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EP0447341A2 Expired / Lapsed EP ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Method for document distribution control in a data processing system

Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1991-02-05
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2011-02-05
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Abstract

Abstract A method for controlling document distribution in a data processing system. A distribution profile object is created and associated with each document for which control of distribution is desired. Within each distribution profile object are listed the addressees for which a document is intended in the order in which those specified addressees will receive the document. In one embodiment of the present invention, the distribution profile object also includes a specified action with regard to the document in question which shall be accomplished upon the completion of the specified distribution sequence. Additionally, the distribution profile object may include instructions on how to resolve deadlock situations in which the specified distribution sequence may not be accomplished. In this manner the method of the present invention permits a user to specify the order in which supervisory personnel or others must authorize a document for a selected action and a mechanism for determining whether or not the selected sequence has been followed.

Inventors

  • 👤 Marvin L. Williams

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction EP
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-09 20:56
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L12/00; H04L12/54; G; G06; G06Q; G06Q10/00; G06Q10/10

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim 79 words
A method of document administration in a data processing system containing a plurality of documents accessible by a plurality of users within said data processing system, said method comprising the steps of: creating a distribution profile object associated with a selected document within said data processing system; storing within said distribution profile object a specification for the distribution of said selected documents; and automatically distributing said selected document throughout said data processing system in accordance with said stored specification.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 65 words
The method of document administration in a data processing system containing a plurality of documents accessible by a plurality of users within said data processing system according to Claim 1 wherein said step of storing within said distribution profile object a specification for the distribution of said selected document comprises the step of storing a selected sequence of addressees for distribution of said selected document.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 62 words
The method of document administration in a data processing system containing a plurality of documents accessible by a plurality of users within said data processing system according to Claim 2, further including the step of specifying a particular action to take place with respect to said selected document after completion of said selected sequence of addressees for distribution of said selected document.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 73 words
The method of document administration in a data processing system containing a plurality of documents accessible by a plurality of users within said data processing system according to Claim 2, wherein said step of storing a selected sequence of addressees for distribution of said selected document comprises the step of listing a plurality of addressees for said selected document and the order in which said plurality of addressees shall receive said selected document.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 83 words
The method of document administration in a data processing system containing a plurality of documents accessible by a plurality of users within said data processing system according to Claim 4, wherein said step of listing a plurality of addressees for said selected document and the order in which said plurality of addressees shall receive said selected document comprises the step of determining whether a first specified addressee has received said selected document prior to distributing said selected document to a subsequent specified addressee.

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