U.S. patent application number 11/439058 was filed with the patent office on 2006-09-21 for method and apparatus for meta-shopping and dynamic setup of b2b ecommerce.
Invention is credited to Asit Dan, Daniel Manuel Dias, Thao N. Nguyen, John F. Schumacher, Hidayatullah H. Shaikh.
Application Number | 20060212368 11/439058 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 25217595 |
Filed Date | 2006-09-21 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060212368 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dan; Asit ; et al. |
September 21, 2006 |
Method and apparatus for meta-shopping and dynamic setup of B2B
ecommerce
Abstract
A method, apparatus, and computer implemented instructions for
generating a customized catalog for an entity or organization.
Items from a base catalog are presented to a user located at a
remote data processing system. One or more items are selected by a
user through a process of "meta-shopping". The selected items are
placed in a set, also referred to as a "meta-shopping cart", used
to generate the customized catalog. Terms for purchasing items in
the customized catalog are associated with the customized catalog.
Further, a protocol for purchasing items from the customized
catalog may be established, and the customized catalog is then
placed on a Web site.
Inventors: |
Dan; Asit; (Pleasantville,
NY) ; Dias; Daniel Manuel; (Mohegan Lake, NY)
; Nguyen; Thao N.; (Katonah, NY) ; Schumacher;
John F.; (White Plains, NY) ; Shaikh; Hidayatullah
H.; (Mohegan Lake, NY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DUKE. W. YEE
YEE & ASSOCIATES, P.C.
P.O. BOX 802333
DALLAS
TX
75380
US
|
Family ID: |
25217595 |
Appl. No.: |
11/439058 |
Filed: |
May 23, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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09815374 |
Mar 22, 2001 |
7085737 |
|
|
11439058 |
May 23, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/80 ;
705/26.8 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 30/0621 20130101;
G06Q 50/188 20130101; G06Q 30/0641 20130101; G06Q 30/02 20130101;
G06Q 30/0633 20130101; G06Q 30/0635 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/027 ;
705/026 |
International
Class: |
G06F 17/30 20060101
G06F017/30 |
Claims
1. A method in a data processing system for establishing a
customized catalog, the method comprising: placing items in a
meta-shopping cart in response to a selection of the items by a
user; and generating the customized catalog using items in the
meta-shopping cart in response to a request to generate the
customized catalog; and placing the catalog on a Web site.
2. The method of claim 1 further comprising: allowing purchases
from the catalog on the Web site by a selected buyer.
3. The method of claim 2, wherein the selected buyer is the
user.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the user is one of an individual,
a business, and a government entity.
5. The method of claim 1 further comprising: processing orders to
purchase items from the customized catalog.
6. The method of claim 1 further comprising: establishing terms for
purchasing an item from the customized catalog.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein the step of establishing terms
for purchasing an item from the catalog comprises: presenting a set
of default terms to the user; and negotiating a final set of terms
from the set of default terms to form the terms for purchasing an
item from the customized catalog.
8. The method of claim 6, wherein the terms includes at least one
of purchases prices for the items, minimum quantities of items to
be purchased, order cancellation policies, shipping prices,
delivery times, locations allowed to purchase from the customized
catalog, and payment methods.
9. The method of claim 1, further comprising: sending the items to
the user in response to the request to generate the customized
catalog.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the items are converted into an
extensible markup language format.
11. The method of claim 1, wherein the web site is located at a
user location.
12-72. (canceled)
73. A computer program product in a computer readable medium for
establishing a catalog, the computer program product comprising:
first instructions for placing items in a meta-shopping cart in
response to a selection of the items by a user; second instructions
for generating the customized catalog using items in the
meta-shopping cart in response to a request to generate the
customized catalog; and third instructions for placing the catalog
on a Web site.
74. The computer program product of claim 73 further comprising:
fourth instructions for allowing purchases from the catalog on the
Web site by a selected buyer.
75. The computer program product of claim 74, wherein the selected
buyer is the user.
76. (canceled)
77. The computer program product of claim 73 further comprising:
fourth instructions for processing orders to purchase items from
the customized catalog.
78. The computer program product of claim 73 further comprising:
fourth instructions for establishing terms for purchasing an item
from the catalog.
79. The computer program product of claim 78, wherein the fourth
instruction comprises: first sub-instructions for presenting a set
of default terms to the user; and second sub-instructions for
negotiating a final set of terms from the set of default terms to
form the terms for purchasing an item form the catalog.
80. The computer program product of claim 78, wherein the terms
includes at least one of purchases prices for the items, minimum
quantities of items to be purchased, order cancellation policies,
shipping prices, delivery times, locations allowed to purchase from
the catalog, and payment methods.
81. The computer program product of claim 73, further comprising:
fourth instructions for sending the items to the user in response
to the request to generate the customized catalog.
82. The computer program product of claim 81, wherein the items are
converted into an extensible markup language format.
83-96. (canceled)
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Technical Field
[0002] The present invention provides an improved data processing
system, in particular a method and apparatus for setting up a
customized catalog. Still more particularly, the present invention
provides a method, apparatus, and computer implemented instructions
for setting up a customized catalog for use in a
business-to-business relationship.
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] The Internet, also referred to as an "internetwork", is a
set of computer networks, possibly dissimilar, joined together by
means of gateways that handle data transfer and the conversion of
messages from the sending network to the protocols used by the
receiving network (with packets if necessary). When capitalized,
the term "Internet" refers to the collection of networks and
gateways that use the TCP/IP suite of protocols.
[0005] The Internet has become a cultural fixture as a source of
both information and entertainment. Many businesses are creating
Internet sites as an integral part of their marketing efforts,
informing consumers of the products or services offered by the
business or providing other information seeking to engender brand
loyalty. Many federal, state, and local government agencies are
also employing Internet sites for informational purposes,
particularly agencies, which must interact with virtually all
segments of society such as the Internal Revenue Service and
secretaries of state. Providing informational guides and/or
searchable databases of online public records may reduce operating
costs. Further, the Internet is becoming increasingly popular as a
medium for commercial transactions.
[0006] Currently, the most commonly employed method of transferring
data over the Internet is to employ the World Wide Web environment,
also called simply "the Web". Other Internet resources exist for
transferring information, such as File Transfer Protocol (FTP) and
Gopher, but have not achieved the popularity of the Web. In the Web
environment, servers and clients effect data transactions using the
Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP), a known protocol for handling
the transfer of various data files (e.g., text, still graphic
images, audio, motion video, etc.). The information in various data
files is formatted for presentation to a user by a standard page
description language, the Hypertext Markup Language (HTML). In
addition to basic presentation formatting, HTML allows developers
to specify "links" to other Web resources identified by a Uniform
Resource Locator (URL). A URL is a special syntax identifier
defining a communications path to specific information. Each
logical block of information accessible to a client, called a
"page" or a "Web page", is identified by a URL. The URL provides a
universal, consistent method for finding and accessing this
information, not necessarily for the user, but mostly for the
user's Web "browser". A browser is a program capable of submitting
a request for information identified by an identifier, such as, for
example, a URL. A user may enter a domain name through a graphical
user interface (GUI) for the browser to access a source of content.
The domain name is automatically converted to the Internet Protocol
(IP) address by a domain name system (DNS), which is a service that
translates the symbolic name entered by the user into an IP address
by looking up the domain name in a database.
[0007] The Internet also is widely used to transfer applications to
users using browsers. With respect to commerce on the Web,
individual consumers and businesses use the Web to purchase various
goods and services. In offering goods and services, some companies
offer goods and services solely on the Web while others use the Web
to extend their reach.
[0008] With respect to these commercial activities and others,
businesses and other content providers go through a highly manual
process to set up mechanisms to facilitate business-to-business
commerce. For example, in setting up customized catalogs for use
between businesses, the items in the catalog are currently set up
through telephonic communications. A customized catalog is also
referred to as a "catalog". Manual configuration of the catalog as
well as various terms and operating conditions also are discussed
telephonically. After agreement is reached, then the catalog is
configured and placed on a Web site. Other times, the catalog may
be set up through face-to-face meetings between representatives of
the different businesses. Such a mechanism takes time and
manpower.
