Patent ID: 6088717
Filing Date: 2000-07-11
Classification: H04L,Y10S

Abstract:
A node for use in a computer-based communications system which includes multiple nodes arranged and adapted to intercommunicate via a communications network, said node characterized by:(A) storage means for storing information;(B) association means for associating portions of said information with metadata, said metadata defining a control structure which is transferred in either direction between said node and a second node of said system to associate with said associated information processes which execute instructions external to said control structure to control communications of said associated information, said metadata including at least one of(1) update metadata which associates with said associated information a process for determining when said portions of said information associated by said metadata have been updated and transfer metadata which associates a process for controlling the transfer at least a portion of said updated information,(2) data exchange metadata which associates with said associated information a process for controlling the transfer of feedback information, said feedback information including at least a portion of said information stored at the receiving node, and(3) receipt processing metadata which associates with said associated information a process for determining the processing of said associated information by comparison to an associated version of said control structure; and(C) communications means for at least one of(1) transferring said information, including said metadata defining said control structure, to said second node to control at least one of(a) transferring said updated in formation to said second node,(b) receiving said feedback information from said second node, and(c) processing said feedback information, and(2) receiving said information, including said metadata defining said control structure, from said second node to control at least one of(a) receiving said updated information from said second node,(b) processing said updated information, and(c) transferring said feedback information to said second node.