System for distributed task execution

Abstract

Tasks can be done on a network of multiple computers interconnected by communication links. At each of the computers, Knowbot programs may be received and transmitted on the communication links, and may be stored and created; and execution of the tasks associated with the Knowbot programs may be advanced. Each Knowbot program includes a globally unique identifier; navigation information defining a route through the network; and information concerning a task to be done. Knowbot programs may interact with each other and with other network resources. Authenticated Knowbot service stations and Couriers may be used to protect data as well as control its application in the network environment according to stated terms and conditions.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for enabling tasks to be done on a network of multiple computers interconnected by communication links, comprising, at each of the computers 
 receiving Knowbot programs on the communication links, each Knowbot program including a globally unique identifier; navigation information defining a route through the network; and information concerning a task to be done,    advancing the execution of the tasks associated with the Knowbot programs,    storing Knowbot programs,    creating Knowbot programs, and    transmitting Knowbot programs on the communication links.    
     
     
         2 . A method for enabling a computer on a network of multiple computers interconnected by communication links to participate in a distributed Knowbot service environment, comprising, at the computer 
 receiving Knowbot programs on the communication links, each Knowbot program including a globally unique identifier; navigation information defining a route through the network; and information concerning a task to be done,    advancing the execution of the tasks associated with the Knowbot programs,    storing Knowbot programs,    creating Knowbot programs, and    transmitting Knowbot programs on the communication links.    
     
     
         3 . A computer-based method for carrying out tasks comprising interconnecting independent and heterogenous systems for the purpose of carrying out the collaborative tasks.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  or  2  further comprising 
 interacting with a participant at the computer to enable the participant to define the task to be executed, and  
 embedding information related to the defined task in one of the Knowbot programs.  
 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the participant comprises a person.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the participant comprises a process running on a computer.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 4  wherein the participant comprises a Knowbot program running on a computer.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  or  2  further comprising, at the computer, interpreting task information contained in Knowbot programs.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  or  2  wherein the step of advancing the execution of tasks includes interacting with repositories of digital objects.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1  or  2  wherein the step of advancing the execution of a task includes querying a database of information or other data.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  or  2  wherein the information concerning a task to be done includes interpretable or executable instructions.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1  or  2  wherein the step of advancing the execution of a task includes applying stored expert knowledge.  
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1  or  2  wherein the Knowbot program also contains data in the form of a digital object.  
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13  wherein the digital object includes protocol transformation information.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1  or  2  wherein the step of advancing the execution of a task includes protocol transformation.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1  or  2  wherein the step of advancing the execution of a task includes providing a directory service identifying other locations which provide services related to the task.  
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1  or  2  wherein the step of advancing the execution of a task includes making a security determination.  
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 1  or  2  wherein the step of advancing execution of a task includes providing a “what's new” service.  
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1  or  2  wherein the step of advancing execution of a task includes providing a “clipping” or “abstracting” service.  
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1  or  2  wherein the step of advancing execution of a task includes providing a version control service for managing versions of the Knowbot program.  
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 1  or  2  wherein the step of advancing execution of a task includes determining the structure of a Knowbot program and for accessing its elements.  
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 1  or  2  wherein the step of advancing execution of a task includes responding to actions of a user by obtaining execution of the task at another location without indicating to the user that the execution occurred at the other location.  
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 1  or  2  wherein the step of advancing execution of a task includes creating a derivative work from an existing work.  
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 1  or  2  wherein the step of advancing execution of a task includes generating another Knowbot program.  
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 1  or  2  wherein the step of advancing execution of a task includes passing a message from a source Knowbot program to a target Knowbot program at the same location or at a different location.  
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 25  wherein the same message is passed to multiple Knowbot programs.  
     
     
         27 . A method for executing a local query of a remote database via a communication channel of a network where the local query complies with a query protocol and the remote database is responsive to queries which comply with a database protocol, comprising 
 locally generating a Knowbot program which is based on the local query and complies with a Knowbot program protocol,    sending the Knowbot program to the remote database via the communication channel of the network,    at the remote database, responding to the Knowbot program by querying the database in accordance with the database protocol, and    returning the results of the query from the remote database within a return Knowbot program which complies with the Knowbot program protocol.    
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 27  further comprising 
 locally receiving the return Knowbot program, and  
 providing results to a user based on the results contained within the return Knowbot program.  
 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 27  further comprising 
 generating additional Knowbot programs which are based on the local query and comply with the Knowbot program protocol,  
 sending each of the additional Knowbot programs to another database, and  
 at each of the other databases, responding to the corresponding Knowbot programs by querying the other database, and  
 returning the results of the query from each of the other databases within a return Knowbot program which complies with the Knowbot program protocol.  
 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 27  further comprising 
 locally receiving the return Knowbot programs, and  
 processing the results contained within the return Knowbot programs to provide a consistent presentation to a user.  
 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 30  wherein the consistent presentation to the user is updated as additional return Knowbot programs are received.  
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 30  wherein the processing includes removing redundant information.  
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 27  wherein the return Knowbot program is a modified version of the original Knowbot program.  
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 27  wherein the additional Knowbot programs are generated locally and sent via communication channels of the network.  
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 27  wherein additional Knowbot programs are sent locally and where return Knowbot programs corresponding to the original Knowbot program are received locally.  
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 27  wherein the query protocol comprises a displayed form, completed by a user.  
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 27  wherein the Knowbot program protocol differs from the query protocol and from the database protocol.  
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 27  wherein the Knowbot program protocol comprises the syntax of an executable interpretive programming language.  
     
     
         39 . The method of  claim 27  wherein the Knowbot program comprises an executable interpretive programming language entry and a navigational portion.  
     
     
         40 . The method of  claim 39  wherein the Knowbot program reaches the remote database site by navigating the network, and wherein the navigational portion of the message comprises information related to the navigating.  
     
     
         41 . The method of  claim 27  further comprising at the remote database site sending a status Knowbot program indicating the status of execution of the query.  
     
     
         42 . The method of  claim 27  further comprising 
 at the remote database, executing the Knowbot program to determine an appropriate database query, storing the Knowbot program during the querying of the database and controlling the querying of the database and the returning of the results based on control information contained in the Knowbot program.  
 
     
     
         43 . The method of  claim 27  further comprising 
 locally using a Knowbot service station to create, send, receive, and delete Knowbot programs.  
 
     
     
         44 . The method of  claim 27  further comprising 
 at the remote database site, using a Knowbot service station to create, send, receive, control, process, and delete Knowbot programs.  
 
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 27  further comprising 
 locally and automatically selecting the remote database to which the Knowbot program will be sent based on the local query.  
 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 27  wherein sending the Knowbot program includes conforming the Knowbot program to an electronic mail protocol or a file transfer protocol or other communication method on the network.  
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 27  further comprising 
 including in the Knowbot program protocol transformation information.  
 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 1  or  2  wherein the Knowbot programs further include authentication information.  
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 1  or  2  wherein the Knowbot programs further include scheduling information.  
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 1  or  2  wherein the Knowbot programs further include payment information.  
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 1  or  2  wherein the Knowbot is persistent.  
     
     
         52 . Apparatus for enabling tasks to be done on a network of multiple computers interconnected by communication links, comprising 
 a Knowbot service environment including, at each of the computers on the network, a Knowbot service station in the form of software running on a computer, the service station providing services which include 
 receiving Knowbot programs on the communication links, each Knowbot program including a globally unique identifier; navigation information defining a route through the network; and information concerning a task to be done,  
 advancing the execution of the tasks associated with the Knowbot programs,  
 storing Knowbot programs,  
 creating Knowbot programs, and  
 transmitting Knowbot programs on the communication links.  
   
     
     
         53 . Apparatus for enabling a computer in a network of multiple computers interconnected by communication links to participate in a distributed Knowbot service environment, comprising 
 a Knowbot service station in the form of software running on a computer, the service station providing services which include 
 authenticating itself  
 authenticating Knowbot couriers received from other Knowbot service stations  
 receiving Knowbot programs on the communication links, each Knowbot program including a globally unique identifier; navigation information defining a route through the network; and information concerning a task to be done,  
 advancing the execution of the tasks associated with the Knowbot programs,  
 storing Knowbot programs,  
 creating Knowbot programs, and  
 transmitting Knowbot programs on the communication links.  
   
     
     
         54 . A method for executing a local query of a remote knowledge-based system via a communication channel of a network where the local query complies with a query protocol and the remote knowledge-based system is responsive to queries which comply with a knowledge-based system protocol, comprising 
 locally generating a Knowbot program which is based on the local query and complies with a Knowbot program protocol,    sending the Knowbot program to the remote knowledge-based system via the communication channel of the network,    at the remote knowledge-based system, responding to the Knowbot program by querying the knowledge-based system in accordance with the knowledge-based system protocol, and    returning the results of the query from the remote database within a return Knowbot program which complies with the Knowbot program protocol.    
     
     
         55 . A method for retrieving a digital object from a remote system, in which 
 the remote system embeds the object in a Knowbot program,    the Knowbot program is sent to the local system, where it is stored,    the local participant accesses the digital object via the Knowbot program,    the Knowbot program restricts access to portions of the object, requiring additional authorization and/or payment for access to the object, and the object's owner is notified as actions are performed on the object.