US6029160A — Method and means for linking a database system wi…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 145 words

A method for accessing file objects from a client application using a database system, the file objects being stored in a system for filing data (filing system), the method comprising the steps of: creating a connection between the database system and the filing system for exchange of information between the database system and the filing system respecting file objects in the filing system; defining a data type in the database system for reference to file objects in the filing system (EFR data type); entering data into the database system which includes an EFR data type field that contains a reference to a file object in the filing system; and providing control information on the connection between the database system and the filing system which causes the filing system to control processing of the file object according to referential integrity constraints established at the database system.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 145 words

A method for accessing file objects from a client application using a database system, the file objects being stored in a system for filing data (filing system), the method comprising the steps of: creating a connection between the database system and the filing system for exchange of information between the database system and the filing system respecting file objects in the filing system; defining a data type in the database system for reference to file objects in the filing system (EFR data type); entering data into the database system which includes an EFR data type field that contains a reference to a file object in the filing system; and providing control information on the connection between the database system and the filing system which causes the filing system to control processing of the file object according to referential integrity constraints established at the database system.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 93 words

The method of claim 1, wherein the client application includes a first interface with the database system and a second interface with the filing system, further including the steps of: providing a request from the client application to the database system through the first interface for retrieval of an entry which includes a reference to the file object; providing a response from the database system through the first interface that includes the reference to the file object; and obtaining the file object from the filing system through the second interface using the reference.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 42 words

The method of claim 2, further including the step of: prior to the step of obtaining, providing a request from the client application through the second interface for access to the file object, the request including the reference to the file object.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 100 words

The method of claim 3, wherein: the step of providing a response from the database system includes generating a token denoting access authorization of the database system to file objects in the filing system, and appending the token to the reference, the response including the reference and appended token; in the step of providing a request from the client application through the second interface, the request includes the reference and appended token; and the step of obtaining the file object is preceded by the step of authorizing access to the file by the client application in response to the token.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 42 words

The method of claim 1, further including the following steps, performed in the filing system: receiving a request from a user of the filing system to rename or delete the file object; and rejecting the request in response to the control information.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 62 words

The method of claim 1, further including the steps of: defining a relation over the EFR data type, the relation being represented by a table including a column defined over the EFR data type; and providing a group identification on the connection between the database system and the filing system, the group identification for identifying any file object referenced in the column.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 64 words

The method of claim 6, wherein the step of entering data includes entering a plurality of tuples in the table, each tuple including EFR data in a field of the column which references a file object in the filing system, and the step of providing control information includes providing identification of each file object referenced in the column, each identification including the group identification.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 76 words

The method of claim 7, further including the steps of: deleting the relation from the database system; followed by, returning control of file objects referenced in the column to the filing system by deleting the referential integrity constraints for the file objects at the filing system in response to a request from the database system; or deleting file objects referenced in the column from the filing system in response to a request from the database system.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 83 words

The method of claim 8, further including: deleting the data from the database system; followed by returning control of the file object referenced in the EFR data type field to the filing system by deleting the referential integrity constraints with respect to the file object at the filing system in response to a request from the database system; or deleting the file object referenced in the EFR data type field from the filing system in response to a request from the database system.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 83 words

The method of claim 1, further including: deleting the data from the database system; followed by returning control of the file object referenced in the EFR data type field to the filing system by deleting the referential integrity constraints with respect to the file object at the filing system in response to a request from the database system; or deleting the file object referenced in the EFR data type field from the filing system in response to a request from the database system.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 119 words

A combination for accessing file objects from a client application using a database system, the file objects being stored in a system for filing data (filing system), the combination comprising: means for creating a connection between the database system and the filing system; means for defining a data type in the database system for reference to file objects in the filing system (EFR data type); and means responsive to an entry in the database system which includes a reference of the EFR data type to a file object in the filing system for providing control information on the connection which causes the filing system to control processing of the file object according to constraints established at the database system.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 119 words

A combination for accessing file objects from a client application using a database system, the file objects being stored in a system for filing data (filing system), the combination comprising: means for creating a connection between the database system and the filing system; means for defining a data type in the database system for reference to file objects in the filing system (EFR data type); and means responsive to an entry in the database system which includes a reference of the EFR data type to a file object in the filing system for providing control information on the connection which causes the filing system to control processing of the file object according to constraints established at the database system.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 80 words

The combination of claim 11 further including: a first interface between the client application and the database system for provision of database access requests which include references to file objects in the filing system and for receipt of responses from the database system that include references to file objects in the filing system; and a second interface between the client application and the filing system for obtaining file objects from the filing system using references provided through the first interface.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 62 words

The combination of claim 12, further including: means in the database system for generating a unique token denoting access authorization of the database system to file objects in the filing system; and means in the filing system for authorizing access to file objects in the filing system through the second interface in response to a unique token generated in the database system.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 31 words

The combination of claim 11, further including means in the filing system responsive to the control information for rejecting requests from filing system users to rename or delete the file object.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 72 words

The combination of claim 11, further including: means in the database system for defining a relation over the EFR data type, the relation being represented by a table including a column defined over the EFR data type; and means in the database system for providing a group identification on the connection between the database system and the filing system, the group identification system for identifying every file object referenced in the column.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 67 words

The combination of claim 15, further including: means in the database system for entering a plurality of tuples in the table, each tuple including EFR data in a field of the column which references a file object in the filing system; and the means for providing control information having means for providing identification of each file object referenced in the column, the identification including the group identification.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 64 words

The combination of claim 16, further including: means in the database system for deleting the relationship from the database system; means for returning control of file objects referenced in the column to the filing system by deleting the referential integrity constraints with respect to the file objects at the filing system, or by deleting file objects referenced in the column from the filing system.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 69 words

The combination of claim 17, further including: means in the database system for deleting the entry from the database system; and means responsive to deletion of the entry for returning control of the file object referenced in the entry to the filing system by deleting the referential integrity constraints with respect to the file object at the filing system, or by deleting the file object from the filing system.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 175 words

A computer program product, comprising: a computer usable medium having computer readable program code means embodied thereon for enabling a database system to reference file objects stored in a system for filing data (a filing system); a first computer readable program code means embodied in the medium for casing the database system to create a connection with a filing system for exchange of information between the database system and the filing system respecting file objects in the filing system; a second computer readable program code means embodied in the medium for defining a data type in the database system for reference to file objects in the filing system (EFR data type); and a third computer readable program code means embodied in the medium for providing control information on the connection between the database system and the filing system which causes the filing system to control processing of a file object in response to an entry into the database system that includes data of an EFR data type referencing a file object in the filing system.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 175 words

A computer program product, comprising: a computer usable medium having computer readable program code means embodied thereon for enabling a database system to reference file objects stored in a system for filing data (a filing system); a first computer readable program code means embodied in the medium for casing the database system to create a connection with a filing system for exchange of information between the database system and the filing system respecting file objects in the filing system; a second computer readable program code means embodied in the medium for defining a data type in the database system for reference to file objects in the filing system (EFR data type); and a third computer readable program code means embodied in the medium for providing control information on the connection between the database system and the filing system which causes the filing system to control processing of a file object in response to an entry into the database system that includes data of an EFR data type referencing a file object in the filing system.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 68 words

The computer program product of claim 19, further including: fourth computer readable program code means embodied in the medium for providing a group identification on the connection between the database system and the filing system, the group identification for identifying any file object referenced in a column defined in the database system over the EFR data type included in a table representing a relation of the database system.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 113 words

A computer program product, comprising: a computer useable medium having computer readable program code means embodied thereon for enabling a database system to reference file objects stored in a system for filing data (filing system); a computer readable code means embodied on the medium for causing a database system to define a data type that references file objects in the filing system that is external to the database system; and a computer command code means embodied on the medium for directing the filing system to prevent renaming or deletion of a file object in the filing system that is referenced in an entry in the database system by data of the data type.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 113 words

A computer program product, comprising: a computer useable medium having computer readable program code means embodied thereon for enabling a database system to reference file objects stored in a system for filing data (filing system); a computer readable code means embodied on the medium for causing a database system to define a data type that references file objects in the filing system that is external to the database system; and a computer command code means embodied on the medium for directing the filing system to prevent renaming or deletion of a file object in the filing system that is referenced in an entry in the database system by data of the data type.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 11 words

The method of claim 1, wherein the file objects are files.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 12 words

The method of claim 1, wherein the file objects are bit files.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 11 words

The combination of claim 11, wherein the file objects are files.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 12 words

The combination of claim 11, wherein the file objects are bit files.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 13 words

The computer program product of claim 19, wherein the file objects are files.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 14 words

The computer program product of claim 19, wherein the file objects are bit files.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 13 words

The computer program product of claim 21, wherein the file objects are files.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 14 words

The computer program product of claim 21, wherein the file objects are bit files.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2003-02-21	2003-08-23	2004-02-22	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2007-02-21	2007-08-23	2008-02-22	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2011-02-21	2011-08-23	2012-02-22	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Method and means for linking a database system with a system for filing data

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