Patent ID: 6189045
Filing Date: 2001-02-13
Classification: G06F,Y10S

Abstract:
A method for enhancing data type conversion for network communications, comprising the steps of:identifying and storing data-tpye preferences of data consumers;receiving producer data in a multi-type publish and subscribe network communications system over at least one network from a data producer, said producer data having a producer data type;storing said producer data in a producer data type database in said multi-type publish and subscribe network communications system;converting the producer data to consumer data having a consumer data type different than the producer data type in said multi-type publish and subscribe network communications system, said consumer data-type being consonant with one of said identified and stored data-type preferences, said at least one data consumer being different than the data producer;replicating the producer data type database in a replicated database in the consumer data type in said multi-type publish and subscribe network communications system; andsending the consumer data from said multi-type publish and subscribe network communications system over at least one network to said at least one data consumer,said multi-type publish and subscribe network supporting a network-based discussion croup, said discussion group including a system for asynchronous collaboration, said system for asynchronous collaboration arranging subject matter in a hierarchy, said system for asynchronous collaboration accepting posts of producer data, said system for asynchronous collaboration providing said posts of producer data in the form of consumer data to consumers interacting with said multi-type publish and subscribe network-based discussion group database system.