EP0490636A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for interprocess message switching
Assignee: Sun Microsystems Inc
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Filing: 1991-12-10
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2011-12-10
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for interprocess message switching between a sender process and a plurality of receiver processes is disclosed. Messages supported comprise request and notice messages. Receiver processes supported comprise handler processes and observer processes. Request messages may be observed as well as handled, and notice messages may be handled as well as observed. Handler and observer processes may be non-executing as well as executing. Sender processes do not need to specify the identity of the receiver processes. The sender process and the receiver processes may be executed on the same computer or on two or more computers in a network.
Inventors
- 👤 Carolyn L. Foss
- 👤 Richard F. Mcallister
- 👤 Sami Shaio
- 👤 Dwight F. Hare
- 👤 Tin Anh Nguyen
- 👤 Amy Pearl
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 09:06
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F9/00; G06F9/06; G06F9/46; G06F9/54; G06F9/542; G06F15/00; G06F15/16; G06F9/546
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 82
Claim 1
Independent Claim
88 words
A method for interprocess message switching between a sender process and a plurality of receiver processes, said method comprising the steps of: registering said receiver processes with an apparatus for interprocess message switching; selecting said registered receiver processes to receive messages received from said sender process by said apparatus; queuing copies of said received messages with selected receiver processes; signaling said selected receiver processes regarding the availability of said queued messages; and delivering said queued messages upon request of said signaled receiver processes, to said requesting receiver processes.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
68 words
The method for interprocess message switching between a sender process and a plurality of receiver processes as set forth in claim 1, wherein said step of registering said receiver processes comprises registering at least one signaling way for each of said receiver processes, said signaling ways describing how said registering receiver processes are to be signaled regarding the availability of said queued messages for said registering receiver processes.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method for interprocess message switching between a sender process and a plurality of receiver processes as set forth in claim 2, wherein said step of registering said receiver processes further comprises registering at least one message pattern for each of said receiver processes, said message patterns comprising a plurality of message attributes describing said messages which said registering receiver process are to receive.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
93 words
The method for interprocess message switching between a sender process and a plurality of receiver processes as set forth in claim 2, wherein said step of registering said receiver processes further comprises registering a program type identifier for each of said receiver processes, said program type identifiers identifying programs being executed by said registering receiver processes, said apparatus generating and registering message patterns for said registering receiver processes, using message signatures contained within program type definitions comprising matching program type identifiers, said program type definitions being stored in files coupled to said apparatus.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method for interprocess message switching between a sender process and a plurality of receiver processes as set forth in claim 4, wherein each of said stored program type definitions further comprises a set of program start up parameters and at least one message signature, each of said message signatures comprising one of said message pattern and a message disposition attribute.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method for interprocess message switching between a sender process and a plurality of receiver processes as set forth in claim 1, wherein each of said messages received from said sender process comprises at least one message attribute.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method for interprocess message switching between a sender process and a plurality of receiver processes as set forth in claim 6, wherein said message attributes in each of said received messages comprise an identifier for said received message, each of said message identifier comprising a sender computer identifier, a sender process identifier and a sending process specific message identifier.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
63 words
The method for interprocess message switching between a sender process and a plurality of receiver processes as set forth in claim 7, wherein said message attributes in some of said received messages further comprise a message class attribute, each of said message classes being one of a plurality of message classes comprising a message class of "Request" and a message class of "Notice".
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
77 words
The method for interprocess message switching between a sender process and a plurality of receiver processes as set forth in claim 7, wherein said message attributes in some of said received messages further comprise a message state attribute, each of said message states being one of a plurality of message states comprising a state of "Created", a state of "Sent", a state of "Handled", a state of "Started", a state of "Failed" and a state of "Queued".
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method for interprocess message switching between a sender process and a plurality of receiver processes as set forth in claim 7, wherein said message attributes in some of said received messages further comprise a program type identifier for said handler process.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
78 words
The method for interprocess message switching between a sender process and a plurality of receiver processes as set forth in claim 7, wherein said message attributes in some of said received messages further comprise a message disposition attribute, each of said message dispositions being one of a plurality of message dispositions comprising a disposition of "Queue", a disposition of "Start", and a disposition of "Discard", said disposition of "Discard" being the defaulted disposition if no disposition is specified.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method for interprocess message switching between a sender process and a plurality of receiver processes as set forth in claim 7, wherein said message attributes in some of said received messages further comprise a message failure reason attribute.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method for interprocess message switching between a sender process and a plurality of receiver processes as set forth in claim 1, wherein said step of selecting said registered receiver processes comprises selecting at most one handler process by said apparatus.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method for interprocess message switching between a sender process and a plurality of receiver processes as set forth in claim 13, wherein said handler process is selected for each of said received messages having a message class attribute equaling "Notice" as well as equaling "Request".
