System for distributed task execution
AssigneeCorporation for National Research Initiatives
InventorsRobert E. Kahn, Vinton G. Cerf, David K. Ely
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Tasks can be done on a network of multiple computers interconnected by communication links. At each of the computers, Knowbot programs may be received and transmitted on the communication links, and may be stored and created; and execution of the tasks associated with the Knowbot programs may be advanced. Each Knowbot program includes a globally unique identifier; navigation information defining a route through the network; and information concerning a task to be done. Knowbot programs may interact with each other and with other network resources. Authenticated Knowbot service stations and Couriers may be used to protect data as well as control its application in the network environment according to stated terms and conditions.
Claims59
A method for enabling tasks to be done on a network comprising computers and a communication medium, comprising,
- at each of the computers, receiving mobile programs over the network, each mobile program having a structure of parts arranged to enable the structure and the parts to be commonly understood and processed at any of the computers in the network, the structure including an identifier that is globally unique at a given time across the network and that permits the existence and location of the mobile program to be controlled and determined at any of the computers in the network for at least as long as the mobile program exists;
- navigation information defining a route through the network;
- and information concerning a task to be done, the information being expressed in a manner that permits it to be interpreted at any of the computers in the network,
- at each of the computers in the network, advancing the execution of tasks associated with the mobile programs,
- storing the mobile programs,
- creating the mobile programs, and
- communicating the mobile programs over the network.
A method for enabling a computer on a network comprising computers and a communication medium to participate in a distributed mobile-program service environment, comprising, at the computer
- receiving mobile programs over the network, each mobile program including an identifier that is globally unique at a given time across the network and that permits the existence and location of the mobile program to be controlled and determined at any of the computers in the network for at least as long as the mobile program exists;
- navigation information defining a route through the network;
- and information concerning a task to be done, the information being expressed in a manner that permits it to be interpreted at any of the computers in the network,
- at each of the computers in the network, advancing the execution of tasks associated with the mobile programs,
- storing the mobile programs,
- creating the mobile programs, and
- communicating the mobile programs over the network.
A method for executing a local query of a remote repository via a communication medium of a network where the local query complies with a query protocol and the remote repository is responsive to queries which comply with a repository protocol, comprising
- locally generating a mobile program which is based on the local query and complies with a mobile program protocol,
- sending the mobile program to the remote repository via the communication channel of the network,
- at the remote repository, responding to the mobile program by querying the repository in accordance with the repository protocol, and
- returning the results of the query from the remote repository within a return mobile program which complies with the mobile-program protocol.
Apparatus for enabling tasks to be done on a network comprising computers and a communication medium, comprising
- a mobile-program service environment including, at each of the computers on the network, a mobile-program service station in the form of software running on a computer, the service station providing services which include
- receiving mobile programs over the network, each mobile program having a structure of parts arranged to enable the structure and the parts to be commonly understood and processed at any of the computers in the network, the structure including an identifier that is globally unique across the network and that permits the existence and location of the mobile program to be controlled and determined at any of the computers in the network for at least as long as the mobile program exists;
- navigation information defining a route through the network;
- and information concerning a task to be done, the information being expressed in a manner that permits it to be interpreted at any of the computers in the network,
- advancing the execution of tasks associated with the mobile programs at each of the computers in the network,
- storing the mobile programs,
- creating the mobile programs, and
- communicating the mobile program over the network.
A method for executing a local query of a remote knowledge-based system via a communication medium of a network where the local query complies with a query protocol and the remote knowledge-based system is responsive to queries which comply with a knowledge-based system protocol, comprising
- locally generating a mobile program which is based on the local query and complies with a mobile program protocol,
- sending the mobile program to the remote knowledge-based system via the communication medium of the network,
- at the remote knowledge-based system, responding to the mobile program by querying the knowledge-based system in accordance with the knowledge-based system protocol, and
- returning the results of the query from the remote knowledge-based system within a return mobile program which complies with the mobile program protocol.
A method for retrieving a digital object from a remote system, in which
- the remote system incorporates the object in a mobile program,
- the mobile program is sent to the local system,
- a local user accesses the digital object via the mobile program,
- the mobile program restricts access to portions of the object, requiring additional authorization and/or payment for access to the object, and
- notification is provided with respect to actions that are performed on the object.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.