[0009] Therefore, it would be advantageous to have an improved
method and apparatus for setting up a business-to-business commerce
relationship.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention provides a method, apparatus, and
computer implemented instructions for generating a customized
catalog for an entity or organization. Items from a base catalog
are presented to a user located at a remote data processing system.
One or more items are selected by a user through a process of
"meta-shopping". The selected items are placed in a set, also
referred to as a "meta-shopping cart", used to generate the
customized catalog. Terms for purchasing items in the customized
catalog are associated with the customized catalog. Further, a
protocol for purchasing items from the customized catalog may be
established, and the customized catalog is then placed on a Web
site.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The novel features believed characteristic of the invention
are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself,
however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives and
advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the
following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment when
read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a pictorial representation of a network of data
processing systems in which the present invention may be
implemented;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a server cluster in accordance
with a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a data processing system that
may be implemented as a server in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating components used in a web
commerce server in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
present invention;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a process used for setting up a
catalog for business-to-business transaction in accordance with a
preferred embodiment of the present invention;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of a process used for creating a
customized catalog in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the
present invention; and
[0018] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a process used for negotiating
terms and conditions for the business-to-business relationship in
accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0019] With reference now to the figures, FIG. 1 depicts a
pictorial representation of a network of data processing systems in
which the present invention may be implemented. Network data
processing system 100 is a network of computers in which the
present invention may be implemented. Network data processing
system 100 contains a network 102, which is the medium used to
provide communications links between various devices and computers
connected together within network data processing system 100.
Network 102 may include connections, such as wire, wireless
communication links, or fiber optic cables.
[0020] In the depicted example, a server 104 is connected to
network 102 along with storage unit 106. Further, network data
processing system 100 also includes server cluster 108 as well as a
server 110. In this example, server 110 is connected to network 102
through local area network (LAN) 112. In addition, clients 114,
116, and 118 also are connected to network 102. These clients 114,
116, and 118 may be, for example, personal computers or network
computers. In the depicted example, server 104, server cluster 108,
and server 110 provide a distributed web commerce server system for
processing requests from clients 114-118. In the depicted examples,
server 104, server cluster 108 and server 110 may be located in
multiple, geographically distributed sites. The servers are
presented to users, such as those at clients 114-118, as a single
website. Additionally, one of the server, such as server 104 may
act as a load balancer to receive and direct requests from the
clients to the appropriate servers within the system. Network data
processing system 100 may include additional servers, clients, and
other devices not shown.
[0021] In the depicted examples, network data processing system 100
is the Internet with network 102 representing a worldwide
collection of networks and gateways that use the TCP/IP suite of
protocols to communicate with one another. At the heart of the
Internet is a backbone of high-speed data communication lines
between major nodes or host computers, consisting of thousands of
commercial, government, educational and other computer systems that
route data and messages. Of course, network data processing system
100 also may be implemented as a number of different types of
networks, such as for example, an intranet, a local area network
(LAN), or a wide area network (WAN). FIG. 1 is intended as an
example, and not as an architectural limitation for the present
invention.
[0022] With reference now to FIG. 2, a block diagram of a server
cluster is depicted in accordance with a preferred embodiment of
the present invention. Server cluster 200 in this example may be
implemented as server cluster 108 in FIG. 1.
[0023] In this example, servers 202-210 are in communication with
each other through communications system 212, which may take
various forms. Communications system 212 may be, for example, a
bus, a network, or a shared memory. Communications system 212 is
used to handle routing of requests and responses directed towards
server farm 200. Load manager 214 also is connected to
communications system 212 and serves to receive requests directed
to server farm 200 from network 216. Load manager 214 also serves
to distribute requests to servers 202-210 for processing.
[0024] Referring to FIG. 3, a block diagram of a data processing
system that may be implemented as a server, such as server 104 in
FIG. 1, is depicted in accordance with a preferred embodiment of
the present invention. Further, data processing system 300 may be
implemented as a server, such as server 202 with server cluster
200, in FIG. 2.
[0025] Data processing system 300 may be a symmetric multiprocessor
(SMP) system including a plurality of processors 302 and 304
connected to system bus 306. Alternatively, a single processor
system may be employed. Also connected to system bus 306 is memory
controller/cache 308, which provides an interface to local memory
309. I/O bus bridge 310 is connected to system bus 306 and provides
an interface to I/O bus 312. Memory controller/cache 308 and /O bus
bridge 310 may be integrated as depicted.
[0026] Peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus bridge 314
connected to I/O bus 312 provides an interface to PCI local bus
316. A number of modems may be connected to PCI bus 316. Typical
PCI bus implementations will support four PCI expansion slots or
add-in connectors. Communications links to network computers
114-118 in FIG. 1 may be provided through modem 318 and network
adapter 320 connected to PCI local bus 316 through add-in
boards.
[0027] Additional PCI bus bridges 322 and 324 provide interfaces
for additional PCI buses 326 and 328, from which additional modems
or network adapters may be supported. In this manner, data
processing system 300 allows connections to multiple network
computers. A memory-mapped graphics adapter 330 and hard disk 332
may also be connected to I/O bus 312 as depicted, either directly
or indirectly.
[0028] Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the
hardware depicted in FIG. 3 may vary. For example, other peripheral
devices, such as optical disk drives and the like, also may be used
in addition to or in place of the hardware depicted. The depicted
example is not meant to imply architectural limitations with
respect to the present invention.
[0029] The data processing system depicted in FIG. 3 may be, for
example, an IBM RISC/System 6000 system, a product of International
Business Machines Corporation in Armonk, N.Y., running the Advanced
Interactive Executive (AIX) operating system.
[0030] Turning next to FIG. 4, a diagram illustrating components
used in a web commerce server is depicted in accordance with a
preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this example,
server 400 hosts web commerce system processes, which may be
accessed across the Internet. In particular, these processes are
used to facilitate electronic commerce or e-commerce. E-commerce
involves doing business online, typically via the Web. E-commerce
also is called "e-business," "e-tailing" and "I-commerce."
[0031] As illustrated, server 400 includes a secure web server 402,
which is used to receive and process requests for information and
purchase orders. In this example, secure web server 402 uses
various known encryption techniques to provide privacy and security
for buyers ordering items. Secure web server 402 sends received
requests to appropriate components, such as user registration 404,
shopping cart engine 406, order engine 408, catalog 410, and
business-to-business setup 412 for processing. Additionally, secure
web server 402 will receive results and format those results for
return to the originator of the requests. In these examples, the
requests are received in an HTTP format and placed in the
appropriate form for use by other components in server 400.
Further, secure web server 402 will reformat the responses from
these components into the appropriate form for return to the
requestor.
[0032] User registration 404 is used to identify and register
buyers who submit purchase orders. Catalog 410 in these examples is
used to provide information, such as identification of items being
sold as well as quantities of these items and descriptions of the
items. Shopping cart engine 406 allows a user to store or hold
items identified through catalog 410 in a "shopping cart."
[0033] Order engine 408 provides order handling processes to
generate purchase orders from items placed in a shopping cart for a
customer. Further, order engine 408 forwards purchase orders for
items to a primary server within the web commerce server system for
processing.
[0034] Business-to-business setup 412 is employed to provide for
the setup of catalog items, negotiating of terms and conditions for
purchasing items setup in the catalog, selection of a
method/protocol for buyers to connect and purchase items from the
catalog, establish operational items, and setting up a site for the
catalog. In these examples, a user may "meta-shop" or select items
from catalog 410, which is a base, general, or public catalog. Upon
a request from a user, the items placed in the shopping cart
through these selections are used to generate customized catalog
414. Various terms and conditions also may be associated with
customized catalog 414. Further, customized catalog 414 may also be
sent to a user for use locally by the user.
[0035] The components shown in FIG. 4 are for illustrative purposes
and not meant as limitations to the implementation of the present
invention. Other components may be used in addition to or in place
of the illustrated components for providing web commerce
services.
