US5859978A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Managing application programs in a computer network by using a database of application objects
Assignee: EMC Corp
•
Filing: 1997-05-27
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Granted: 1999-01-12
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Expires: 2017-05-27
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for management of application programs in a computer network are disclosed. A modified hierarchical database which includes application objects that represent applications and their execution environments is utilized. Administrator tools support the creation, deletion, and modification of application objects. Each application object includes the location of an executable code for a given application, an icon, a working directory name, drive mappings, printer port captures, command line parameters, and similar information. An application launcher queries the database and updates a list of available applications which is kept in the user's desktop. The launcher automatically launches specified applications when a user runs the launcher. The launcher also uses the information in the application object to setup resources needed by the application, to create a process that executes the application, and to clean up after the application terminates. Resource setup involves mapping drives and capturing printer ports as needed. The database, the launcher, and the administrator tools allow consistent tracking and use of information about application programs and their execution environments in the network.
Inventors
- 👤 Kelly E. Sonderegger
- 👤 Kevin L. Hopton
- 👤 Matthew G. Brooks
- 👤 Andy Lawrence
- 👤 Damon Janis
- 👤 Lori K. Dayton
- 👤 Thomas B. Oldroyd
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 14:21
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F9/00; G06F9/06; G06F9/46; G06F9/465; G06F21/00; G06F21/60; G06F21/604; G06F9/44; G06F9/445
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
70 words
An application launcher for launching an application program in a computer network, the application launcher comprising: a resource setup routine for setting up network resources for use by the application program; a process initializer for causing an operating system to initialize a process control structure for the application program; and a routine which reads configuration settings from a launcher configuration attribute located in a hierarchical synchronized-partition database of network resources.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
70 words
An application launcher for launching an application program in a computer network, the application launcher comprising: a resource setup routine for setting up network resources for use by the application program; a process initializer for causing an operating system to initialize a process control structure for the application program; and a routine which reads configuration settings from a launcher configuration attribute located in a hierarchical synchronized-partition database of network resources.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
The application launcher of claim 1, wherein the configuration settings comprise a flag controlling manual icon refresh by a user.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The application launcher of claim 1, wherein the configuration settings comprise a flag controlling automatic icon refresh.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The application launcher of claim 1, wherein the configuration settings comprise a value controlling the number of container levels to search for application objects.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
67 words
An application launcher for launching an application program in a computer network, the application launcher comprising: a resource setup routine for setting up network resources for use by the application program; and a process initializer for causing an operating system to initialize a process control structure for the application program; wherein the resource setup routine accesses a hierarchical database to determine which network resources to set up.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
67 words
An application launcher for launching an application program in a computer network, the application launcher comprising: a resource setup routine for setting up network resources for use by the application program; and a process initializer for causing an operating system to initialize a process control structure for the application program; wherein the resource setup routine accesses a hierarchical database to determine which network resources to set up.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The application launcher of claim 5, wherein the hierarchical database includes synchronized partitions.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The application launcher of claim 5, wherein the hierarchical database includes a directory services database.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
13 words
The application launcher of claim 5, wherein the hierarchical database supports attribute inheritance.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The application launcher of claim 5, wherein the hierarchical database is defined at least in part by an API-extensible schema.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
14 words
The application launcher of claim 5, wherein the hierarchical database includes an application object.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The application launcher of claim 10, wherein the application object is platform-specific to a Microsoft® Windows™ environment.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
102 words
The application launcher of claim 11, wherein the application object has a plurality of attributes, each attribute has a name, a syntax, and a current value, the syntax limits the values assumed by the attribute, the resource setup routine is capable of reading attribute values, and the plurality of attributes comprises: a file path attribute having a string attribute syntax and having as its current value at least one location of an executable code of the application program; and a common name attribute having a string attribute syntax and having as its current value a textual name briefly identifying the application program.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The application launcher of claim 12, wherein the plurality of attributes further comprise an icon attribute.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
17 words
The application launcher of claim 12, wherein the plurality of attributes further comprise a working directory attribute.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
16 words
The application launcher of claim 12, wherein the plurality of attributes further comprise a flags attribute.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
The application launcher of claim 12, wherein the plurality of attributes further comprise a blurb attribute.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The application launcher of claim 12, wherein the plurality of attributes further comprise a startup script attribute.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The application launcher of claim 12, wherein the plurality of attributes further comprise a shutdown script attribute.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The application launcher of claim 12, wherein the plurality of attributes further comprise a licensing attribute.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
18 words
The application launcher of claim 12, wherein the plurality of attributes further comprise a command line parameters attribute.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
The application launcher of claim 12, wherein the plurality of attributes further comprise a drive mappings attribute.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
17 words
The application launcher of claim 12, wherein the plurality of attributes further comprise a printer ports attribute.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
16 words
The application launcher of claim 12, wherein the plurality of attributes further comprise a contacts attribute.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
16 words
The application launcher of claim 12, wherein the plurality of attributes further comprise a handler attribute.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
17 words
The application launcher of claim 12, wherein the plurality of attributes further comprise a searchmap path attribute.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
16 words
The application launcher of claim 12, wherein the plurality of attributes further comprise a catch-all attribute.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2002-01-11 | 2002-07-13 | 2003-01-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-01-11 | 2006-07-13 | 2007-01-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-01-11 | 2010-07-13 | 2011-01-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |