US6401099B1 — Asynchronous binding of named objects

Claim 1

Independent Claim 72 words

An object-oriented framework for providing asynchronous retrieval of data from a storage site for a client, wherein the client comprises plural instructions for executing, the object-oriented framework comprising: a naming object having a reference to the data; and a binding function callable from the client to initiate asynchronous retrieval of the data from the storage site, the client continuing instruction execution independently of the retrieval of the data from the storage site.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 72 words

An object-oriented framework for providing asynchronous retrieval of data from a storage site for a client, wherein the client comprises plural instructions for executing, the object-oriented framework comprising: a naming object having a reference to the data; and a binding function callable from the client to initiate asynchronous retrieval of the data from the storage site, the client continuing instruction execution independently of the retrieval of the data from the storage site.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 53 words

The object-oriented framework of claim 1 comprising: a bind context object for the client to register a call back interface callable from the naming object, wherein the call back interface exposes one or more functions supported by the client for the naming object to invoke in order to initiate communication with the client.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 25 words

The object-oriented framework of claim 2 wherein the call back interface exposes a function operable to notify the client about progress of the data retrieval.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 38 words

The object-oriented framework of claim 2 wherein the call back interface exposes a function for the naming object to get parameters relating to the data retrieval from the client, whereby the client controls aspects of the data retrieval.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 30 words

The object-oriented framework of claim 1 wherein the naming object operates in a data pull mode to retrieve the data from the storage site when the client reads the data.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 35 words

The object-oriented framework of claim 1 wherein the naming object operates in a data push mode to retrieve the data from the storage site and notify the client when the data is available for reading.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 54 words

The object-oriented framework of claim 1 comprising: an asynchronous storage object provided by the naming object for storing the data retrieved from the storage site, and for allowing access by the client to a part of the data already retrieved from the storage site during the data retrieval before the data retrieval is completed.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 80 words

The object-oriented framework of claim 7 wherein the asynchronous storage object has a non-blocking mode in which execution of the client is not blocked when accessing a part of the data not yet retrieved from the storage site, and a blocking mode in which execution of the client is blocked when accessing the part of the data not yet retrieved from the storage site, the asynchronous storage object operating in the blocking or non-blocking mode as set by the client.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 27 words

The object-oriented framework of claim 1 wherein the naming object is operative to perform asynchronous or synchronous data retrieval depending on a flag set by the client.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 22 words

The object-oriented framework of claim 1 comprising: a function provided by the naming object for the client to interrupt the data retrieval.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 32 words

The object-oriented framework of claim 1 comprising: a binding interface provided by the naming object and having functions callable from the client to cause the data retrieval to abort, suspend, and resume.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 44 words

The object-oriented framework of claim 1 comprising: a plurality of other naming objects for retrieving data from storage sites; the naming object performing the data retrieval according to a priority set by the client relative to data retrievals performed by the other naming objects.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 38 words

The object-oriented framework of claim 1 wherein the reference is a resource identifier of data residing on a remote computer network, the naming object operating to asynchronously retrieve the data for the client from the remote computer network.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 41 words

The object-oriented framework of claim 13 in which the naming object obtains information of any preferred formats for the data from the client, and retrieves the data from the remote computer network in an available one of the preferred data formats.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 34 words

The object-oriented framework of claim 13 in which the naming object performs media type negotiation between the client and the remote computer network of a format in which the naming object retrieves the data.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 64 words

The object-oriented framework of claim 13 comprising: a bind context object for the client to register an interface provided by the client having a format enumeration function callable from the naming object for the client to request any preferred formats for the data, the naming object operating to retrieve the data in an available one of the preferred formats from the remote computer network.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 46 words

The object-oriented framework of claim 13 comprising: a bind context object for the client to register an interface provided by the client having an authentication function callable from the naming object for the client to provide authentication of the data retrieval from the remote computer network.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 39 words

The object-oriented framework of claim 13 in which the naming object performs parameter negotiation between the client and the remote computer network of a transport protocol with which the naming object retrieves the data from the remote computer network.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 48 words

The object-oriented framework of claim 13 comprising: a bind context object for the client to register an interface provided by the client having functions callable from the naming object for the client to negotiate parameters of a transport protocol for retrieving the data from the remote computer network.

Claim 21

Independent Claim 99 words

A method of retrieving data in a computer system, comprising: providing an interface of a naming object having a reference designating stored data to a client application, wherein the client application comprises plural instructions for executing, the interface exposing a binding function of the naming object operative to perform a binding operation on the stored data; and on a call from the client application to the binding function, initiating binding the stored data as a background process while returning execution to the client application, the client application continuing instruction execution independently of the binding operation on the stored data.

Claim 22

Independent Claim 99 words

A method of retrieving data in a computer system, comprising: providing an interface of a naming object having a reference designating stored data to a client application, wherein the client application comprises plural instructions for executing, the interface exposing a binding function of the naming object operative to perform a binding operation on the stored data; and on a call from the client application to the binding function, initiating binding the stored data as a background process while returning execution to the client application, the client application continuing instruction execution independently of the binding operation on the stored data.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 54 words

The method of claim 20 comprising receiving a call back interface on the client application, the call back interface exposing at least one function supported by the client application callable from the naming object for sending notifications relating to the binding operation of the stored data from the naming object to the client application.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 36 words

The method of claim 21 comprising: repeatedly calling a progress notification function of the call back interface during the binding operation to provide an indication of the progress of the binding operation to the client application.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 47 words

The method of claim 21 comprising: calling a data available notification function of the call back interface to notify the client application at a time before the binding operation is completed that a retrieved part of the stored data is available for the client application to access.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 34 words

The method of claim 21 comprising: calling a stop binding notification function of the call back interface to notify the client application of a status of the binding operation at ending the binding operation.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 41 words

The method of claim 20 comprising: passing a binding interface by the naming object to the client application, the binding interface exposing an abort function; and terminating the binding operation upon a call from the client application to the abort function.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 60 words

The method of claim 20 comprising: passing a binding interface by the naming object to the client application, the binding interface exposing a suspend function and a resume function; suspending the binding operation upon a call from the client application to the suspend function; and resuming the binding operation upon a call from the client application to the resume function.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 55 words

The method of claim 20 comprising: passing a binding interface by the naming object to the client application, the binding interface exposing a priority setting function; and establishing a priority of a thread for executing the binding operation according to a value passed from the client application in a call to the priority setting function.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 94 words

The method of claim 20 comprising: providing an interface of a bind context object to the client application, the bind context object operative to register a call back interface of the client application, wherein the call back interface exposes functions supported by the client application callable from the naming object to initiate communication with the client application; receiving the interface of the bind context object in the client application's call to the binding function; and calling functions on the call back interface to provide notifications to the client application relating to the binding operation.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 71 words

The method of claim 20 comprising, in the binding operation: creating a storage object having an interface which exposes a read function for reading data in the storage object; passing the interface of the storage object to the client application; and retrieving the stored data into the storage object by the background process, whereby the client application has access to the stored data in the storage object during the binding operation.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 38 words

The method of claim 29 comprising: returning a retrieval pending error notification to the client application when the client application calls the read function to access the stored data which is not yet retrieved into the storage object.

Claim 33

Independent Claim 166 words

A method of creating a moniker object to retrieve data referenced by a name, the name having a prefix portion indicative of a transport protocol followed by a colon character, the method comprising: registering a program identifier indicative of the transport protocol in association with a class identifier in a registry database, the class identifier being associated with a server application which supports a class of transport protocol object, objects of said class being operative to communicate using the transport protocol to retrieve named data and having a name parsing function operative to create monikers from names using the transport protocol; parsing the prefix portion up to the colon character from the name; searching the program identifiers in the registry for a match to the prefix portion; on matching the prefix portion to the program identifier indicative indicative of the transport protocol, instantiating a transport protocol object of said class and calling the name parsing function on the name so as to create the moniker object.

Claim 34

Independent Claim 166 words

A method of creating a moniker object to retrieve data referenced by a name, the name having a prefix portion indicative of a transport protocol followed by a colon character, the method comprising: registering a program identifier indicative of the transport protocol in association with a class identifier in a registry database, the class identifier being associated with a server application which supports a class of transport protocol object, objects of said class being operative to communicate using the transport protocol to retrieve named data and having a name parsing function operative to create monikers from names using the transport protocol; parsing the prefix portion up to the colon character from the name; searching the program identifiers in the registry for a match to the prefix portion; on matching the prefix portion to the program identifier indicative indicative of the transport protocol, instantiating a transport protocol object of said class and calling the name parsing function on the name so as to create the moniker object.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 142 words

A storage medium having instructions therein for causing a computer to perform a data retrieval method comprising the steps of: creating a bind context object for storing information relating to a binding operation; registering a call back interface supported by a client application with the bind context object, wherein the call back interface exposes functions supported by the client application callable from the naming object to initiate communication with the client application, and wherein the client application comprises plural instructions for executing; creating a moniker object containing a name that references stored data and having a bind function; initiating a binding operation in the bind function which executes asynchronously of the client application, the client application continuing instruction execution independently of the binding operation; and providing notifications to the client application relating to the binding operation's status with the call back interface.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 142 words

A storage medium having instructions therein for causing a computer to perform a data retrieval method comprising the steps of: creating a bind context object for storing information relating to a binding operation; registering a call back interface supported by a client application with the bind context object, wherein the call back interface exposes functions supported by the client application callable from the naming object to initiate communication with the client application, and wherein the client application comprises plural instructions for executing; creating a moniker object containing a name that references stored data and having a bind function; initiating a binding operation in the bind function which executes asynchronously of the client application, the client application continuing instruction execution independently of the binding operation; and providing notifications to the client application relating to the binding operation's status with the call back interface.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 47 words

The storage medium of claim 32 wherein the data retrieval method further comprises: returning a bind interface from the moniker object to the client application, the bind interface having functions for at least one of aborting, suspending, resuming, and setting an execution priority of the binding operation.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 38 words

The storage medium of claim 32 wherein the step of providing notifications in the method comprises: repeatedly providing progress notifications during the binding operation to the client application indicative of which proportion of the binding operation is complete.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 46 words

The storage medium of claim 32 wherein the method comprises: registering information in the bind context of any media types acceptable to the client application for retrieving the stored data; and retrieving the stored data in the binding operation in one of said acceptable media types.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 138 words

In a computer system having at least one computer, a moniker object comprising: a name element for storing a name that identifies data stored in the computer system; an interface structure through which a client invokes method elements of the moniker object via synchronous calls that suspend instruction execution of the client pending return from the synchronous calls; and a bind method element invoked by the client through such a synchronous call using the interface structure, the invoked bind method element operating to commence a retrieval operation to retrieve the data identified by the name and to return from said synchronous call during the retrieval operation, the return from said synchronous call permitting continued instruction execution of the client independent of the retrieval operation, whereby the continued instruction execution of the client occurs asynchronously of the retrieval operation.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 138 words

In a computer system having at least one computer, a moniker object comprising: a name element for storing a name that identifies data stored in the computer system; an interface structure through which a client invokes method elements of the moniker object via synchronous calls that suspend instruction execution of the client pending return from the synchronous calls; and a bind method element invoked by the client through such a synchronous call using the interface structure, the invoked bind method element operating to commence a retrieval operation to retrieve the data identified by the name and to return from said synchronous call during the retrieval operation, the return from said synchronous call permitting continued instruction execution of the client independent of the retrieval operation, whereby the continued instruction execution of the client occurs asynchronously of the retrieval operation.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 55 words

The moniker object of claim 36 in combination with a bind context object for the client to register a call back interface callable from the moniker object, wherein the call back interface exposes one or more functions supported by the client for the moniker object to invoke in order to initiate communication with the client.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 46 words

The moniker object of claim 36 in combination with an asynchronous storage object provided by the moniker object for storing retrieved data, and for allowing access by the client to a part of the retrieved data during the retrieval operation before the retrieval operation is completed.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 39 words

The moniker object of claim 36 further comprising: a flow control element invoked by the client through such a synchronous call using the interface structure, the invoked flow control element operating to affect the execution of the retrieval operation.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 45 words

The moniker object and bind context object of claim 38 wherein the moniker object obtains information of any preferred data formats from the client, and retrieves the data from a remote computer in the computer system in an available one of the preferred data formats.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 17 words

The object-oriented framework of claim 1 wherein the data retrieval and the client instruction execution occur concurrently.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 15 words

The object-oriented framework of claim 1 wherein the data retrieval occurs as a background process.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 114 words

An object-oriented framework for providing asynchronous retrieval of data from a storage site for a client application program, wherein the client application program includes plural instructions for executing, and wherein the client application program further includes a name that references a named item, the object-oriented framework comprising: association data defining an association of the name to the named item; a system object that exposes a programming interface to the client application program, wherein the programming interface includes a retrieval function, wherein the client application program initiates asynchronous retrieval of data for the named item through the retrieval function, and wherein the client application program continues instruction execution independently of the asynchronous retrieval of data.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 114 words

An object-oriented framework for providing asynchronous retrieval of data from a storage site for a client application program, wherein the client application program includes plural instructions for executing, and wherein the client application program further includes a name that references a named item, the object-oriented framework comprising: association data defining an association of the name to the named item; a system object that exposes a programming interface to the client application program, wherein the programming interface includes a retrieval function, wherein the client application program initiates asynchronous retrieval of data for the named item through the retrieval function, and wherein the client application program continues instruction execution independently of the asynchronous retrieval of data.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 38 words

The object-oriented framework of claim 43 wherein the programming interface returns to the client application program a reference to a control interface, and wherein the client application program controls the asynchronous retrieval of data through the control interface.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 14 words

The object-oriented framework of claim 43 wherein the name reflects a hierarchical name space.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 28 words

The object-oriented framework of claim 43 wherein the name indicates a transport protocol, and wherein the initiated asynchronous retrieval of data occurs according to the indicated transport protocol.

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 18 words

The object-oriented framework of claim 43 wherein the system object places the asynchronously retrieved data in persistent storage.

Claim 54

Dependent Claim 22 words

The object-oriented framework of claim 43 wherein the system object places the asynchronously retrieved data in an object associated with the name.

Claim 55

Dependent Claim 119 words

An object-oriented framework for providing asynchronous retrieval of data from a storage site for client application program, wherein the client application program includes plural instructions for executing, and wherein the client application program furthr includes a name that references a named item, the object-oriented framework comprising: association data defining an association of the name to the named item, wherein the name further indicates a transport protocol for retrieving data for the named item; a retrieval object that implements the transport protocol indicated by the name, wherein the retrieval object handles asynchronous retrieval of data for the named item at the transport protocol level, and wherein the client application program continues instruction execution independently of the asynchronous retrieval of data.

Claim 56

Dependent Claim 119 words

An object-oriented framework for providing asynchronous retrieval of data from a storage site for client application program, wherein the client application program includes plural instructions for executing, and wherein the client application program furthr includes a name that references a named item, the object-oriented framework comprising: association data defining an association of the name to the named item, wherein the name further indicates a transport protocol for retrieving data for the named item; a retrieval object that implements the transport protocol indicated by the name, wherein the retrieval object handles asynchronous retrieval of data for the named item at the transport protocol level, and wherein the client application program continues instruction execution independently of the asynchronous retrieval of data.

