., device
driver programs) which further facilitate com and/or control
of peripheral hardware devices such as printers, disk drives,
tape drives, CRT displays, etc.
Subclass: FOR 170
Application program interfacing (API): Foreign art
collections including subject matter comprising a set of
routines, procedures, or interfaces which facilitate requests
or calls from one or more application programs to lower-level
oper system routines.
Subclass: FOR 171
Object-oriented messaging: Foreign art collections including
subject matter comprising means or steps for communication
between objects (e.g., a message tells a receiving object
what to do) wherein a method or member func of a receiving
object is invoked or called by a sending method of a sending
object and the message passing may involve passing actual
parameters (i.e., for example, either by reference or by
value) to the target object.
Subclass: FOR 172
Remote procedure calling (RPC): Foreign art collections
including subject matter comprising means or steps for
invoking a target procedure in a remote address space.
Subclass: FOR 173
Dynamic linking, late binding: Foreign art collections
including subject matter wherein functions contained within
one or more executable code libraries (e.g., a dynamic link
library or DLL) are called as needed at runtime by one or
more application programs.
Information Products Division -- Contacts
Questions regarding this report should be directed to:
U.S. Patent and Trademark Office
Information Products Division
PK3- Suite 441
Washington, DC 20231
tel: (703) 306-2600
FAX: (703) 306-2737
email: oeip@uspto.gov
Last Modified: 6 October 2000