US5799189A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Computer system with downward compatibility function
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1993-07-20
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Granted: 1998-08-25
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Expires: 2013-07-20
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus is disclosed for moving a unit of data (such as an object, program, or file) from a computer operating at a current release level N to a computer operating at a previous release level N-M in a manner that assures that the unit of data will function predictably when restored to the previous release without having to make modifications or updates to the N-M level computer system. This invention allows a new release to be gradually phased in for a distributed computing system instead of requiring that all computers be upgraded to the new release before any units of data can be moved between systems.
Inventors
- 👤 Leonard William Koser
- 👤 Mary Christine Manges
- 👤 Frances Mary Ring
- 👤 Cynthia Ann Rogers
- 👤 Michael John Snyder
- 👤 John Joseph Vriezen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 13:18
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F8/00; G06F8/70; G06F8/71
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
185 words
A method in a data processing system having multiple computers operating at diverse release levels for transferring a unit of data having an executable portion from a computer operating at release level N to a computer operating at a release level N-M, wherein M is greater than zero and less than N, said method comprising the data processing system implemented steps of: designating a unit of data having an executable portion within a computer operating at release level N; specifying an intent to transfer said designated unit of data having an executable portion from said computer operating at release level N to a computer operating at release level N-M; automatically converting said executable portion of said unit of data from operation at said release level N to operation at said release level N-M in response to said specifying of said intent to transfer said designated unit of data; and thereafter transferring said converted designated unit of data to said computer operating at said release level N-M wherein said converted designated unit of data will execute properly within said computer operating at said release level N-M.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
185 words
A method in a data processing system having multiple computers operating at diverse release levels for transferring a unit of data having an executable portion from a computer operating at release level N to a computer operating at a release level N-M, wherein M is greater than zero and less than N, said method comprising the data processing system implemented steps of: designating a unit of data having an executable portion within a computer operating at release level N; specifying an intent to transfer said designated unit of data having an executable portion from said computer operating at release level N to a computer operating at release level N-M; automatically converting said executable portion of said unit of data from operation at said release level N to operation at said release level N-M in response to said specifying of said intent to transfer said designated unit of data; and thereafter transferring said converted designated unit of data to said computer operating at said release level N-M wherein said converted designated unit of data will execute properly within said computer operating at said release level N-M.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
196 words
The method in a data processing system having multiple computers operating at diverse release levels for transferring a unit of data having an executable portion from a computer operating at release level N to a computer operating at release level N-M according to claim 1, wherein said unit of data having an executable portion includes a plurality of segments and wherein said step of automatically converting said executable portion of said unit of data from operation at said release level N to operation at said release level N-M in response to said specifying of said intent to transfer said designated unit of data comprises: determining which of said plurality of segments of said unit of data will not operate at said release level N-M; altering each of said segments of said unit of data which will not operate at said release level N-M so that each of said segments will operate at said release level N-M; and combining each altered segment of said unit of data with any unaltered segment of said unit of data to create a converted unit of data to create a converted unit of data which will operate at release level N-M.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
75 words
The method in a data processing system having multiple computers operating at diverse release levels for transferring a unit of data having an executable portion from a computer operating at release level N to a computer operating at release level N-M according to claim 1, further including the step of adding a descriptor to said converted designated unit of data indicating that said converted designated unit of data will operate at said release level N-M.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
105 words
The method in a data processing system having multiple computers operating at diverse release levels for transferring a unit of data having an executable portion from a computer operating at release level N to a computer operating at release level N-M according to claim 1, further including the step of transmitting an error message to a user in response to an inability of said system to automatically convert said executable portion of said unit of data from operation at said release level N to operation at said release level N-M in response to said specifying of said intent to transfer said designated unit of data.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
193 words
A data processing system having multiple computers operating at diverse release levels for transferring a unit of data having an executable portion from a computer operating at release level N to a computer operating at a release level N-M, wherein M is greater than zero and less than N, said data processing system comprising: means for permitting a user to designate a unit of data having an executable portion within a computer operating at release level N; means for permitting a user to specify an intent to transfer said designated unit of data having an executable portion from said computer operating at release level N to a computer operating at release level N-M; means for automatically converting said executable portion of said unit of data from operation at said release level N to operation at said release level N-M in response to said specifying of said intent to transfer said designated unit of data; and means for transferring said converted designated unit of data to said computer operating at release level N-M wherein said converted designated unit of data will execute properly within said computer operating at said release level M minus M.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
193 words
A data processing system having multiple computers operating at diverse release levels for transferring a unit of data having an executable portion from a computer operating at release level N to a computer operating at a release level N-M, wherein M is greater than zero and less than N, said data processing system comprising: means for permitting a user to designate a unit of data having an executable portion within a computer operating at release level N; means for permitting a user to specify an intent to transfer said designated unit of data having an executable portion from said computer operating at release level N to a computer operating at release level N-M; means for automatically converting said executable portion of said unit of data from operation at said release level N to operation at said release level N-M in response to said specifying of said intent to transfer said designated unit of data; and means for transferring said converted designated unit of data to said computer operating at release level N-M wherein said converted designated unit of data will execute properly within said computer operating at said release level M minus M.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
189 words
The data processing system having multiple computers operating at diverse release levels for transferring a unit of data having an executable portion from a computer operating at release level N to a computer operating at release level N-M according to claim 5, wherein said unit of data having an executable portion includes a plurality of segments and wherein said means for automatically converting said executable portion of said unit of data from operation at said release level N to operation at said release level N-M in response to said specifying of said intent to transfer said designated unit of data comprises: means from determining which of said plurality of segments of said unit of data will not operate at said release level N-M; means for altering each of said segments of said unit of data which will not operate at said release level N-M so that each segments will operate at release level N-M; and means for combining each altered segment of said unit of data with any unaltered segment of said unit of data to create a converted unit of data which will operate at release level N-M.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
72 words
The a data processing system having multiple computers operating at diverse release levels for transferring a unit of data having an executable portion from a computer operating at release level N to a computer operating at release level N-M according to claim 5, further including means for adding a descriptor to said converted designated unit of data indicating that said converted designated unit of data will operate at said release level N-M.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
100 words
The data processing system having multiple computers operating at diverse release levels for transferring a unit of data having an executable portion from a computer operating at release level N to a computer operating at release level N-M according to claim 5, further including means for transmitting an error message to a user in response to an inability of said system to automatically convert said executable portion of said unit of data from operation at said release level N to operation at release level N-M in response to said specifying of said intent to transfer said designated unit of data.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
50 words
The data processing system having multiple computers operating at diverse release levels for transferring a unit of data having an executable portion from a computer operating at release level N to a computer operating at release level N-M according to claim 5, wherein said unit of data comprises a program.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
83 words
The data processing system having multiple computers operating at diverse release levels for transferring a unit of data having an executable portion from a computer operating at release level N to a computer operating at release level N-M according to claim 5, wherein said means for transferring said converted designated unit of data to said computer operating at said release level N-M comprises a communications line coupling said computer operating at release level N to said computer operating at said release level N-M.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
76 words
The data processing system having multiple computers operating at diverse release levels for transferring a unit of data having an executable portion from a computer operating at release level N to a computer operating at release level N-M according to claim 6, wherein said unit of data includes a first field comprising information indicating whether or not a segment may be converted from operation at said release level N to operation at said release level N-M.
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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) | 2001-08-24 | 2002-02-23 | 2002-08-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-08-24 | 2006-02-23 | 2006-08-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-08-24 | 2010-02-23 | 2010-08-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |