US4956809A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for canonical ordering of binary data for portable operating systems
Assignee: Mark Williams Co
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Filing: 1988-12-29
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Granted: 1990-09-11
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Expires: 2008-12-29
Abstract
Abstract A method for making files compatible between different computers having different binary structures while using the same operating system by keeping all files in a standardized canonical order when they move to or from external data storage or communication means. The method includes converting all binary data accessed from a file or communications channel from the canonical order to the natural order of the host computer before using the binary data in the host computer and converting all binary data which is to be sent to a file or communications channel from the natural order of the host computer to the canonical order before sending the binary data.
Inventors
- 👤 Johann George
- 👤 Trevor J. Thompson
- 👤 David G. Conroy
- 👤 Frederick H. Tudor
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 15:52
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F16/00; G06F16/10; G06F16/11; G06F16/116; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/99941; Y10S707/99942; Y10S707/99951; Y10S707/99952
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
165 words
A method for use with a portable operating system used on different computers which use different binary structures, whereby files containing binary data become portable, comprising the steps of: by means of a computer, representing in a standardized order consisting of a standard binary structure files stored on auxiliary memory or transported on a communications means, said standardized order being different from a natural order used on at least one of the different computers; converting in each of the different computers binary data read from auxiliary data storage or communications means from the standardized order to the natural order of the respective host computer after said binary data are read from said auxiliary data storage or communications means and before said binary data are used by the respective host computer; and converting in each of the different computers binary data written into auxiliary data storage or communications means from the natural order of the respective host computer to the standardized order prior to said writing.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
165 words
A method for use with a portable operating system used on different computers which use different binary structures, whereby files containing binary data become portable, comprising the steps of: by means of a computer, representing in a standardized order consisting of a standard binary structure files stored on auxiliary memory or transported on a communications means, said standardized order being different from a natural order used on at least one of the different computers; converting in each of the different computers binary data read from auxiliary data storage or communications means from the standardized order to the natural order of the respective host computer after said binary data are read from said auxiliary data storage or communications means and before said binary data are used by the respective host computer; and converting in each of the different computers binary data written into auxiliary data storage or communications means from the natural order of the respective host computer to the standardized order prior to said writing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said operating system comprises a UNIX like operating system.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said file comprises a file system and some or all of said binary data is converted.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 1, wherein said file comprises an object file expressed in binary.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
158 words
A method for use on different computers which use different binary structures, whereby files containing binary data become portable between the computers, comprising the steps of: representing by means of a computer files that are stored for use by one or more of the computers or are transported on a communications means to one or more of the computers, in a predetermined binary structure different than the binary structure used on at least one of the different computers; converting in each of the computers binary data, to be stored for use by one or more of the computers or to be transported on said communications means to one or more of the computers, from the binary structure of the originating computer to the predetermined binary structure, and converting in each of the computers binary data obtained from said stored files or from said communications means from said predetermined binary structure to the binary structure used by said computer.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
158 words
A method for use on different computers which use different binary structures, whereby files containing binary data become portable between the computers, comprising the steps of: representing by means of a computer files that are stored for use by one or more of the computers or are transported on a communications means to one or more of the computers, in a predetermined binary structure different than the binary structure used on at least one of the different computers; converting in each of the computers binary data, to be stored for use by one or more of the computers or to be transported on said communications means to one or more of the computers, from the binary structure of the originating computer to the predetermined binary structure, and converting in each of the computers binary data obtained from said stored files or from said communications means from said predetermined binary structure to the binary structure used by said computer.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-09-10 | 1994-03-12 | 1994-09-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-09-10 | 1998-03-12 | 1998-09-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-09-10 | 2002-03-12 | 2002-09-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |