Multiple repositories of computer resources, transparent to user

Claim 2

A computerized collection of electronic databases, each under independent control as to data content, comprising: (a) multiple SERVERs, the SERVERs being grouped into multiple LOCAL SERVERs and REGIONAL SERVERs, each of the multiple LOCAL SERVERs comprising means for storing RESOURCEs therein, each of the REGIONAL SERVERs comprising means for storing multiple PROFILEs, each of the PROFILEs being descriptive of a respective RESOURCE within a LOCAL SERVER, wherein the LOCAL and REGIONAL SERVERs are linked together for electronically transferring the multiple PROFILEs and the multiple RESOURCEs therebetween; and (b) means for allowing any client of any of the multiple LOCAL SERVERs to obtain access to all of the stored PROFILEs on the REGIONAL SERVERs and means for allowing any client to electronically order delivery of any RESOURCE on the LOCAL SERVERS described in a PROFILE accessed by the client, said PROFILEs being stored on a database different to the RESOURCEs database.

Claim 3

The computerized collection of databases according to claim 1, in which the PROFILEs are descriptive of their respective RESOURCEs to an average person, unfamiliar with the RESOURCEs.

Claim 4

A computerized collection of electronic databases, each under independent control as to data content, comprising: (a) multiple SERVERs, the SERVERs being grouped into LOCAL SERVERs and REGIONAL SERVERs, each of the multiple LOCAL SERVERs comprising means for storing RESOURCEs in electronic databases thereon, each of the REGIONAL SERVERs comprising means for storing PROFILEs of RESOURCEs associated with one or more of the LOCAL SERVERs in electronic databases thereon, each of the PROFILEs containing descriptive information about one or more of the RESOURCEs, wherein the LOCAL and REGIONAL SERVERs are linked together for electronically transferring the multiple PROFILEs and the multiple RESOURCEs therebetween; and (b) means for allowing a client of any of the multiple LOCAL SERVERs to generate a list of the contents of all electronic databases on the LOCAL and REGIONAL SERVERs, said PROFILEs being stored on a database different to the RESOURCEs database.

Claim 5

A computerized collection of electronic databases, each under independent control as to data content, comprising: (a) multiple SERVERs, the SERVERs being grouped into LOCAL SERVERs and REGIONAL SERVERs, each of the multiple LOCAL SERVERs comprising means for storing RESOURCEs in electronic databases thereon, each of the REGIONAL SERVERs comprising means for storing PROFILEs of RESOURCEs associated with one or more of the LOCAL SERVERs in electronic databases thereon, each of the PROFILEs containing descriptive information about one or more of the RESOURCEs, wherein the LOCAL and REGIONAL SERVERs are linked together for electronically transferring the multiple PROFILEs and the multiple RESOURCEs therebetween; and (b) means for allowing a client of any of the multiple LOCAL SERVERs to generate a list of the contents of all electronic databases on the LOCAL and REGIONAL SERVERs, said PROFILEs being stored on a database different to the RESOURCEs database.

Claim 6

A computerized group of REPOSITORIES, each containing data RESOURCEs stored in various types of media, and each administered independently, comprising: (a) one or more REPOSITORIES, each of the REPOSITORIES comprising one or more SERVERs, the SERVERs being grouped into LOCAL SERVERs and REGIONAL SERVERs, each of the LOCAL SERVERs comprising means for storing RESOURCEs therein, each of the REGIONAL SERVERs comprising means for storing PROFILEs of RESOURCEs associated with one or more of the LOCAL SERVERs therein, each of the PROFILEs containing descriptive information about one or more of the RESOURCEs, wherein the LOCAL and REGIONAL SERVERs are linked together for electronically transferring the PROFILEs and RESOURCEs therebetween; and (b) means for allowing a client of any REPOSITORY to select one or more of the following options: (i) option to view a descriptive list of all RESOURCEs contained in all REPOSITORIES; (ii) option to select a type of media and view a list of all RESOURCEs stored on the selected type of media; (iii) option to view a list of all RESOURCEs stored in a particular REPOSITORY; (c) means for allowing said client to run a search of the description list, and (d) said PROFILEs being stored on a database different to the RESOURCEs database.

Claim 7

A computerized group of REPOSITORIES, each containing data RESOURCEs stored in various types of media, and each administered independently, comprising: (a) one or more REPOSITORIES, each of the REPOSITORIES comprising one or more SERVERs, the SERVERs being grouped into LOCAL SERVERs and REGIONAL SERVERs, each of the LOCAL SERVERs comprising means for storing RESOURCEs therein, each of the REGIONAL SERVERs comprising means for storing PROFILEs of RESOURCEs associated with one or more of the LOCAL SERVERs therein, each of the PROFILEs containing descriptive information about one or more of the RESOURCEs, wherein the LOCAL and REGIONAL SERVERs are linked together for electronically transferring the PROFILEs and RESOURCEs therebetween; and (b) means for allowing a client of any REPOSITORY to select one or more of the following options: (i) option to view a descriptive list of all RESOURCEs contained in all REPOSITORIES; (ii) option to select a type of media and view a list of all RESOURCEs stored on the selected type of media; (iii) option to view a list of all RESOURCEs stored in a particular REPOSITORY; (c) means for allowing said client to run a search of the description list, and (d) said PROFILEs being stored on a database different to the RESOURCEs database.

