EP0438020A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and system for automatically controlling the distribution of data objects
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
•
Filing: 1990-12-12
•
Granted: —
•
Expires: 2010-12-12
Abstract
Abstract A method and system for collecting heterogeneous data objects into an electronic file folder in a computer integrated manufacturing system and distributing the file folder to a sequence of network destinations for appropriate response as specified by the originator of the file folder. A file folder manager process (25) automatically tracks the responses from the destinations and sends out reminder notices to destinations failing to respond by a specified due date. The file folder manager process automatically distributes the file folder to alternate destinations if a primary destination continues to be non-responsive beyond a second due date.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard Christopher Bale
- 👤 Emily Holland Hammer
- 👤 Stephen Paul Krosner
- 👤 Joseph Peter Martinek
- 👤 Dallas Howard Miller
- 👤 David Harold Withers
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 05:50
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06Q; G06Q10/00; G06Q10/10; G06F; G06F16/00; G06F16/90; G06F16/93; G06Q10/109
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
200 words
A method for automatically controlling the distribution of a plurality of data objects to a plurality of destinations in a computer-integrated manufacturing environment being characterized in that it comprises: establishing both a distribution list of said plurality of destinations to receive selected data objects and a precedence relationship among said plurality of destinations thereby creating multiple levels of destinations having an ordered relationship between said levels; collating the data object contents of an electronic file folder to be distributed to the plurality of destinations on said distribution list; routing the file folder electronically by an originator to a first level of destinations on said distribution list; tracking the responses of said first level of destinations and appending the commentary received from said first level of destinations to the contents of said file folder; routing the file folder electronically in succession to each additional level of destinations on said distribution list after all destinations at the immediately preceding level have responded; and tracking the responses of each additional level of destinations and appending the commentary received from the destinations at each level to the contents of the file folder before routing said file folder to the next succeeding level of destinations.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
99 words
The method according to claim 1 characterized in that said step of establishing both a distribution list and a precedence relationship includes: specifying the destinations that are to receive the file folder simultaneously and the destinations that are to receive the file folder serially; determining a hierarchy of multiple levels of destinations in which all of the destinations at each level must respond before the electronic file folder can be routed to the next sequentially higher level of destinations; and specifying both an action code and an initial due date for response for each destination on the distribution list.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method according to claim 2 characterized in that the action code specified for each destination indicates the type of response required by that destination.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
105 words
The method according to claim 1 characterized in that said step of collating the data object contents of the electronic file folder includes: selecting each data object to be contained in the electronic file folder; listing each data object to be contained in the file folder in a file folder table of contents; placing within said file folder each listed data object that is stored in a data file whose size does not exceed a threshold file size; and placing a pointer within said file folder for each listed data object that is stored in a data file whose size exceeds said threshold file size.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method according to claim 4 characterized in that it further includes placing a reference locator within said file folder for each listed data object that is not stored in an electronic medium.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
106 words
The method according to claim 2 characterized in that the steps of tracking the responses of said first level and tracking the responses of each additional level of destinations includes: sending a notification electronically to the originator of the file folder when each response is received; sending a reminder electronically with a revised due date to each destination that fails to send a response to the file folder by said initial due date; and sending a notification electronically to an alternate destination that has approving authority for a destination of the file folder that fails to respond by said revised due date after receiving said reminder.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
78 words
The method according to claim 1 characterized in that it further includes: interrupting the distribution of said file folder to the next succeeding level of destinations if at least one of the destinations that have been sent the file folder disagrees with its contents; modifying the contents of the file folder to resolve the disagreement that interrupted the distribution; and routing the modified file folder in turn to the next succeeding level and each additional level of destinations.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method according to claim 7 characterized in that all modifications to the file folder are cumulative in effect so that only a single file folder containing each previous modification is being routed to said plurality of destinations at any time.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
145 words
A system for automatically controlling the distribution of data objects in a computer-integrated manufacturing environment having at least one data processor, at least one direct access storage device, and a plurality of individual workstations for interacting with the data processor and serving as destinations for said data objects, said system comprising: first logic means operating on a first data processor for collecting said data objects into an electronic file folder, routing said electronic file folder to a plurality of destination workstations, and tracking the responses made by each of said plurality of destination workstations after receiving said electronic file folder; and first interface means cooperative with each of said plurality of destination workstations and said first logic means for defining the contents of the electronic file folder and specifying the sequence in which said plurality of destination workstations are to receive said electronic file folder.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
60 words
The system according to claim 9 characterized in that it further includes second interface means cooperative with said first logic means for enabling a manufacturing application program operating on said first data processor to define the contents of said electronic file folder and specify the sequence in which said plurality of destination workstations are to receive said electronic file folder.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
32 words
The system according to claim 9 characterized in that it further includes means for storing said electronic file folder in a library of file folder descriptions on said direct access storage device.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
72 words
The system according to claim 9 characterized in that it further includes: communications services means for transmitting said electronic file folder to a second data processor remote from said first data processor; and second logic means operating on said second data processor for routing said electronic file folder to at least one destination workstation connected electrically to said second data processor and tracking the response of said at least one destination workstation.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
Maintenance schedule is calculated for granted US utility patents.