US5918227A — On-line directory service with a plurality of dat…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 117 words

A directory service accessible to a user and having a large number of records, the directory service comprising: a first plurality of databases, each of which has storage for maintaining the records; a processing system including: a second plurality of processors, each of the second plurality of processors being coupled to each of the databases and each processor for accessing records from any one of the databases; and a first processor receiving all requests for records from users and passing each request to one of the second plurality of processor so that each of the second plurality of processors communicates with the user independent of the first processor after the request is passed from the first processor.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 117 words

A directory service accessible to a user and having a large number of records, the directory service comprising: a first plurality of databases, each of which has storage for maintaining the records; a processing system including: a second plurality of processors, each of the second plurality of processors being coupled to each of the databases and each processor for accessing records from any one of the databases; and a first processor receiving all requests for records from users and passing each request to one of the second plurality of processor so that each of the second plurality of processors communicates with the user independent of the first processor after the request is passed from the first processor.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 32 words

The directory service of claim 1, wherein the directory service is publicly accessible to users over the Internet, the directory service further comprising a firewall between the first processor and the users.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 36 words

The directory service of claim 2, further comprising a monitor that generates requests to the processing system through the firewall, the monitor providing an alarm in response to certain types of responses from the processing system.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 118 words

The directory service of claim 3, further comprising: a plurality of applications residing in the databases and in the processors, at least some of the applications being reconfigured in response to one or more other applications being added or removed; a directory that lists applications, other applications that are affected when the applications are added or removed, and events that cause a change in the listed applications; and a configuration manager in communication with the applications and the directory and responsive to an event relating to one of the applications for determining which applications are related to the one application and for communicating with the related applications to cause them to take action in response to the event.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 118 words

The directory service of claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of applications residing in the databases and in the processors, at least some of the applications being reconfigured in response to one or more other applications being added or removed; a directory that lists applications, other applications that are affected when the applications are added or removed, and events that cause a change in the listed applications; and a configuration manager in communication with the applications and the directory and responsive to an event relating to one of the applications for determining which applications are related to the one application and for communicating with the related applications to cause them to take action in response to the event.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 45 words

The directory service of claim 1, further comprising: a monitor that generates requests to the first processor and provides an alarm if an appropriate response is not received; and a firewall between the first processor and users and between the monitor and the first processor.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 28 words

The directory service of claim 6, wherein the monitor randomly generates names to request that the first processor retrieve records from one of the first plurality of databases.

Claim 9

Independent Claim 98 words

A method for use by a directory service comprising: receiving, by a first processor in a processing system, a request for access to records from a user; the first processor determining one of a first plurality of processors to which the request is to be passed; the one processor determining one of a second plurality of databases from which to obtain records, each of the second plurality of databases having an identical set of records from which the user requests records; and the one processor providing to the user records from the one database responsive to the request.

Claim 10

Independent Claim 98 words

A method for use by a directory service comprising: receiving, by a first processor in a processing system, a request for access to records from a user; the first processor determining one of a first plurality of processors to which the request is to be passed; the one processor determining one of a second plurality of databases from which to obtain records, each of the second plurality of databases having an identical set of records from which the user requests records; and the one processor providing to the user records from the one database responsive to the request.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 15 words

The method of claim 8, wherein the receiving includes receiving a request over the Internet.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 28 words

The method of claim 9, further comprising providing requests from a monitor to the first processor through the firewall to determine whether the directory service is functioning properly.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 25 words

The method of claim 8, wherein the first processor provides a menu of searching options and makes the determination after a searching option is selected.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 35 words

The method of claim 8, wherein the receiving includes receiving a request over the Internet, wherein the first processor provides a menu of searching options and makes the determination after a searching option is selected.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 43 words

The method of claim 8, further comprising, generating a request to the first processor by a monitor that is outside a firewall between the monitor and the first processor, receiving a response, and providing an alarm if an appropriate response is not received.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 28 words

The method of claim 13, wherein the generating is performed by the monitor randomly generating names to request that the first processor retrieve records from the one database.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 127 words

A directory service comprising: a database; a processing system that receives requests from users, accesses the database, and provides records to users; a plurality of applications residing in the database and processing system, at least some of the applications being reconfigured in response to one or more other applications being added or removed; a directory that lists applications, other applications that are affected when the applications are added or removed, and events that cause a change in the listed applications; and a configuration manager in communication with the applications to the directory and responsive to an event relating to one of the applications, wherein the configuration manager determines which applications are related to the one application and communicates with the related applications in response to the event.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 127 words

A directory service comprising: a database; a processing system that receives requests from users, accesses the database, and provides records to users; a plurality of applications residing in the database and processing system, at least some of the applications being reconfigured in response to one or more other applications being added or removed; a directory that lists applications, other applications that are affected when the applications are added or removed, and events that cause a change in the listed applications; and a configuration manager in communication with the applications to the directory and responsive to an event relating to one of the applications, wherein the configuration manager determines which applications are related to the one application and communicates with the related applications in response to the event.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 106 words

A directory service accessible to a user and having a large number of records, the directory service comprising: a plurality of databases, each of which has storage for maintaining redundant records of white pages information for a large number of users; a plurality of processors, each coupled to each database for accessing records from a desired database; and a first processor responsive to being contacted by a user over the Internet for passing a request for records to one of plurality of processors so that the one of the plurality of processors communicates with the user independent of the first processor after the request is passed.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 106 words

A directory service accessible to a user and having a large number of records, the directory service comprising: a plurality of databases, each of which has storage for maintaining redundant records of white pages information for a large number of users; a plurality of processors, each coupled to each database for accessing records from a desired database; and a first processor responsive to being contacted by a user over the Internet for passing a request for records to one of plurality of processors so that the one of the plurality of processors communicates with the user independent of the first processor after the request is passed.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 27 words

The directory service of claim 16, wherein the first processor determines which one of the plurality of processors to pass the message to by a round-robin method.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 31 words

The directory service of claim 16, wherein the first processor determines which one of the plurality of processors to pass the message to by determining the load on the plurality processors.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 36 words

The directory service of claim 16, wherein the first processor provides a menu of searching options when accessed by a user, the first processor passing the request when a user selected one of the searching options.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 52 words

The directory service of claim 19, wherein the menu of searching options further includes an option for the user to register with the directory service and an option for a registered user to log in to the directory service, the service maintaining a registered user database separate from the plurality of databases.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 45 words

The directory service of claim 16, further comprising: a monitor that generates requests to the first processor and provides an alarm if an appropriate response is not received; and a firewall between the first processor and users and between the monitor and the first processor.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 28 words

The directory service of claim 21, wherein the monitor randomly generates names to request that the first processor retrieve records from one of the first plurality of databases.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2002-06-28	2002-12-28	2003-06-29	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2006-06-28	2006-12-28	2007-06-29	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2010-06-28	2010-12-28	2011-06-29	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

On-line directory service with a plurality of databases and processors

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