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method for interprocess message switching between a sender process and a plurality of receiver processes as set forth in claim 13, wherein said step of selecting said registered receiver processes further comprises selecting any number of observer processes by said apparatus.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method for interprocess message switching between a sender process and a plurality of receiver processes as set forth in claim 15, wherein said observer processes are selected for each of said received messages having a message class attribute equaling "Request" as well as equaling "Notice".
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method for interprocess message switching between a sender process and a plurality of receiver processes as set forth in claim 15, wherein said selecting of at most one handler process and any number of observer processes comprises selecting non-executing as well as executing handler and observer processes.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method for interprocess message switching between a sender process and a plurality of receiver processes as set forth in claim 1, wherein said step of selecting said registered receiver processes comprises the step of matching message attributes in said received messages by said apparatus, against message attributes in message patterns registered by said receiver processes.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
113 words
The method for interprocess message switching between a sender process and a plurality of receiver processes as set forth in claim 18, wherein said step of selecting said registered receiver processes further comprises the steps of, matching said message attributes in said received messages by said apparatus, against said message attributes in said message patterns contained in message signatures, said message signatures being contained in program type definitions, said program type definitions being stored in files coupled to said apparatus; and matching program type identifiers contained in said stored program type definitions having said matching message attributes, by said apparatus, against program type identifiers of programs being executed by said registered receiver processes.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
83 words
The method for interprocess message switching between a sender process and a plurality of receiver processes as set forth in claim 19, wherein said step of selecting said registered receiver processes further comprises the step of choosing one handler process by said apparatus, said one handler process being chosen by ranking said matching message attributes of said matching message patterns and said matching message signatures, said one handler process further being chosen arbitrarily, if said rankings of said matching message attributes are tied.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
92 words
The method for interprocess message switching between a sender process and a plurality of receiver processes as set forth in claim 20, wherein said step of selecting said registered receiver processes further comprises the step of starting said receiver processes by said apparatus, for said received messages, said receiver processes being started comprise said receiver processes executing said programs identified by said stored program type definitions with said matching message signatures, said programs not being executed by other registered receiver processes, and said matching message signatures comprising message disposition attributes of "Start".
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method for interprocess message switching between a sender process and a plurality of receiver processes as set forth in claim 1, wherein said step of queuing copies of said received messages with selected receiver processes comprises queuing copies of said received messages into at least one undelivered messages queue, by said apparatus, for subsequent retrieval by said selected receiver processes.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method for interprocess message switching between a sender process and a plurality of receiver processes as set forth in claim 22, wherein said undelivered message queues comprise a plurality of lists, organized on a per process basis.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
123 words
The method for interprocess message switching between a sender process and a plurality of receiver processes as set forth in claim 22, wherein said step of queuing copies of said received messages with selected receiver processes further comprises queuing copies of said received messages with selected receiver processes into at least one program pending messages queue by said apparatus, for subsequent retrieval by said selected receiver processes, said received messages with selected receiver processes having their copies queued into said program pending messages queues comprise said received messages comprising message attributes matching against message signatures, said matching message signatures further comprising message disposition attributes equaling "Queue"s, and being contained in program type definitions identifying programs not being executed by said registered receiver processes.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method for interprocess message switching between a sender process and a plurality of receiver processes as set forth in claim 1, wherein said step of signaling said selected receiver processes comprises posting of events by said apparatus, for detection by said selected receiver processes using system event detection services.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method for interprocess message switching between a sender process and a plurality of receiver processes as set forth in claim 1, wherein said step of delivering said queued messages comprises dequeuing said queued messages from messages queues and sending said dequeued messages by said apparatus, to said selected receiver processes, using system message sending services.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method for interprocess message switching between a sender process and a plurality of receiver processes as set forth in claim 1, wherein said method further comprises the step of discarding said received messages with message class attributes equaling "Notice"s and no selected receiver processes.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
67 words
The method for interprocess message switching between a sender process and a plurality of receiver processes as set forth in claim 27, wherein said received "Notice" messages with no selected receiver processes comprise said received "Notice" messages having message attributes non-matching against registered message patterns and non-matching against message signatures contained in program type definitions said program type definitions being stored in files couples to said apparatus.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
74 words
The method for interprocess message switching between a sender process and a plurality of receiver processes as set forth in claim 28, wherein said received "Notice" messages with no selected receiver processes further comprise said received "Notice" messages having said message attributes matching against said message signatures, said matching message signatures further comprising message dispositions equaling "Discard"s, and being contained in said program types identifying programs not being executed by said registered receiver processes.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method for interprocess message switching between a sender process and a plurality of receiver processes as set forth in claim 1, wherein said method further comprises the steps of registering said sender process with said apparatus; and replying to said received messages with message class attributes equaling "Request"s.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method for interprocess message switching between a sender process and a plurality of receiver processes as set forth in claim 30, wherein said step of registering said sender processes comprises registering by said sender process dynamically at its initialization and during its execution.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method for interprocess message switching between a sender process and a plurality of receiver processes as set forth in claim 30, wherein said step of registering said sender process compriss registering at least one signaling way for said sender process, said signaling ways describing how said registering sender process is to be signaled regarding the availability of queued reply messages.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method for interprocess message switching between a sender process and a plurality of receiver processes as set forth in claim 30, wherein said step of replying to said received "Request" messages comprises replying to said "Request" messages with no selected handler process.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
67 words
The method for interprocess message switching between a sender process and a plurality of receiver processes as set forth in claim 33, wherein said received "Request" messages with no selected handler process comprise said received "Request" messages having message attributes non-matching against registered message patterns and non-matching against message signatures contained in program type definitions, said program type definitions being stored in files coupled to said apparatus.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
74 words
The method for interprocess message switching between a sender process and a plurality of receiver processes as set forth in claim 34, wherein said received "Request" messages with no selected handler process further comprise said received "Request" messages having said message attributes matching against said message signatures, said matching message signatures further comprising message dispositions equaling "Discard"s, and being contained in said program types identifying programs not being executed by said registered receiver processes.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method for interprocess message switching between a sender process and a plurality of receiver processes as set forth in claim 33, wherein said step of replying to said received "Request" messages further comprises replying to said "Request" messages with selected handler process.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
111 words
The method for interprocess message switching between a sender process and a plurality of receiver processes as set forth in claim 30, wherein said step of replying to said received "Request" messages comprises the steps of, generating reply messages to said received "Request" messages; selecting said registered received processes to receive said reply messages; queuing said reply messages to at least one undelivered messages queue, for subsequent retrieval by said sender process and said selected receiver processes; signaling said sender process and said selected receiver processes regarding the availability of said queued reply messages; and delivering said queued reply messages upon request of said signaled processes, to said requesting receiver processes.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method for interprocess message switching between a sender process and a plurality of receiver processes as set forth in claim 37, wherein said step of generating reply messages comprises updating message attributes of said received "Request" messages with no selected handler process by said apparatus, said message attributes being updated comprising message state attributes being updated to "Failed".
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
88 words
The method for interprocess message switching between a sender process and a plurality of receiver processes as set forth in claim 38, wherein said step of generating reply messages further comprises updating message attributes of said received "Request" messages with selected handler process by said apparatus, said message attributes being updated according to results received from said handler processes, said message attributes being updated comprising message state attributes being updated to one of a plurality of message states comprising a state of "Handled" and a state of "Failed".
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
78 words
The method for interprocess message switching between a sender process and a plurality of receiver processes as set forth in claim 39, wherein said step of generating reply messages further comprises the steps of, queuing another copy of each of said received "Request" messages with selected handler processes, pending receipt of said results from said handler processes; and dequeuing said results pending "Request" messages upon receipt of said results from said handler processes for said step of updating.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method for interprocess message switching between a sender process and a plurality of receiver processes as set forth in claim 41, wherein said step of queuing copies of said received "Request" messages comprises queuing said copies in at least one result pending messages queue by said apparatus.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method for interprocess message switching between a sender process and a plurality of receiver processes as set forth in claim 37, wherein said step of selecting said registered receiver processes for said reply messages comprises selecting any number of observer processes by said apparatus.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
156 words
An apparatus for message switching between a sender process and a plurality of receiver processes, said apparatus comprising: a first registering means for registering said receiver processes with said apparatus, said first registering means comprising a first interface for receiving registrations; a first selecting means for selecting said registered receiver processes to receive messages received from said sender process, said first selecting means comprising a second interface for receiving said messages from said sender process; a first queuing means coupled to said first selecting means, for queuing said received messages with selected receiver processes; a first signaling means coupled to said first queuing means and said first registering means, for signaling said selected receiver processes regarding availability of said queued messages; and a first delivering means for delivering said queued messages upon request of said signaled receiver processes, to said requesting receiver processes, said first delivering means comprising a third interface for receiving said delivery request.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
86 words
The apparatus for message switching between a sender process and a plurality of receiver processes as set forth in claim 43, wherein said first registering means for registering said receiver processes comprises a first processing means coupled to said first interface for processing one of said received registrations comprising signaling ways, said signaling ways describing how said registering receiver processes are to be signaled regarding availability of said queued messages for said registering receiver processes, said first processing means storing said processed signaling ways into tables.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
84 words
The apparatus for message switching between a sender process and a plurality of receiver processes as set forth in claim 44, wherein said first registering means for registering said receiver processes further comprises a second processing means coupled to said first interface for processing one of said received registrations comprising message patterns, said message patterns comprising a plurality of message attributes describing said messages which said registering receiver processes are to receive, said second processing means storing said processed message patterns into said tables.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
117 words
The apparatus for message switching between a sender process and a plurality of processes as set forth in claim 45, wherein said first registering means for registering said receiver processes further comprises a third processing means coupled to said first interface for processing one of said received registrations comprising a program type identifier, said program type identifier identifying programs being executed by said registering receiver processes, said third processing means generating and registering said message patterns for said registering receiver processes, using message signatures contained within program type definitions comprising matching program type identifiers, and storing said generated message patterns into said tables, said program type definitions being stored in files accessible to said third processing means.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
56 words
The apparatus for message switching between a sender process and a plurality of processes as set forth in claim 46, wherein each of said stored program type definitions further comprises a set of start up parameters and at least one message signature, each of said message signatures comprising a message pattern and a message disposition attribute.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus for interprocess message switching between a sender process and a plurality of receiver processes as set forth in claim 43, wherein each of said messages received from said sender process comprises at least one message attribute.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus for interprocess message switching between a sender process and a plurality of receiver processes as set forth in claim 48, wherein said message attributes in each of said received messages comprise an identifier for said received message, each of said message identifier comprising a sender computer identifier, a sender process identifier and a sender process specific message identifier.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
63 words
The apparatus for interprocess message switching between a sender process and a plurality of receiver processes as set forth in claim 49, wherein said message attributes in some of said received messages further comprise a message class attribute, each of said message classes being one of a plurality of message classes comprising a message class of "Request" and a message class of "Notice".
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
77 words
The apparatus for interprocess message switching between a sender process and a plurality of receiver processes as set forth in claim 49, wherein said message attributes in some of said received messages further comprise a message state attribute, each of said message states being one of a plurality of message states comprising a state of "Created", a state of "Sent", a state of "Handled", a state of "Started", a state of "Failed" and a state of "Queued".
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus for interprocess message switching between a sender process and a plurality of receiver processes as set forth in claim 49, wherein said message attributes in some of said received messages further comprise a program type identifier for said handler process.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
78 words
The apparatus for interprocess message switching between a sender process and a plurality of receiver processes as set forth in claim 49, wherein said message attributes in some of said received messages further comprise a message disposition attribute, each of said message dispositions being one of a plurality of message dispositions comprising a disposition of "Queue", a disposition of "Start", and a disposition of "Discard", said disposition of "Discard" being the defaulted disposition if no disposition is specified.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus for interprocess message switching between a sender process and a plurality of receiver processes as set forth in claim 49, wherein said message attributes in some of said received messages further comprise a message failure reason attribute.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus for interprocess message switching between a sender process and a plurality of receiver processes as set forth in claim 43, wherein said first selecting means for selecting said registered receiver processes selects at most one handler process.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus for interprocess message switching between a sender process and a plurality of receiver processes as set forth in claim 55, wherein said handler process is selected for each of said received messages having a message class attribute equaling "Notice" as well as equaling "Request".
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
40 words
The apparatus for interprocess message switching between a sender process and a plurality of receiver processes as set forth in claim 55, wherein said first selecting means for selecting said registered receiver processes further selects any number of observer processes.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
46 words
The apparatus for interprocess message switching between a sender process and a plurality of receiver processes as set forth in claim 57, wherein said observer processes are selected for each of said received messages having a message class attribute equaling "Request" as well as equaling "Notice".
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
48 words
The apparatus for interprocess message switching between a sender process and a plurality of receiver processes as set forth in claim 57, wherein said selecting of at most one handler process and any number of observer processes comprises selecting non-executing as well as executing handler and observer processes.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
75 words
The apparatus for interprocess message switching between a sender process and a plurality of receiver processes as set forth in claim 43, wherein said first selecting means for selecting said registered receiver processes comprises a first matching means coupled to said second interface for matching message attributes in said received messages, against message attributes in message patterns registered by said receiver processes, said message patterns being stored in tables accessible to said first matching means.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
148 words
The apparatus for interprocess message switching between a sender process and a plurality of receiver processes as set forth in claim 60, wherein said first selecting means for selecting said registered receiver processes further comprises, a second matching means coupled to said first matching means for matching said message attributes in said received messages, against said message attributes in said message patterns contained in message signatures, said message signatures being contained in program type definitions, said program type definitions being stored in files accessible to said second matching means; and a third matching means coupled to said second matching means for matching program type identifiers contained in said stored program type definitions having said matching message attributes, against program type identifiers of programs being executed by said registered receiver processes, said program type identifiers of programs being stored in said tables and accessible to said third matching means.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
89 words
The apparatus for interprocess message switching between a sender process and a plurality of receiver processes as set forth in claim 61, wherein said first selecting means for selecting said registered receiver processes further comprises a choosing means coupled to said third matching means for choosing one handler process, said one handler process being chosen by ranking said matching message attributes of said matching message patterns and said matching message signatures, said one handler process further being chosen arbitrarily, if said rankings of said matching message attributes are tied.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
94 words
The apparatus for interprocess message switching between a sender process and a plurality of receiver processes as set forth in claim 62, wherein said first selecting means for selecting said registered receiver processes further comprises a starting means coupled to said choosing means for starting said selected receiver processes, said receiver processes being started comprise said receive processes executing said programs identified by said stored program type definitions with said matching message signatures, said programs not being executed by other registered receiver processes, and said matching message signatures comprising message disposition attributes of "Start".
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
58 words
The apparatus for interprocess message switching between a sender process and a plurality of receiver processes as set forth in claim 43, wherein said first queuing means for queuing copies of said received messages with selected receiver processes queues copies of said received messages into at least one undelivered messages queue for subsequent retrieval by said receiver processes.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
116 words
The apparatus for interprocess message switching between a sender process and a plurality of receiver processes as set forth in claim 64, wherein said first queuing means for queuing copies of said received messages with selected receiver processes queues copies of said received messages into at least one process pending messages queue, for subsequent retrieval by said selected receiver processes, said received messages with selected receiver processes having their copies queued into said program pending messages queues comprise said received messages comprising message attributes matching against message signatures, said matching message signatures further comprising message disposition attributes equaling "Queue"s, and being contained in program type definitions identifying programs not being executed by said registered receiver processes.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus for interprocess message switching between a sender process and a plurality of receiver processes as set forth in claim 43, wherein said first signaling means for signaling said selected receiver processes signals said processes by posting events for said processes to detect using system event detection services.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
59 words
The apparatus for interprocess message switching between a sender process and a plurality of receiver processes as set forth in claim 43, wherein said first delivering means for delivering said queued messages for said selected receiver processes dequeues said queued messages from messages queues and sends said dequeued messages to said selected receiver processes, using system message sending services.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus for interprocess message switching between a sender process and a plurality of receiver processes as set forth in claim 43, wherein said first queuing means further discards said received messages with message class attributes equaling "Notice"s and no selected receiver processes.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus for interprocess message switching between a sender process and a plurality of receiver processes as set forth in claim 68, wherein said received "Notice" messages with no selected receiver processes comprise said received "Notice" messages having message attributes non-matching against registered message patterns and non-matching against message signatures contained in program type definitions.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
74 words
