Universal protocol for enabling a device to discover and utilize the services of another device
Patent 6952715 Issued on October 4, 2005. Estimated Expiration Date: December 12, 2023. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.
709/203, Client/server709/200, MISCELLANEOUS709/219, Accessing a remote server709/237, Computer-to-computer handshaking719/319, DATA TRANSFER BETWEEN OPERATING SYSTEMS719/320, HIGH LEVEL APPLICATION CONTROL719/313, INTERPROGRAM COMMUNICATION USING MESSAGE709/227, COMPUTER-TO-COMPUTER SESSION/CONNECTION ESTABLISHING709/223, COMPUTER NETWORK MANAGING709/217, REMOTE DATA ACCESSING707/103R, Object-oriented database structure709/218, Using interconnected networks707/4, Query formulation, input preparation, or translation370/252, Determination of communication parameters709/221, Reconfiguring709/226, Network resource allocating370/401, Bridge or gateway between networks719/330, REMOTE PROCEDURE CALL (RPC)707/10, Distributed or remote access709/220, NETWORK COMPUTER CONFIGURING709/250, NETWORK-TO-COMPUTER INTERFACING709/231, Computer-to-computer data streaming719/327, Device driver configuration700/1GENERIC CONTROL SYSTEM, APPARATUS OR PROCESS
A method and apparatus for enabling any of a variety of devices to communicate with each other over a common or universal protocol. In general, a client device and a server device communicate with each other over a communications link utilizes the common protocol. Initially, once a communications link is established, the server device identifies itself to the client device by sending a tag line message over the communications link. Upon receiving the tag line message, the client then determines that the server is capable of using the common protocol. The client device may then initiate several requests including a service request, a type request or a use request. If the client device initiates a service request, the client simple uses the common protocol to request the service. In response to receiving the service request, the server device performs the requested service and provides a confirmation to the client device. If the client device initiates a type request, the service device will respond by providing information regarding the services the server device provides and the device types supported by the server device. If the client device initiates a use request for a particular service, the server device will provide information to the client device that describes the necessary parameters for invoking the particular service.
Other References
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/369,114, Kronz, filed Aug. 5, 1999.
Cisco Systems Inc., “Configuring CDP,” Mar. 30, 1999, retrieved Nov. 9, 2004 from cisco.com/univercd./cc/td/doc/product/lan/cat5000/rel_4_5/config/cdp.htm, 4 pages.
December 12, 2023. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.
