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US5745748A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

System and method for direct accessing of remote data

Assignee: Sprint Communications Co LP
•
Filing: 1994-12-09
•
Granted: 1998-04-28
•
Expires: 2014-12-09
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Abstract

Abstract A data access client program resides on a local computer and a data access server program resides on a remote computer. The programs are adapted to enable an application program on the local computer to access data stored on the remote computer. The client and server programs are adapted to communicate with one another over a communication link, preferably one employing the Advanced Program to Program Communication (APPC) protocol. The user stores the attributes of remote files to be accessed on a predetermined computer. When the application program on the local computer issues a remote data access request, the data access client program communicates the request to the data access server program. The server is configured to obtain the previously stored file attributes and to access the data requested by the application program based thereon. The server returns the requested information to the client, which in turn provides the information to the application program. The invention is adapted for use with a COBOL application development system and for accessing an individual record of the remote data file, such as during debugging operations in the application development system.

Inventors

  • 👤 Nauman Ahmad
  • 👤 Joseph Arthur Burnett

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-24 19:58
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F16/00; G06F16/10; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/912; Y10S707/922; Y10S707/953; Y10S707/959

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 93
Claim 1
Independent Claim 149 words
A system for accessing a data file on a remote computer by an application program within a COBOL application development system on a local computer over a communication link enabling electronic data transfer between the local computer and the remote computer, said system comprising: an attribute file stored on a predetermined computer, said attribute file containing file attributes for the data file; a data access server program adapted to run on the remote computer, to communicate over the communication link, to obtain said file attributes and thereby to access the data file; and a data access client program adapted to run on the local computer, said data access client program being adapted to communicate with said data access server program over the communication link and with the application program within the COBOL application development system on the local computer, thereby enabling the application program to access the data file.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 149 words
A system for accessing a data file on a remote computer by an application program within a COBOL application development system on a local computer over a communication link enabling electronic data transfer between the local computer and the remote computer, said system comprising: an attribute file stored on a predetermined computer, said attribute file containing file attributes for the data file; a data access server program adapted to run on the remote computer, to communicate over the communication link, to obtain said file attributes and thereby to access the data file; and a data access client program adapted to run on the local computer, said data access client program being adapted to communicate with said data access server program over the communication link and with the application program within the COBOL application development system on the local computer, thereby enabling the application program to access the data file.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 27 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said data access server program is adapted to communicate over the communication link using the Advanced Program to Program Communication protocol.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 27 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said data access client program is adapted to communicate over the communication link using the Advanced Program to Program Communication protocol.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 34 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said data access client program and said data access server program are adapted to access the data file on the remote computer stored in a sequential access format.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 35 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said data access client program and said data access server program are adapted to access the data file on the remote computer stored in an indexed sequential access format.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 34 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said data access client program and said data access server program are adapted to access the data file on the remote computer stored in a random access format.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 38 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said data access client program and said data access server program are adapted to access the data file on the remote computer stored in a format accessible by a database management program.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 14 words
The system of claim 7, wherein the format is the Information Management System format.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 35 words
The system of claim 1, further comprising means for communicating network security information to the remote computer from the local computer to enable the application program on the local computer to access the data file.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim 35 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said data access server program and said data access client program are adapted to enable the application program on the local computer to modify data on the remote computer.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim 35 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said data access server program and said data access client program are adapted to enable the application program on the local computer to store data on the remote computer.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 13 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said predetermined computer is the remote computer.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 13 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said predetermined computer is the local computer.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 23 words
The system of claim 1, further comprising a map file stored on the local computer containing a file designator for the data file.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 35 words
The system of claim 14, wherein said data access client program is further adapted to determine, based on said map file, whether to communicate with said data access server program to access the data file.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim 20 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said system is adapted to access the data file one record at a time.
Claim 18
Independent Claim 159 words
A system for accessing a data file on a remote computer by an application program within a COBOL application development system executing on a local computer, said system comprising: a remote computer containing the data file; a local computer; a communication link enabling the transfer of data between said remote computer and said local computer; an attribute file stored on a predetermined computer, said attribute file containing file attributes for the data file; a data access server program adapted to run on said remote computer, to communicate over said communication link, to obtain said file attributes and to access the data file; and a data access client program adapted to run on said local computer, said data access client program being adapted to communicate with said data access server program over said communication link and with the application program within the COBOL application development system on said local computer, thereby enabling the application program to access the data file.
Claim 19
Independent Claim 159 words
A system for accessing a data file on a remote computer by an application program within a COBOL application development system executing on a local computer, said system comprising: a remote computer containing the data file; a local computer; a communication link enabling the transfer of data between said remote computer and said local computer; an attribute file stored on a predetermined computer, said attribute file containing file attributes for the data file; a data access server program adapted to run on said remote computer, to communicate over said communication link, to obtain said file attributes and to access the data file; and a data access client program adapted to run on said local computer, said data access client program being adapted to communicate with said data access server program over said communication link and with the application program within the COBOL application development system on said local computer, thereby enabling the application program to access the data file.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim 27 words
The system of claim 17, wherein said data access server program is adapted to communicate over said communication link using the Advanced Program to Program Communication protocol.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 27 words
The system of claim 17, wherein said data access client program is adapted to communicate over said communication link using the Advanced Program to Program Communication protocol.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 34 words
The system of claim 17, wherein said data access client program and said data access server program are adapted to access the data file on said remote computer stored in a sequential access format.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim 35 words
The system of claim 17, wherein said data access client program and said data access server program are adapted to access the data file on said remote computer stored in an indexed sequential access format.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 34 words
The system of claim 17, wherein said data access client program and said data access server program are adapted to access the data file on said remote computer stored in a random access format.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 38 words
The system of claim 17, wherein said data access client program and said data access server program are adapted to access the data file on said remote computer stored in a format accessible by a database management program.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 14 words
The system of claim 23, wherein the format is the Information Management System format.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 35 words
The system of claim 17, further comprising means for communicating network security information to said remote computer from said local computer to enable the application program on said local computer to access the data file.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 35 words
The system of claim 17, wherein said data access server program and said data access client program are adapted to enable the application program on said local computer to modify data on said remote computer.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 35 words
The system of claim 17, wherein said data access server program and said data access client program are adapted to enable the application program on said local computer to store data on said remote computer.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim 13 words
The system of claim 17, wherein said predetermined computer is said remote computer.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim 13 words
The system of claim 17, wherein said predetermined computer is said local computer.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim 27 words
The system of claim 17, further comprising a map file stored on said local computer containing a file designator for the data file on said remote computer.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim 35 words
The system of claim 30, wherein said data access client program is further adapted to determine, based on said map file, whether to communicate with said data access server program to access the data file.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim 20 words
The system of claim 17, wherein said system is adapted to access the data file one record at a time.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim 155 words
A remote data access method for use in a data processing system having a remote computer containing data, a local computer containing an application program within a COBOL application development system adapted to access data, and a communication link enabling the transfer of data between the remote computer and the local computer, said method comprising: storing an attribute file on a predetermined computer, the attribute file containing file attributes for a data file residing on the remote computer; issuing a file transaction request from the application program to access the data file; transmitting the file transaction request from the local computer to the remote computer over the communication link; accessing the data file as directed by the file transaction request and the file attributes; and transmitting over the communication link the results of the file transaction request from the remote computer to the application program within the COBOL application development system on the local computer.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim 155 words
A remote data access method for use in a data processing system having a remote computer containing data, a local computer containing an application program within a COBOL application development system adapted to access data, and a communication link enabling the transfer of data between the remote computer and the local computer, said method comprising: storing an attribute file on a predetermined computer, the attribute file containing file attributes for a data file residing on the remote computer; issuing a file transaction request from the application program to access the data file; transmitting the file transaction request from the local computer to the remote computer over the communication link; accessing the data file as directed by the file transaction request and the file attributes; and transmitting over the communication link the results of the file transaction request from the remote computer to the application program within the COBOL application development system on the local computer.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim 25 words
The method of claim 33, wherein the remote computer is adapted to communicate over the communication link using the Advanced Program to Program Communication protocol.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim 25 words
The method of claim 33, wherein the local computer is adapted to communicate over the communication link using the Advanced Program to Program Communication protocol.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim 14 words
The method of claim 33, wherein the data file has a sequential access format.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim 15 words
The method of claim 33, wherein the data file has an indexed sequential access format.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim 14 words
The method of claim 33, wherein the data file has a random access format.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim 20 words
The method of claim 33, wherein the data file is stored in a format accessible by a database management program.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim 14 words
The method of claim 39, wherein the format is the Information Management System format.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim 33 words
The method of claim 33, further comprising communicating network security information to the remote computer from the local computer to enable the application program on the local computer to access the data file.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim 21 words
The method of claim 33, wherein accessing the data file on the remote computer includes modifying data on the remote computer.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim 21 words
The method of claim 33, wherein accessing the data file on the remote computer includes storing data on the remote computer.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim 13 words
The method of claim 33, wherein the predetermined computer is the remote computer.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim 13 words
The method of claim 33, wherein the predetermined computer is the local computer.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim 23 words
The method of claim 33, further comprising storing in a map file on the local computer a file designator for the data file.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim 27 words
The method of claim 46, further comprising determining from the map file whether to transmit a file transaction request from the local computer to the remote computer.
Claim 51
Independent Claim 158 words
A system for accessing a data file stored in the Information Management System (IMS) format on a remote computer by an application program within a COBOL application development system on a local computer over a communication link enabling electronic data transfer between the local computer and the remote computer, said system comprising: an attribute file stored on a predetermined computer, said attribute file containing file attributes for the data file; a data access server program adapted to run on the remote computer, to communicate over the communication link, to obtain said file attributes and based thereon to access the data file; and a data access client program adapted to run on the local computer, said data access client program being adapted to communicate with said data access server program over the communication link and with the application program within the COBOL application development system on the local computer, thereby enabling the application program to access the data file.
Claim 52
Independent Claim 158 words
A system for accessing a data file stored in the Information Management System (IMS) format on a remote computer by an application program within a COBOL application development system on a local computer over a communication link enabling electronic data transfer between the local computer and the remote computer, said system comprising: an attribute file stored on a predetermined computer, said attribute file containing file attributes for the data file; a data access server program adapted to run on the remote computer, to communicate over the communication link, to obtain said file attributes and based thereon to access the data file; and a data access client program adapted to run on the local computer, said data access client program being adapted to communicate with said data access server program over the communication link and with the application program within the COBOL application development system on the local computer, thereby enabling the application program to access the data file.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim 27 words
The system of claim 48, wherein said data access server program is adapted to communicate over the communication link using the Advanced Program to Program Communication protocol.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim 27 words
The system of claim 48, wherein said data access client program is adapted to communicate over the communication link using the Advanced Program to Program Communication protocol.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim 21 words
The system of claim 48, wherein said file attributes include the name of a Data Base Definition for the data file.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim 21 words
The system in claim 51, wherein said file attributes include the name of a Program Specification Block for the data file.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim 23 words
The system of claim 52, wherein said file attributes include a Program Control Block within the Program Specification Block for the data file.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim 13 words
The system of claim 53, wherein said predetermined computer is the local computer.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim 18 words
The system of claim 54, further comprising means for interactively storing said file attributes in said attribute life.
Claim 60
Independent Claim 156 words
A system for accessing a data file stored in a sequential access format on a remote computer by an application program within a COBOL application development system on a local computer over a communication link enabling electronic data transfer between the local computer and the remote computer, said system comprising: an attribute file stored on a predetermined computer, said attribute file containing file attributes for the data file; a data access server program adapted to run on the remote computer, to communicate over the communication link, to obtain said file attributes and based thereon to access the data file; and a data access client program adapted to run on the local computer, said data access client program being adapted to communicate with said data access server program over the communication link and with the application program within the COBOL application development system on the local computer, thereby enabling the application program to access the data file.
Claim 61
Independent Claim 156 words
A system for accessing a data file stored in a sequential access format on a remote computer by an application program within a COBOL application development system on a local computer over a communication link enabling electronic data transfer between the local computer and the remote computer, said system comprising: an attribute file stored on a predetermined computer, said attribute file containing file attributes for the data file; a data access server program adapted to run on the remote computer, to communicate over the communication link, to obtain said file attributes and based thereon to access the data file; and a data access client program adapted to run on the local computer, said data access client program being adapted to communicate with said data access server program over the communication link and with the application program within the COBOL application development system on the local computer, thereby enabling the application program to access the data file.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim 27 words
The system of claim 56, wherein said data access server program is adapted to communicate over the communication link using the Advanced Program to Program Communication protocol.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim 27 words
The system of claim 56, wherein said data access client program is adapted to communicate over the communication link using the Advanced Program to Program Communication protocol.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim 13 words
The system of claim 56, wherein said predetermined computer is the remote computer.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim 13 words
The system of claim 56, wherein said predetermined computer is the local computer.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim 18 words
The system of claim 56, further comprising a map file containing a file designator for the data file.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim 35 words
The system of claim 56, wherein said data access client program is further adapted to determine, based on said map file, whether to communicate with said data access server program to access the data file.
Claim 68
Independent Claim 157 words
A system for accessing a data file stored in an indexed sequential access format on a remote computer by an application program within a COBOL application development system on a local computer over a communication link enabling electronic data transfer between the local computer and the remote computer, said system comprising: an attribute file stored on a predetermined computer, said attribute file containing file attributes for the data file; a data access server program adapted to run on the remote computer, to communicate over the communication link, to obtain said file attributes and based thereon to access the data file; and a data access client program adapted to run on the local computer, said data access client program being adapted to communicate with said data access server program over the communication link and with the application program within the COBOL application development system on the local computer, thereby enabling the application program to access the data file.
Claim 69
Independent Claim 157 words