[0036] Turning next to FIG. 5, a flowchart of a process used for
setting up a catalog for business-to-business transaction is
depicted in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present
invention. The process illustrated in FIG. 5 may be implemented in
business-to-business setup 412 in FIG. 4.
[0037] The process begins with meta-shopping (step 500). In setting
up a catalog of items for a buying organization, the idea of a
"meta-shopping cart" is used. The selling organization sets up an
on-line catalog as typically found on Web sites today. A buying
organization or entity "meta-shops" at the site selecting items.
The items, however, are not items that are to be bought at the
present time, but rather items that the entity may be interested in
potentially buying at a later time. This type of shopping is
referred to as "meta-" shopping. The items selected by the user are
stored in the meta-shopping cart. This cart contains items that the
user selects for possible future purchases by the entity
represented by the user. The user can select broad classes of items
for inclusion in the meta-shopping cart, for example, all laptop
computers available in the general catalog. When the user is
finished, a meta-buy button may be selected to initiate a function
to create a private catalog. In the depicted examples, the user is
prompted for information about the organization, an organization
i.d., a password, and other information, which is used to set up
and control access to the catalog for the entity. The catalog is
then populated with the items placed in the meta-shopping cart.
Default prices from the base catalog are associated with the items
in the private catalog.
[0038] Next, terms and conditions are negotiated (step 502). After
the catalog setup, then the user may negotiate terms and conditions
for purchasing items set up in the catalog. The catalog is set up
with default terms and conditions including base prices, delivery
times, associated volumes, locations served, order cancellation
periods, returns, and any associated penalty, payment methods and
terms, and other contractual terms and conditions.
[0039] The method or protocol by which a buyer connects and orders
items from the catalog at the seller's site is negotiated (step
504). In these examples, the default method is to provide for
shopping directly from the seller's site from the catalog. Other
methods that may be used include, for example, protocols such as
Ariba's punchout, which is a remote catalog process, Open Buying on
the Internet (OBI) protocol, Open Catalog Interface (OCI), or any
other protocol that may be employed for facilitating transactions.
Selection of the protocol typically requires specification of
related items, such as universal resource locators (URLs),
certificate information, and other items that may be used for
establishing a connection. After this step is completed, the user
completes selection of the protocol for shopping and ordering at
the seller's site.
[0040] Then, operational items are negotiated (step 506). These
operational items include service level agreements for buying under
the terms agreed to in the steps described above. These agreements
include items, such as seller's site response time, availability of
items, contacts for problems, errors, non-delivery, and other
related items. In these examples, the representative for the entity
may agree to default operational terms, select from selectable
items, or negotiate specific items. At the end of this step, each
party either electronically signs the agreement or papers for the
agreement are exchanged and signed.
[0041] The site is then configured (step 508). The setting up of
the site in step 508 involves setting up the site according to the
terms of the agreement reached in the steps described above. Next,
the business-to-business shopping process is executed (step 510).
After the site is set up, the entity is notified that the catalog
is up and ready for receiving purchase orders. Selected users from
the entity then shop and place orders from the private catalog,
using the protocol thus established. At any point thereafter, a
determination is made as to whether to re-negotiate (step 512). If
re-negotiating will not take place, a determination is made as to
whether to terminate (step 514) with the process terminating
thereafter if so.
[0042] With reference again to step 512, if re-negotiating will
occur, the process returns to step 500. Turning back to step 514,
if the process will not terminate, the process returns to step
510.
[0043] Turning next to FIG. 6, a flowchart of a process used for
creating a customized catalog is depicted in accordance with a
preferred embodiment of the present invention. The process
illustrated in FIG. 6 may be implemented in business-to-business
setup 412 in FIG. 4.
[0044] The process begins by browsing and selecting catalog items
(step 600). These items are selected from a base or publicly
available catalog. This catalog contains items that normally may be
purchased from the entity providing items for purchase. Next, items
are added to meta-shopping cart (step 602). A determination is made
as to whether meta-shopping is finished (step 604). If
meta-shopping is finished, user access information is retrieved
(step 606). A private or customized catalog is created and
populated with meta-shopping-cart items, prices and access controls
are defaulted with user access information (step 608) with the
process terminating thereafter.