Claim 8

The computerized group of REPOSITORIES according to claim 4 wherein the means for allowing a client of any REPOSITORY to select one or more of the following options further comprises: (iv) option to run an automated search of a specified subset of the descriptive list.

Claim 9

The computerized group of REPOSITORIES according to claim 4 wherein the means for allowing a client of any REPOSITORY to select one or more of the following options further comprises: (iv) options to run, at specified times in the future, an automated search of a specified subset of the descriptive list.

Claim 10

The computerized group of REPOSITORIES according to claim 4, in which the various types of media include the following: magnetic disc and video tape.

Claim 11

The computerized group of REPOSITORIES according to claim 7, in which the various types of media further include paper.

Claim 12

The computerized group of REPOSITORIES according to claim 4, in which the various types of media include the following: magnetic disc and paper.

Claim 13

The computerized group of REPOSITORIES according to claim 9, in which the various types of media further include video tape.

Claim 14

The computerized group of REPOSITORIES according to claim 4, in which the various types of media include the following: magnetic disc and photographic film.

Claim 15

The computerized group of REPOSITORIES according to claim 11, in which the various types of media further include paper.

Claim 16

The computerized group of REPOSITORIES according to claim 4, in which the RESOURCEs include non-data RESOURCES, such non-data RESOURCES being physical objects, which are not downloadable by computer.

Claim 17

A computerized collection of electronic databases, each under independent control as to data content, comprising: (a) multiple SERVERs, the SERVERs being grouped into LOCAL SERVERs and REGIONAL SERVERs, each of the LOCAL SERVERs comprising means for storing RESOURCEs therein, each of the REGIONAL SERVERs comprising means for storing multiple PROFILEs, each of the PROFILEs descriptive of a respective RESOURCE within a LOCAL SERVER, wherein the LOCAL and REGIONAL SERVERs are linked together for electronically transferring the PROFILEs and RESOURCEs therebetween; (b) means for allowing any client of any SERVERs to obtain access to all of the stored PROFILEs on the REGIONAL SERVERS and means for allowing any client to electronically order delivery of any RESOURCE on the LOCAL SERVERS described in a PROFILE accessed by the client, said PROFILEs being stored on database different to the RESOURCEs database; and computer file names associated with at least some RESOURCEs, and in which said PROFILEs exist, in addition to said file names.

Claim 18

A computerized collection of electronic databases, each under independent control as to data content, comprising: (a) multiple SERVERs, the SERVERs being grouped into LOCAL SERVERs and REGIONAL SERVERs, each of the LOCAL SERVERs comprising means for storing RESOURCEs therein, each of the REGIONAL SERVERs comprising means for storing multiple PROFILEs, each of the PROFILEs descriptive of a respective RESOURCE within a LOCAL SERVER, wherein the LOCAL and REGIONAL SERVERs are linked together for electronically transferring the PROFILEs and RESOURCEs therebetween; (b) means for allowing any client of any SERVERs to obtain access to all of the stored PROFILEs on the REGIONAL SERVERS and means for allowing any client to electronically order delivery of any RESOURCE on the LOCAL SERVERS described in a PROFILE accessed by the client, said PROFILEs being stored on database different to the RESOURCEs database; and computer file names associated with at least some RESOURCEs, and in which said PROFILEs exist, in addition to said file names.

Claim 19

A computerized collection of electronic databases, each under independent control as to data content, comprising: (a) multiple SERVERs, the SERVERs being grouped into LOCAL SERVERs and REGIONAL SERVERs, each of the LOCAL SERVERs comprising means for storing RESOURCEs therein, each of the REGIONAL SERVERs comprising means for storing multiple PROFILEs, each of the PROFILEs descriptive of a respective RESOURCE within a LOCAL SERVER, wherein the LOCAL and REGIONAL SERVERs are linked together for electronically transferring the PROFILEs and RESOURCEs therebetween; (b) means for allowing any client of any SERVER to obtain access to all of the stored PROFILEs on the REGIONAL SERVERs and means for allowing any client to electronically order delivery of any RESOURCE on the LOCAL SERVERS described in a PROFILE accessed by the client, and (c) means for allowing a provider of a new RESOURCE to limit access to the RESOURCE to selected clients of the database.

Claim 20

A computerized collection of electronic databases, each under independent control as to data content, comprising: (a) multiple SERVERs, the SERVERs being grouped into LOCAL SERVERs and REGIONAL SERVERs, each of the LOCAL SERVERs comprising means for storing RESOURCEs therein, each of the REGIONAL SERVERs comprising means for storing multiple PROFILEs, each of the PROFILEs descriptive of a respective RESOURCE within a LOCAL SERVER, wherein the LOCAL and REGIONAL SERVERs are linked together for electronically transferring the PROFILEs and RESOURCEs therebetween; (b) means for allowing any client of any SERVER to obtain access to all of the stored PROFILEs on the REGIONAL SERVERs and means for allowing any client to electronically order delivery of any RESOURCE on the LOCAL SERVERS described in a PROFILE accessed by the client, and (c) means for allowing a provider of a new RESOURCE to limit access to the RESOURCE to selected clients of the database.

Claim 21

A computerized collection of electronic databases, each under independent control as to data content, comprising: (a) multiple SERVERs, the SERVERs being grouped into LOCAL SERVERs and REGIONAL SERVERs, each of the LOCAL SERVERs comprising means for storing RESOURCEs in electronic databases thereon, each of the REGIONAL SERVERs comprising means for storing PROFILEs of RESOURCEs associated with one or more of the LOCAL SERVERs in electronic databases thereon, each of the PROFILEs containing descriptive information about one or more of the RESOURCEs, wherein the LOCAL and REGIONAL SERVERs are linked together for electronically transferring the PROFILEs and RESOURCEs therebetween; (b) means for allowing a client of any SERVER to generate a list of the contents of all electronic databases on the LOCAL and REGIONAL SERVERs; and (c) means for allowing a provider of a new RESOURCE to limit access to the RESOURCE to selected clients of the database.

Claim 22

A computerized collection of electronic databases, each under independent control as to data content, comprising: (a) multiple SERVERs, the SERVERs being grouped into LOCAL SERVERs and REGIONAL SERVERs, each of the LOCAL SERVERs comprising means for storing RESOURCEs in electronic databases thereon, each of the REGIONAL SERVERs comprising means for storing PROFILEs of RESOURCEs associated with one or more of the LOCAL SERVERs in electronic databases thereon, each of the PROFILEs containing descriptive information about one or more of the RESOURCEs, wherein the LOCAL and REGIONAL SERVERs are linked together for electronically transferring the PROFILEs and RESOURCEs therebetween; (b) means for allowing a client of any SERVER to generate a list of the contents of all electronic databases on the LOCAL and REGIONAL SERVERs; and (c) means for allowing a provider of a new RESOURCE to limit access to the RESOURCE to selected clients of the database.

Claim 23

A computerized group of REPOSITORIES, each containing data RESOURCEs stored in various types of media, and each administered independently, comprising: (a) one or more REPOSITORIES, each of the REPOSITORIES comprising one or more SERVERs, the SERVERs being grouped into LOCAL SERVERs and REGIONAL SERVERs, each of the LOCAL SERVERs comprising means for storing RESOURCEs therein, each of the REGIONAL SERVERs comprising means for storing PROFILEs of RESOURCEs associated with one or more of the LOCAL SERVERs therein, each of the PROFILEs containing descriptive information about one or more of the RESOURCEs, wherein the LOCAL and REGIONAL SERVERs are linked together for electronically transferring the PROFILEs and RESOURCEs therebetween; and (b) means for allowing a client of any REPOSITORY to select one or more of the following options: (i) option to view a descriptive list of all RESOURCEs contained in all REPOSITORIES; (ii) option to select a type of media and view a list of all RESOURCEs stored on the selected type of media; (iii) option to view a list of all RESOURCEs stored in a particular REPOSITORY; (c) means for allowing said client to run a search of the description list, and (d) means for allowing a provider of a new RESOURCE to limit access to the RESOURCE to selected clients of the database.

Claim 24

A computerized group of REPOSITORIES, each containing data RESOURCEs stored in various types of media, and each administered independently, comprising: (a) one or more REPOSITORIES, each of the REPOSITORIES comprising one or more SERVERs, the SERVERs being grouped into LOCAL SERVERs and REGIONAL SERVERs, each of the LOCAL SERVERs comprising means for storing RESOURCEs therein, each of the REGIONAL SERVERs comprising means for storing PROFILEs of RESOURCEs associated with one or more of the LOCAL SERVERs therein, each of the PROFILEs containing descriptive information about one or more of the RESOURCEs, wherein the LOCAL and REGIONAL SERVERs are linked together for electronically transferring the PROFILEs and RESOURCEs therebetween; and (b) means for allowing a client of any REPOSITORY to select one or more of the following options: (i) option to view a descriptive list of all RESOURCEs contained in all REPOSITORIES; (ii) option to select a type of media and view a list of all RESOURCEs stored on the selected type of media; (iii) option to view a list of all RESOURCEs stored in a particular REPOSITORY; (c) means for allowing said client to run a search of the description list, and (d) means for allowing a provider of a new RESOURCE to limit access to the RESOURCE to selected clients of the database.