The apparatus for interprocess message switching between a sender process and a plurality of receiver processes as set forth in claim 69, wherein said received "Notice" messages with no selected receiver processes further comprise said received "Notice" messages having said message attributes matching against said message signatures, said matching message signatures further comprising message dispositions equaling "Discard"s, and being contained in said program types identifying programs not being executed by said registered receiver processes.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
73 words
The apparatus for interprocess message switching between a sender process and a plurality of receiver processes as set forth in claim 43, wherein said apparatus further comprises a second registering means for registering said sender process, said second registering means comprising a fourth interface for receiving registrations from said sender process; and a replying means coupled to said first selecting means for replying to said received messages with message class attributes equaling "Request"s.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus for interprocess message switching between a sender process and a plurality of receiver processes as set forth in claim 71, wherein said registrations received from said sender process comprise at least one signaling way for said sender process, said signaling ways describing how said registering sender process is to be signaled regarding the availability of queued reply messages.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus for interprocess message switching between a sender process and a plurality of receiver processes as set forth in claim 71, wherein said replying means for replying to said received "Request" messages replies to said "Request" messages with no selected handler process.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
55 words
The apparatus for interprocess message switching between a sender process and a plurality of receiver processes as set forth in claim 73, wherein said received "Request" messages with no selected handler process comprise said received "Request" messages having message attributes non-matching against registered message patterns and non-matching against message signatures contained in program type definitions.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
74 words
The apparatus for interprocess message switching between a sender process and a plurality of receiver processes as set forth in claim 74, wherein said received "Request" messages with no selected handler process further comprise said received "Request" messages having said message attributes matching against said message signatures, said matching message signatures further comprising message dispositions equaling "Discard"s, and being contained in said program types identifying programs not being executed by said registered receiver processes.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus for interprocess message switching between a sender process and a plurality of receiver processes as set forth in claim 73, wherein said replying means for replying to said received "Request" messages further replies to said "Request" messages with selected handler process.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
169 words
The apparatus for interprocess message switching between a sender process and a plurality of receiver processes as set forth in claim 71, wherein said replying means for replying to said received "Request" messages comprises, a generating means coupled to said first selecting means for generating reply messages to said received "Request" messages; a second selecting means coupled to said generating means for selecting said registered received processes to receive said reply messages; a second queuing means coupled to said second selecting means for queuing said reply messages to at least one undelivered messages queue, for subsequent retrieval by said sender process and said selected receiver processes; a second signaling means coupled to said second queuing means for signaling said sender process and said selected receiver processes regarding the availability of said queued reply messages; and a second delivering means for delivering said queued reply messages upon request of said signaled processes, to said requesting receiver processes, said second delivering means comprising an fifth interface for receiving said delivery requests.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
67 words
The apparatus for interprocess message switching between a sender process and a plurality of receiver processes as set forth in claim 77, wherein said generating means for generating reply messages comprises an updating means coupled to said first selecting means for updating message attributes of said received "Request" messages with no selected handler process, said message attributes being updated comprising message state attributes being updated to "Failed".
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
115 words
The apparatus for interprocess message switching between a sender process and a plurality of receiver processes as set forth in claim 78, wherein said updating means further dequeues said received "Request" messages with selected handler process from result pending messages queues, and updates message attributes of said received "Request" messages with selected handler process, said updating means comprising a sixth interface for receiving results from said handler processes, and having access to said result pending messages queues, said message attributes being updated according to said results, said message attributes being updated comprising message state attributes being updated to one of a plurality of message states comprising a state of "Handled" and a state of "Failed".
Claim 80
Dependent Claim
66 words
The apparatus for interprocess message switching between a sender process and a plurality of receiver processes as set forth in claim 79, wherein said generating means for generating reply messages further comprises a third queuing means coupled to said first selecting means for queuing another copy of each of said received "Request" messages with selected handler processes, pending receipt of said results from said handler processes.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim
59 words
The apparatus for interprocess message switching between a sender process and a plurality of receiver processes as set forth in claim 80, wherein said third queuing means for queuing copies of said received "Request" messages with selected handler processes queues said copies in at least one result pending messages queue, said third queuing means comprising said first queuing means.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus for interprocess message switching between a sender process and a plurality of receiver processes as set forth in claim 77, wherein said second selecting means for selecting said registered receiver processes for said reply messages selects any number of observer processes.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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