A system for accessing a data file stored in an indexed sequential access format on a remote computer by an application program within a COBOL application development system on a local computer over a communication link enabling electronic data transfer between the local computer and the remote computer, said system comprising: an attribute file stored on a predetermined computer, said attribute file containing file attributes for the data file; a data access server program adapted to run on the remote computer, to communicate over the communication link, to obtain said file attributes and based thereon to access the data file; and a data access client program adapted to run on the local computer, said data access client program being adapted to communicate with said data access server program over the communication link and with the application program within the COBOL application development system on the local computer, thereby enabling the application program to access the data file.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim 27 words
The system of claim 63, wherein said data access server program is adapted to communicate over the communication link using the Advanced Program to Program Communication protocol.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim 27 words
The system of claim 63, wherein said data access client program is adapted to communicate over the communication link using the Advanced Program to Program Communication protocol.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim 13 words
The system of claim 63, wherein said predetermined computer is the remote computer.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim 13 words
The system of claim 63, wherein said predetermined computer is the local computer.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim 18 words
The system of claim 63, further comprising a map file containing a file designator for the data file.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim 35 words
The system of claim 63, wherein said data access client program is further adapted to determine, based on said map file, whether to communicate with said data access server program to access the data file.
Claim 76
Independent Claim 118 words
A system for storing the file attributes of a data file stored on a remote computer from a local computer having a communication link enabling electronic data transfer between the local computer and the remote computer, said system comprising: a file attribute client program adapted to run on the local computer, said file attribute client being adapted to communicate over the communication link to enable the user to enter file attributes for the data file; and a file attribute server program on the remote computer adapted to communicate over the communication link and adapted to receive the file attributes from said file attribute client and to store the file attributes in an attribute file on a predetermined computer.
Claim 77
Independent Claim 118 words
A system for storing the file attributes of a data file stored on a remote computer from a local computer having a communication link enabling electronic data transfer between the local computer and the remote computer, said system comprising: a file attribute client program adapted to run on the local computer, said file attribute client being adapted to communicate over the communication link to enable the user to enter file attributes for the data file; and a file attribute server program on the remote computer adapted to communicate over the communication link and adapted to receive the file attributes from said file attribute client and to store the file attributes in an attribute file on a predetermined computer.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim 27 words
The system of claim 70, wherein said file attribute server program is adapted to communicate over the communication link using the Advanced Program to Program Communication protocol.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim 27 words
The system of claim 70, wherein said file attribute client program is adapted to communicate over the communication link using the Advanced Program to Program Communication protocol.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim 13 words
The system of claim 70, wherein the predetermined computer is the remote computer.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim 18 words
The system of claim 1, further comprising means for interactively storing said file attributes in said attribute file.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim 18 words
The system of claim 56, further comprising means for interactively storing said file attributes in said attribute file.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim 18 words
The system of claim 63, further comprising means for interactively storing said file attributes in said attribute file.
Claim 84
Independent Claim 131 words
A system for accessing a data file on a remote computer by an application program within a COBOL application development system on a local computer over a communication link enabling electronic data transfer between the local computer and the remote computer, said system comprising: an attribute file stored on a predetermined computer, said attribute file containing file attributes for the data file; data access server means on the remote computer for communicating over the communication link, obtaining said file attributes and accessing the data file; and data access client means on the local computer for communicating with said data access server means over the communication link and with the application program within the COBOL application development system on the local computer, thereby enabling the application program to access the data file.
Claim 85
Independent Claim 131 words
A system for accessing a data file on a remote computer by an application program within a COBOL application development system on a local computer over a communication link enabling electronic data transfer between the local computer and the remote computer, said system comprising: an attribute file stored on a predetermined computer, said attribute file containing file attributes for the data file; data access server means on the remote computer for communicating over the communication link, obtaining said file attributes and accessing the data file; and data access client means on the local computer for communicating with said data access server means over the communication link and with the application program within the COBOL application development system on the local computer, thereby enabling the application program to access the data file.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim 46 words
The system of claim 77, wherein the data file is stored in one of a plurality of formats and said data access server means and said data access client means are adapted to access the data file when stored in each of said plurality of formats.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim 35 words
The system of claim 77, further comprising means for communicating network security information to the remote computer from the local computer to enable the application program on the local computer to access the data file.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim 13 words
The system of claim 77, wherein said predetermined computer is the remote computer.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim 13 words
The system of claim 77, wherein said predetermined computer is the local computer.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim 23 words
The system of claim 77, further comprising a map file stored on the local computer containing a file designator for the data file.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim 35 words
The system of claim 82, wherein said data access client means is further adapted to determine, based on said map file, whether to communicate with said data access server means to access the data file.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim 18 words
The system of claim 77, further comprising means for interactively storing said file attributes in said attribute file.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim 20 words
The system of claim 77, wherein said system is adapted to access the data file one record at a time.

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 2001-04-27 2001-10-27 2002-04-28 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2005-04-27 2005-10-27 2006-04-28 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2009-04-27 2009-10-27 2010-04-28 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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