Patent Document ID: 5428606
Application ID: 08083593
Patent Flag: 1

Claim One:
1. A method for the exchange of digital information packets, comprising: (a) creating a digital information packet wherein the packet includes: (i) a series string of data representing desired information; (ii) a publisher address, corresponding to the location of a publisher creating said digital information packet; (iii) a digital information packet directory entry, corresponding to a publishable address which is used to locate and order said particular digital information packet; (b) transmitting said digital information packet directory entry and said publisher address from a modular expandable unit to an exchange over a transmission medium; (c) publishing said digital information packet directory entry and said publisher address over the exchange by filing and cataloguing, according to subject matter and type of medium supported, said digital information packet directory entry and said publisher address; (d) compiling a list of said digital information packet directory entries and corresponding said publisher addresses; (e) making available said list to subscribers with modular expandable units; (f) locating a particular desired digital information packet by choosing one of said digital information packet directory entries from said compiled list over said exchange by using another modular expandable unit; (g) subscribing to said digital information packet over said exchange by using one of said modular expandable units and providing information to said exchange, including: (i) subscriber address where said digital information packet is to be sent; (ii) the publisher address where said digital information packet is to be sent from; (iii) the digital information packet directory entry where said digital information packet is stored; (h) transferring said digital information packet from said publisher to said subscriber over said transmissions medium; (i) concurrent with step (h), buffering said transfer of said digital information packet from said publisher to said subscriber such that said transfer occurs asynchronously.