US5553282A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Software project history database and method of operation
Assignee: Apple Inc
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Filing: 1994-12-09
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Granted: 1996-09-03
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Expires: 2014-12-09
Abstract
Abstract A distributed program configuration database system is designed for use on a client-server network. The system consists of a plurality of program servers which maintain version information for various program components. A program developer, upon logging into a client terminal on the network, establishes a workspace or project and connects with one of the servers. After connection to the server has been made, a draft of the program configuration is retrieved from the server. The configuration draft may include information for constructing some of the program components and "bridge" information identifying other program servers where additional program components are located. The workspace uses the component information to assemble components and the bridge information to connect to other servers and retrieve the remaining components in order to assemble the complete source code for a program in the workspace.
Inventors
- 👤 Jeff W. Parrish
- 👤 Farzin Maghoul
- 👤 P. Thyagarajan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 20:47
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F8/00; G06F8/70; G06F8/71; G06F9/00; G06F9/06; G06F9/46; G06F9/465
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
135 words
An object-oriented apparatus for communicating a job request from a client terminal to a server terminal over a computer network and returning results from the server terminal to the client terminal, the apparatus comprising: (a) means located in the client terminal for creating an agent object, the agent object comprising means for assembling client terminal information relating to the request, means for establishing a communication path from the client terminal to the server terminal, means for performing a job which produces results at the server terminal; (b) means located at the client terminal for generating a copy of the agent object; (c) means located at the client terminal for sending the agent object copy to the server terminal to perform the job; and (d) means for destroying the agent object copy at the server terminal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
135 words
An object-oriented apparatus for communicating a job request from a client terminal to a server terminal over a computer network and returning results from the server terminal to the client terminal, the apparatus comprising: (a) means located in the client terminal for creating an agent object, the agent object comprising means for assembling client terminal information relating to the request, means for establishing a communication path from the client terminal to the server terminal, means for performing a job which produces results at the server terminal; (b) means located at the client terminal for generating a copy of the agent object; (c) means located at the client terminal for sending the agent object copy to the server terminal to perform the job; and (d) means for destroying the agent object copy at the server terminal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
Object-oriented apparatus for communicating a job request from a client terminal to a server according to claim 1 wherein the server comprises means for performing jobs at the server and wherein the agent object comprises means for activating the means for performing job at the server.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
Object-oriented apparatus for communicating a job request from a client terminal to a server according to claim 1 wherein the agent object further comprises means for receiving results over the network from the server.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
38 words
Object-oriented apparatus for communicating a job request from a client terminal to a server according to claim 1 further comprising means located at the server for receiving the agent object copy and for executing the agent object methods.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
202 words
A program development management system for assembling in a project workspace, a plurality of software program components comprising a program configuration, the system operating on a client-server network and comprising: a history server connected to the network and comprising a program component database for storing a plurality of program component drafts and a root component identifying program components associated with the program configuration; a client terminal connected to the network and containing means for creating the project workspace and means for locating the history server on the network; means located in the client terminal for creating an agent object, the agent object comprising means for assembling client terminal information relating to a program component request, means for establishing a communication path from the client terminal to the history server and means for retrieving program component drafts from the program component database using the root component to identify program component drafts belonging to the program configuration; means located at the client terminal for generating a copy of the agent object; means located at the client terminal for sending the agent object copy to the history server to retrieve program component drafts; and means for destroying the agent object copy at the history server.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
202 words
A program development management system for assembling in a project workspace, a plurality of software program components comprising a program configuration, the system operating on a client-server network and comprising: a history server connected to the network and comprising a program component database for storing a plurality of program component drafts and a root component identifying program components associated with the program configuration; a client terminal connected to the network and containing means for creating the project workspace and means for locating the history server on the network; means located in the client terminal for creating an agent object, the agent object comprising means for assembling client terminal information relating to a program component request, means for establishing a communication path from the client terminal to the history server and means for retrieving program component drafts from the program component database using the root component to identify program component drafts belonging to the program configuration; means located at the client terminal for generating a copy of the agent object; means located at the client terminal for sending the agent object copy to the history server to retrieve program component drafts; and means for destroying the agent object copy at the history server.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
