SERVER AND METHOD FOR DOWNLOADING FILES

A method for downloading files from a server. A first server receives search conditions from a user for downloading files, and determines a file list listing matching files in a second server. The first server sorts the files listed in the file list according to sorting standards input by the user, and obtains a downloading sequence of the files by arranging the sorted files according to a dynamic priority input by the user. Files are then downloaded from the second server according to the downloading sequence.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1is a block diagram of one embodiment of a first server1. The first server1includes a downloading system10, a processor11, and a storage system12. The first server1connects to a second server2via a network. The second server2includes a file database20. The file database20stores files and attributes of the files. The attributes include for example a size of each file, an uploading date of each file, and a type code of each file. In one embodiment, the second server2may be a national Patent Office server, such as the USPTO server. The files stored in the file database20may be an Office Action from the USPTO server. The attributes include a size of each file, an uploading date of each file, and a type code of each file. For example, the attributes of the file may include a number of pages of the Office Action and a date of receiving the Office Action.

The storage system12stores a file configuration table. The file configuration table stores the type identifiers of all the files. A type identifier of each file may be a first type identifier or a second type identifier. The files having the first type identifiers are files which need be downloaded. The files having the second type identifiers are files which do not require to be downloaded. The storage system12also stores a priority of each file. In one embodiment, the priority of each file may be arranged according to deadline dates of the files.

As shown inFIG. 2, the downloading system10includes a plurality of function modules, such as an accessing module100, a searching module101, an analyzing module102, a storing module103, a distinguishing module104, a first sorting module105, a second sorting module106, and a downloading module107. The modules100-107include computerized code in the form of one or more programs that are stored in the storage system12. The computerized code includes instructions that are executed by the processor11, to provide functions of the downloading system10. Detailed functions of the modules100-107are given in reference toFIG. 3.

FIG. 3is a flowchart of one embodiment of a method for downloading files. Depending on the embodiment, additional steps may be added, others removed, and the sequence of the steps may be changed.

In step S30, the accessing module100accesses the file database20of the second server2.

In step S31, the searching module101receives search conditions from a user and determines a file list which lists files according to the search conditions in the file database20. The file list includes the attributes of each searched file. In one embodiment, the search conditions may be a combination of a uploading date, a name of an agent, and an application number for example. For example, the searching module101searches the USPTO website for files that accord with the search conditions.

In step S32, the analyzing module102analyzes a type identifier of each searched file in the file list according to the file configuration table. Then the analyzing module102stores the type code of each searched file, and determines and marks whether each searched file needs to be downloaded according to the type code of each searched file. In one embodiment, the analyzing module102marks the searched file with a flag. If a searched file needs to be downloaded, the flag of the searched file may be “1”. If a searched file does not need to be downloaded, the flag of the searched file may be “0”.

In step S33, the storing module103stores the file list and the type code of each searched file in the file list in the storage system12. The type code of each searched file can be stored in the attributes of each searched file.

In step S34, the distinguishing module104distinguishes between the files which need to be downloaded and the files which do not need to be downloaded according to the type identifiers of the files and obtains the files to be downloaded. The distinguishing module104receives sort standards set by the user. In one embodiment, the distinguishing module104provides a user interface for the user to input the sort standards. The sort standards may include deadline dates and types of the files, for example.

In step S35, the first sorting module105sorts the obtained files according to the priority of each obtained file and the sort standards. For example, the first sorting module105distinguishes between first files which have deadline dates and second files which do not have deadline dates from the obtained files. Then the first sorting module105sorts the first files according to the deadline dates. A first file having the earliest deadline date has a higher priority than another first file which has a later deadline date.

In step S36, the second sorting module106receives a dynamic priority inputted by the user and arranges a sequence of the sorted files according the dynamic priority. In one embodiment, the dynamic priority may be the uploading times of the sorted files.

In step S37, the downloading module107downloads the obtained files according to the sequence of the sorted files from the file database20.