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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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").

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.}

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.

Object detection or track: Foreign art collection including subject matter wherein the area includes the sensing or fol an object using radiant energy.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Cooperative computer processing: Foreign art collections including subject matter wherein the plural computers or digital data processing systems jointly operate on the same data.

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).

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).

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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 ).

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.

Network computer configuring: Foreign art collections including subject matter comprising means or steps for assigning oper characteristics to the computers.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Network resource allocating: Foreign art collections including subject matter comprising means or steps for apportioning resources to one or more computers on a net.

Computer-to-computer session/connection establishing: Foreign art collections including subject matter compris means or steps for creating a session con between the computers.

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).

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).

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.

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.

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.

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).

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).

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).

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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).

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

Multicomputer synchronizing: Foreign art collections including subject matter her comprising means or steps for matching timing between the computers.

Multiple network interconnecting: Foreign art collections
including subject matter comprising means or steps for coupling plural networks so that data can be transferred there.

Network-to-computer interfacing: Foreign art collections including subject matter comprising means or steps for integrating the computers with networks for orderly, efficient operations.

Ring computer networking: Foreign art collections including subject matter wherein the computers are connected sequentially in a loop configuration.

Star or tree computer networking: Foreign art collections including subject matter wherein the computers are connected via the communi media in a branched configuration.

Bused computer networking: Foreign art collections including subject matter wherein the computers are connected to a common transmission medium.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.).

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Remote procedure calling (RPC): Foreign art collections including subject matter comprising means or steps for invoking a target procedure in a remote address space.

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.