[0045] With reference again to step 604, if meta-shopping is not
finished, the process returns to step 600.
[0046] Turning next to FIG. 7, a flowchart of a process used for
negotiating terms and conditions for the business-to-business
relationship is depicted in accordance with a preferred embodiment
of the present invention. The process illustrated in FIG. 7 may be
implemented in business-to-business setup 412 in FIG. 4.
[0047] The process begins by presenting default negotiate terms and
conditions (step 700). Next, a determination is made as to whether
the default prices and terms are acceptable (step 702). If the
default prices and terms are not acceptable, items are selected
from the customized catalog by the user for negotiation, and these
selected items to negotiate are received by the seller (step 704).
Then, a bid is received from the user for the item (step 706). A
determination is then made as to whether any additional items are
present to negotiate (step 708). If there are not any additional
items to negotiate, the bid or counterbid complete is submitted and
a response is generated (step 710). This response may be generated
by a program, for example, using rules for volume and price, or may
be generated by a person using a workflow system, who examines the
bids and generates a response. The response is then sent to the
user (step 712). A determination is made as to whether the response
is acceptable to the user (step 714). If the response is
acceptable, the bid is accepted (step 716). Then, a determination
is made as to whether there are any additional items to negotiate
(step 718). If there are no additional items to negotiate, the
process terminates.
[0048] With reference again to step 702, if the default prices and
terms are acceptable, the process terminates. Turning back to step
708, if additional items are present to negotiate, the process
returns to step 704. With reference again to step 714, if the
response is not acceptable, a determination is made as to whether
to counterbid (step 720). If a counterbid is made, the process
returns to step 710. If a counterbid is not made, the process
returns to step 716
[0049] Thus, the present invention provides an improved method,
apparatus, and computer implemented instructions for setting up a
customized catalog and establishing a mechanism for
business-to-business transactions. In addition to the particular
implementation described above, additional features and variations
may be made. For example, in meta-buying items as described above,
in addition to populating a catalog at the seller's site for the
user, meta-shopping cart items may be assembled in a message and
sent back to the user. This meta-shopping cart may be converted
into an eXtensible Markup Language (XML) based format and returned
to the user in a hidden field. The user may post the meta-shopping
cart results to a local catalog application at the buyer's site to
populate a local private catalog with these items.
[0050] Further, the user may meta-shop at multiple remote sites and
create a local catalog that is comprised of selected items from
different selling sites. Orders placed on items from the local
catalog may then be formatted into purchase orders in an XML format
and sent to corresponding selling entities.
[0051] As a further variation on the mechanism of the present
invention, meta-shopping cart items may be assembled in an XML
message and returned to the user. The user then posts this
meta-shopping cart to a local catalog application, such as a
catalog application on a workstation or personal digital assistant.
The browsing and ordering from the catalog may be performed locally
and possibly when disconnected from the network. When the user
reconnects to the network, the order is then sent to the server
using the negotiated protocol as described above.
[0052] It is important to note that while the present invention has
been described in the context of a fully functioning data
processing system, those of ordinary skill in the art will
appreciate that the processes of the present invention are capable
of being distributed in the form of a computer readable medium of
instructions and a variety of forms and that the present invention
applies equally regardless of the particular type of signal bearing
media actually used to carry out the distribution. Examples of
computer readable media include recordable-type media, such as a
floppy disk, a hard disk drive, a RAM, CD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs, and
transmission-type media, such as digital and analog communications
links, wired or wireless communications links using transmission
forms, such as, for example, radio frequency and light wave
transmissions. The computer readable media may take the form of
coded formats that are decoded for actual use in a particular data
processing system.
[0053] The description of the present invention has been presented
for purposes of illustration and description, and is not intended
to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed.
Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of
ordinary skill in the art. Although the depicted illustrations show
the mechanism of the present invention embodied on a single server,
this mechanism may be distributed through multiple data processing
systems. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best
explain the principles of the invention, the practical application,
and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the
invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are
suited to the particular use contemplated.
* * * * *