Claim 57

Dependent Claim 26 words

The object-oriented framework of claim 49 wherein the retrieval object exposes control interface that includes one or more functions for controlling the asynchronous retrieval of data.

Claim 58

Dependent Claim 18 words

the object-oriented framework of claim 49 wherein a system object encompasses the association data and the retrieval object.

Claim 59

Dependent Claim 15 words

The object-oreiented framework of claim 49 wherein computer storage persistently stores the asynchronously retrieved data.

Claim 60

Dependent Claim 18 words

The object-oriented framework of claim 49 wherein an object associated with the name encapsulates the asynchronously retrieved data.

Claim 61

Independent Claim 95 words

A method of communicating between a client application program and a system object to asynchronously retrieve data stored in a computer system, the method comprising: initiating by client application program an asynchronous retrieval operation of stored data for a named item, wherein the asynchronous data retrieval operation executes as a background process, and wherein the client application program continues execution independently of the asynchronous retrieval operation; and providing a control interface to the client application program, wherein the control interface includes functions for the client application program to call to control the asynchronous retrieval operation.

Claim 62

Independent Claim 95 words

A method of communicating between a client application program and a system object to asynchronously retrieve data stored in a computer system, the method comprising: initiating by client application program an asynchronous retrieval operation of stored data for a named item, wherein the asynchronous data retrieval operation executes as a background process, and wherein the client application program continues execution independently of the asynchronous retrieval operation; and providing a control interface to the client application program, wherein the control interface includes functions for the client application program to call to control the asynchronous retrieval operation.

Claim 63

Dependent Claim 28 words

The method of claim 54 further comprising: on a call from the client application program to an abort function of the control interface, aborting the asynchronous retrieval operation.

Claim 64

Dependent Claim 27 words

The method of claim 54 further comprising: on a call from the client application to a suspend function of the control interface, suspending the asynchronous retrieval operation.

Claim 65

Dependent Claim 15 words

The method of claim 54 further comprising: persistently storing asynchronously retrieved data in computer storage.

Claim 66

Dependent Claim 19 words

The method of claim 54 further comprising: encapsulating asynchronously retrieved data within an object associated with the named item.

Claim 67

Independent Claim 110 words

A method of communicating between a client application program and a system object to asynchronously retrieve data stored in a computer system, wherein the client application program includes a client object, the method comprising: initiating by a client application program an asynchronous retrieval operation of stored data for a named item, wherein the a synchronous data retrieval operation executes as a background process, and wherein the client application program continues execution independently of the asynchronous retrieval operation; and providing a callback interface to the system object, wherein the callback interface includes functions for the system object to call to notify the client object of events concerning the asynchronous retrieval operation.

Claim 68

Independent Claim 110 words

A method of communicating between a client application program and a system object to asynchronously retrieve data stored in a computer system, wherein the client application program includes a client object, the method comprising: initiating by a client application program an asynchronous retrieval operation of stored data for a named item, wherein the a synchronous data retrieval operation executes as a background process, and wherein the client application program continues execution independently of the asynchronous retrieval operation; and providing a callback interface to the system object, wherein the callback interface includes functions for the system object to call to notify the client object of events concerning the asynchronous retrieval operation.

Claim 69

Dependent Claim 29 words

The method of claim 59 comprising: on a call to a completion function of the callback interface, notifying the client object of the completion of the asynchronous retrieval operation.

Claim 70

Dependent Claim 32 words

The method of claim 59 further comprising: on a call to a partial completion function of the callback interface, notifying the client object of the partial completion of the asynchronous retrieval operation.

Claim 71

Dependent Claim 15 words

The method of claim 59 further comprising: placing asynchronously retrieved data in persistent computer storage.

Claim 72

Dependent Claim 19 words

The method of claim 59 further comprising: placing asynchronously retrieved data in an object associated with the named item.

Claim 73

Dependent Claim 159 words

An object-oriented framework for providing asynchronous retrieval of data for a named item for a client application program, wherein the client application program includes plural instructions for executing, and wherein the client application program further includes a name that references the named item, the object-oriented framework comprising: a name parsing interface accessible to the client application program and operating to parse a name passed from the client application program in a request issued by the client application program to the interface, the name parsing interface identifying the type of the name and providing a name-type specific object to the client application program; and the name-type specific system object exposing a programming interface to the client application program wherein the programming interface includes a retrieval function, wherein the client application program initiates asynchronous retrieval of data for the named item through the retrieval function, and wherein the client application program continues instruction execution independently of the asynchronous retrieval of data.

Claim 74

Dependent Claim 159 words

An object-oriented framework for providing asynchronous retrieval of data for a named item for a client application program, wherein the client application program includes plural instructions for executing, and wherein the client application program further includes a name that references the named item, the object-oriented framework comprising: a name parsing interface accessible to the client application program and operating to parse a name passed from the client application program in a request issued by the client application program to the interface, the name parsing interface identifying the type of the name and providing a name-type specific object to the client application program; and the name-type specific system object exposing a programming interface to the client application program wherein the programming interface includes a retrieval function, wherein the client application program initiates asynchronous retrieval of data for the named item through the retrieval function, and wherein the client application program continues instruction execution independently of the asynchronous retrieval of data.

Claim 75

Dependent Claim 19 words

The object-oriented framework of claim 64 wherein the name-type specific system object encapsulates name to named item association data.

Claim 76

Dependent Claim 16 words

The object-oriented framework of claim 64 wherein the name-type specific system object is a moniker object.

Claim 77

Dependent Claim 131 words

An object-oriented framework for providing asynchronous data retrieval for a named item for a client application program, wherein the client application program includes plural instructions for executing, and wherein the client application program further includes a name that references the named item, the object-oriented framework comprising: a service object that instantiates one or more system objects, wherein the service object is callable from a client applicatino program; and a system object that exposes a programming interface to the client application program, wherein the service object instantiates the system object, wherein the programming interface includes a retrieval function, wherein the client application program initiates asynchronous retrieval of data for the named item through the retrieval function, and wherein the client application program continues instruction execution indenpendently of the asynchronous retrieval of data.

Claim 78

Dependent Claim 131 words

An object-oriented framework for providing asynchronous data retrieval for a named item for a client application program, wherein the client application program includes plural instructions for executing, and wherein the client application program further includes a name that references the named item, the object-oriented framework comprising: a service object that instantiates one or more system objects, wherein the service object is callable from a client applicatino program; and a system object that exposes a programming interface to the client application program, wherein the service object instantiates the system object, wherein the programming interface includes a retrieval function, wherein the client application program initiates asynchronous retrieval of data for the named item through the retrieval function, and wherein the client application program continues instruction execution indenpendently of the asynchronous retrieval of data.

Claim 79

Dependent Claim 16 words

The object-oriented framework of claim 67 wherein the service object instantiates a name-type specific system object.

Claim 80

Independent Claim 73 words

A method for encapsulating asynchronously retrieved data within an object for a client application program, wherein the client application program includes plural instructions for executing, the method comprising: de-referencing a data type to an object type; instantiating an object of the object type; asynchronously retrieving the data, wherein the client application program continues instruction execution independently of the asynchronous retrieval of the data; and encapsulating the asynchronously retrieved data within the instantiated object.

Claim 81

Independent Claim 73 words

A method for encapsulating asynchronously retrieved data within an object for a client application program, wherein the client application program includes plural instructions for executing, the method comprising: de-referencing a data type to an object type; instantiating an object of the object type; asynchronously retrieving the data, wherein the client application program continues instruction execution independently of the asynchronous retrieval of the data; and encapsulating the asynchronously retrieved data within the instantiated object.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2005-06-03	2005-12-03	2006-06-04	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2009-06-03	2009-12-03	2010-06-04	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2013-06-03	2013-12-03	2014-06-04	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Asynchronous binding of named objects

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