US 5,862,325 A · Computer-based communication system and method using metadata defining a control structure

Abstract

An automated communications system operates to transfer data, metadata and methods from a provider computer to a consumer computer through a communications network. The transferred information controls the communications relationship, including responses by the consumer computer, updating of information, and processes for future communications. Information which changes in the provider computer is automatically updated in the consumer computer through the communications system in order to maintain continuity of the relationship. Transfer of metadata and methods permits intelligent processing of information by the consumer computer and combined control by the provider and consumer of the types and content of information subsequently transferred. Object oriented processing is used for storage and transfer of information. The use of metadata and methods further allows for automating may of the actions underlying the communications, including communication acknowledgements and archiving of information. Service objects and partner servers provide specialized data, metadata, and methods to providers and consumers to automate many common communications services and transactions useful to both providers and consumers. A combination of the provider and consumer programs and databases allows for additional functionality, including coordination of multiple users for a single database.

Claims126

Dependent claims

A computer-based communication system comprising:

a provider memory storing information including provider information;
a consumer memory storing information including consumer information;
association means for creating metadata associating portions of said information and defining a control structure for processing at least at said consumer memory to associate with said metadata one or more processes for controlling the communication of said associated information, said metadata including update metadata associating a process for determining when said associated information has been updated and transfer metadata associating a process for transferring at least a portion of the updated information;
transfer means for transferring said information, including said metadata defining said control structure, from said provider memory to said consumer memory;
and
processing means for processing said metadata to execute instructions external to said control structure to perform said processes.

3 more elements

A computer-based communication system comprising:

a provider memory storing information including provider information;
a consumer memory storing information including consumer information;
association means for creating metadata associating portions of said information and defining a control structure for processing at least at said consumer memory to associate with said metadata processes for controlling the communication of said associated information, said metadata including data exchange metadata associating a process for controlling the transfer of feedback information, said feedback information including at least a portion of said consumer information, to said provider memory;
transfer means for transferring said information, including said metadata defining said control structure, from said provider memory to said consumer memory;
feedback transfer means for transferring said feedback information from said consumer memory to said provider memory;
and
processing means for executing instructions external to said control structure to perform said processes to control communications of said information.

4 more elements

A computer-based communication method, comprising operating one or more computers to communicate by performing the steps of:

in a provider memory, storing information including provider information;
in a consumer memory, storing information including consumer information;
creating metadata describing associations with portions of said information and defining a control structure which is processed at least at said consumer memory to associate one or more processes for controlling communications of said associated information, said metadata including update metadata associating a process for determining when said associated information has been updated and transfer metadata associating a process for transferring at least a portion of the updated information;
transferring said information, including said metadata defining said control structure, from said provider memory to said consumer memory;
and
processing said metadata to execute instructions external to said control structure to perform said processes.