A program development management system according to claim 5 wherein the history server comprises means for retrieving program component drafts from the program component database and wherein the agent object comprises means for activating the means for performing jobs at the server.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
A program development management system according to claim 5 wherein the agent object further comprises means for receiving program component drafts over the network from the history server.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
A program development management system according to claim 7 further comprising means located at the history server for receiving the agent object copy and for executing the agent object methods.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
114 words
An object-oriented method for communicating a job request from a client terminal to a server over a computer network and returning results from the server to the client terminal, the method comprising the steps of: A. creating an agent object in the client terminal; B. assembling client terminal information relating to the request; C. establishing a communication path from the client terminal to the server; D. performing a job which produces results at the server; E. generating a copy of the agent object in the client terminal; F. sending the agent object copy from the client terminal to the server to perform the job; and G. destroying the agent object copy at the server.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
114 words
An object-oriented method for communicating a job request from a client terminal to a server over a computer network and returning results from the server to the client terminal, the method comprising the steps of: A. creating an agent object in the client terminal; B. assembling client terminal information relating to the request; C. establishing a communication path from the client terminal to the server; D. performing a job which produces results at the server; E. generating a copy of the agent object in the client terminal; F. sending the agent object copy from the client terminal to the server to perform the job; and G. destroying the agent object copy at the server.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
53 words
An object-oriented method according to claim 9 wherein the server comprises a plurality of server object methods for performing jobs at the server and wherein step A comprises the step of: A1. creating the agent object with a plurality of agent object methods for calling at least one of the server object methods.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
34 words
An object-oriented method according to claim 9 further comprising the steps of: H. sending results over the network from the server to the client terminal; and I. receiving the results at the client terminal.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
27 words
An object-oriented method according to claim 9 wherein step F comprises the steps of: F1. receiving the agent object copy; and F2. executing the agent object methods.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
204 words
In a computer, a method for assembling in a project workspace, a plurality of software program components comprising a program configuration over a client-server network, the method comprising the computer implemented steps of: A. creating a history server comprising a program component database for storing a plurality of program component drafts and a root component identifying program components associated with the program configuration; B. connecting the history server to the network; C. creating a client terminal; D. creating, with the client terminal, the project workspace; E. locating, with the client terminal, the history server on the network; F. connecting the client terminal to the network; G. creating an agent object in the client terminal; H. assembling client terminal information relating to a program component request; I. establishing a communication path from the client terminal to the history server; J. identifying, via the root component program component drafts belonging to the program configuration; K. generating a copy of the agent object in the client terminal; L. sending the agent object copy from the client terminal to the history server; M. retrieving, via the agent object copy, the program component drafts from the history server; and N. destroying the agent object copy at the history server.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
204 words
In a computer, a method for assembling in a project workspace, a plurality of software program components comprising a program configuration over a client-server network, the method comprising the computer implemented steps of: A. creating a history server comprising a program component database for storing a plurality of program component drafts and a root component identifying program components associated with the program configuration; B. connecting the history server to the network; C. creating a client terminal; D. creating, with the client terminal, the project workspace; E. locating, with the client terminal, the history server on the network; F. connecting the client terminal to the network; G. creating an agent object in the client terminal; H. assembling client terminal information relating to a program component request; I. establishing a communication path from the client terminal to the history server; J. identifying, via the root component program component drafts belonging to the program configuration; K. generating a copy of the agent object in the client terminal; L. sending the agent object copy from the client terminal to the history server; M. retrieving, via the agent object copy, the program component drafts from the history server; and N. destroying the agent object copy at the history server.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
65 words
A method according to claim 13 wherein step A comprises the step of: A1. creating a plurality of server object methods for retrieving program component drafts from the program component database in the history server; and wherein step E comprises the step of: E1. creating in the agent object a plurality of agent object methods for calling at least one of the server object methods.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 13 further comprising the step of: O. receiving program component drafts over the network from the history server.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method according to claim 13 wherein step L comprises the steps of: L1. receiving the agent object copy at the history server; and L2. executing the agent object methods.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-09-03 | 2000-03-04 | 2000-09-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-09-03 | 2004-03-04 | 2004-09-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-09-03 | 2008-03-04 | 2008-09-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |