US5864852A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Proxy server caching mechanism that provides a file directory structure and a mapping mechanism within the file directory structure
Assignee: Meta Platforms Inc
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Filing: 1996-04-26
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Granted: 1999-01-26
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Expires: 2016-04-26
Abstract
Abstract In a proxy server, variable length URLs are digested and thereby homogenized, such that each URL is converted to a URL fingerprint that has a unique identity and a same fixed size. The URL fingerprint is used to map the URL to a proxy server cache directory structure. A unique file name may also be generated from the URL fingerprint for each URL. The same bits are used in the file name, such that any given file can be remapped later to a directory structure that had been expanded or collapsed, so that the first bits are not unique to a particular hierarchy. A unique cache information file is included in the directory to store document-related information for each other file in the directory for quick access. Accordingly, the invention provides an addressing and cache organization scheme that allows quick access to documents that contain all the relevant information for each of the URLs.
Inventors
- 👤 Ari Luotonen
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 12:14
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04L; H04L61/00; H04L61/30; H04L61/301; G; G06; G06F; G06F16/00; G06F16/90; G06F16/95; G06F16/957; G06F16/9574; H04L67/00; H04L67/50; H04L67/56; H04L67/568; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S707/00; Y10S707/99931; Y10S707/99939; Y10S707/99941; Y10S707/99944; Y10S707/99945
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 28
Claim 1
Independent Claim
83 words
A cache mechanism for a proxy server, comprising: an input for receiving a variable length string of data that defines a file protocol and path; a message digest module for converting said variable length string of data to a unique, fixed length file protocol and path fingerprint; and a mapping facility for mapping said fingerprint to a file directory; wherein said input variable length string of data is used to identify both a file name and a directory to which said file belongs.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
83 words
A cache mechanism for a proxy server, comprising: an input for receiving a variable length string of data that defines a file protocol and path; a message digest module for converting said variable length string of data to a unique, fixed length file protocol and path fingerprint; and a mapping facility for mapping said fingerprint to a file directory; wherein said input variable length string of data is used to identify both a file name and a directory to which said file belongs.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The mechanism of claim 1, wherein said variable length string of data is digested by said converting module.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
The mechanism of claim 2, wherein an MD5 protocol is used to digest said variable length string of data.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The mechanism of claim 3, wherein a subset of a data string produced by said MD5 protocol is used as said fingerprint.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The mechanism of claim 1, wherein said mapping facility takes a first N bits of a first M bytes of said fingerprint to map said fingerprint to said file directory.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
53 words
The mechanism of claim 1, wherein said fingerprint defines both a file directory mapping and a file name to allow said input variable length string of data to be remapped to a directory structure that had been expanded or collapsed, such that said file name is not unique to a particular directory hierarchy.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The mechanism of claim 1, wherein said directory comprises a plurality of directories having a plurality of levels.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The mechanism of claim 1, further comprising: a cache info file (CIF) that provides a central repository of information about each file in said directory.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The mechanism of claim 8, wherein said CIF defines parameters associated with each file in said directory.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
The mechanism of claim 8, wherein said CIF is accessed before a file identified by said fingerprint may be used.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The mechanism of claim 1, wherein said input variable length string of data is a uniform resource locator (URL).
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
93 words
A cache mechanism for a proxy server, comprising: an input for receiving a variable length string of data that defines a file protocol and path; a message digest module for converting said variable length string of data to a unique, fixed length file protocol and path fingerprint; and a mapping facility for mapping said fingerprint to a file directory and for providing a normal distribution of data throughout said; wherein said input variable length string of data is used to produce both a file name and a directory to which said file belongs.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
93 words
A cache mechanism for a proxy server, comprising: an input for receiving a variable length string of data that defines a file protocol and path; a message digest module for converting said variable length string of data to a unique, fixed length file protocol and path fingerprint; and a mapping facility for mapping said fingerprint to a file directory and for providing a normal distribution of data throughout said; wherein said input variable length string of data is used to produce both a file name and a directory to which said file belongs.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
18 words
The mechanism of claim 12, wherein said variable length string of data is digested by said converting module.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
19 words
The mechanism of claim 13, wherein an MD5 protocol is used to digest said variable length string of data.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
22 words
The mechanism of claim 14, wherein a subset of a data string produced by said MD5 protocol is used as said fingerprint.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
30 words
The mechanism of claim 12, wherein said mapping facility takes a first N bits of a first M bytes of said fingerprint to map said fingerprint to said file directory.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
53 words
The mechanism of claim 12, wherein said fingerprint defines both a file directory mapping and a file name to allow said input variable length string of data to be remapped to a directory structure that had been expanded or collapsed, such that said file name is not unique to a particular directory hierarchy.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
The mechanism of claim 12, wherein said directory comprises a plurality of directories having a plurality of levels.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
25 words
The mechanism of claim 12, further comprising: a cache info file (CIF) that provides a central repository of information about each file in said directory.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
The mechanism of claim 19, wherein said CIF defines parameters associated with each file in said directory.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
20 words
The mechanism of claim 19, wherein said CIF is accessed before a file identified by said fingerprint may be used.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
19 words
The mechanism of claim 12, wherein said input variable length string of data is a uniform resource locator (URL).
Claim 25
Independent Claim
81 words
A method for accessing files in proxy server cache, comprising the steps of: receiving a variable length string of data that defines a file protocol and path; converting said variable length string of data to a unique, fixed length file protocol and path fingerprint with a message digest module; and mapping said fingerprint to a file directory; wherein said input variable length string of data is used to identify both a file name and a directory to which said file belongs.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
81 words
A method for accessing files in proxy server cache, comprising the steps of: receiving a variable length string of data that defines a file protocol and path; converting said variable length string of data to a unique, fixed length file protocol and path fingerprint with a message digest module; and mapping said fingerprint to a file directory; wherein said input variable length string of data is used to identify both a file name and a directory to which said file belongs.
Claim 27
Independent Claim
91 words
A method for accessing files in proxy server cache, comprising the steps of: receiving a variable length string of data that defines a file protocol and path; converting said variable length string of data to a unique, fixed length file protocol and path fingerprint with a message digest module; and generating a file name from said fingerprint and providing a normal distribution of data throughout said cache; wherein said input variable length string of data is used to generate both a file name and a directory to which said file belongs.
Claim 28
Independent Claim
91 words
A method for accessing files in proxy server cache, comprising the steps of: receiving a variable length string of data that defines a file protocol and path; converting said variable length string of data to a unique, fixed length file protocol and path fingerprint with a message digest module; and generating a file name from said fingerprint and providing a normal distribution of data throughout said cache; wherein said input variable length string of data is used to generate both a file name and a directory to which said file belongs.
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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) | 2002-01-25 | 2002-07-27 | 2003-01-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-01-25 | 2006-07-27 | 2007-01-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-01-25 | 2010-07-27 | 2011-01-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |