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NCR Sues Netscape For Patent Infringement
cswiii writes "C|Net has this story about NCR suing Netscape over nine patents said to be infringed. " NCR is suing over nine patent infringements for "organizing and retrieving information from computer databases". We'll update this story as more details come out.
Remote collaboration among host computer running host program and remote computers each running application program
The invention concerns using multiple computers to hold a conference. Under the invention, an application program can run on a single computer, yet remote participants can issue commands to the program. Remote participants can watch the program operate, because the invention replicates the display window of the running program onto the displays of the remote computers. Any participant can make annotations on the participant's own computer display. The invention copies the annotations to the displays of the other participants.
This looks like a general patent on client-server computing. Considering that this patent is dated April 2, 1997 (Granted July 13, 1999), Isn't there a lot of prior art?
Method and apparatus for providing shared data to a requesting client
A method and apparatus for providing object data stored in a database management system to a receiving client. The method comprises the steps of receiving a database query from the client on a first communication path, transforming the database query into database management system commands, transmitting the database management system commands to the database management system, receiving a response from the database management system, the response comprising an object locator identifying data responsive to the database query, compiling an answer set comprising the database management system response, transmitting the answer set to the client on the first communications path, receiving a data request from the client comprising the media object locator, establishing a transport session with the client on a second communication path, and transmitting data identified by the media object locator to the client on the second communication path.
This sounds like any site with a database powered back-end infringes.
Method and apparatus for extending a database management system to operate with diverse object servers
A method and apparatus for extending a database management system to operate with diverse object servers. The apparatus comprises a federated coordinator for accepting client commands and translating client commands into relational database commands and object server commands, a plurality of object servers coupled to the federated coordinator, each object server for storing and retrieving data objects identified by object data surrogates in response to the object server commands from the federated coordinator, and a relational database management system coupled to the federated coordinator for storing and retrieving object data surrogates and for transforming relational database commands into an answer set comprising an answer set data surrogate.
Not sure, but this sounds like load-balancing on the aforementioned database-driven web site.
Method and apparatus for extending existing database management system for new data types
A method and apparatus for extending a relational database management system performed by a computer to manage object data stored in an object server having a processor and a data storage device. The method comprises the steps of receiving a database command including a store command and object data from a client at a federated coordinator, generating a data surrogate unique to the object data, associating the data surrogate with the object data, and storing the data surrogate and the object data in the data storage device in the object server.
MIME types?
Annotation of computer video displays
A system in which multiple computers engage in a collaborative video conference. One computer generates a common image which is distributed to the other computers. The invention allows the users of the other computers to annotate (that is, mark up, bydrawings and text) the image at their respective computers. The invention replicates the annotations at the other computers. One type of annotation allowed is "highlighting," wherein a user drags a cursor across a display, and the invention leaves a colored trail behind the cursor, which is transparent, and does not obscure the underlying images.
Document Sharing? "Whiteboard" technology? Heck, it even sounds like VNC might violate this one.
Targeting advertising in a home retail banking delivery service
A practical system and method for the remote distribution of financial services (e.g., home banking and bill-paying) involves distributing portable terminals to a user base. The terminals include a multi-line display, keys "pointing to" lines on the display, and additional keys. Contact is established between the terminals and a central computer operated by a service provider, preferably over a dial-up telephone line and a packet data network. Information exchange between the central computer and the terminal solicits information from the terminal user related to requested financial services (e.g., for billpaying, the user provides payee selection and amount and his bank account PIN number). The central computer then transmits a message over a conventional ATM network debiting the user's bank account in real time, and may pay the specified payees the specified amount electronically or in other ways as appropriate. Payments and transfers may be scheduled in advance or on a periodic basis. Because the central computer interacts with the user's bank as a standard POS or ATM network node, no significant software changes are required at the banks' computers. The terminal interface is extremely user-friendly and incorporates some features of standard ATM user interfaces so as to reduce new user anxiety.
If netscape has anny "virtual ATM" deals that they have set up with banks, then this might infringe. but wouldn't IE infringe also?
Just my own comment: These were all granted within the past three months. The certainly didn't waste much time. I wonder if AOL's new arrangement with Netscape encouraged this little venture.
But if this patent is related to other Netscape products, what else could it be? Everything Netscape makes that I can think of has been done already - from web servers to commerce products. I don't understand why they're being singled out.
(hopefully this post won't get lost :)
Ita erat quando hic adveni.
Henson Productions has recently announced their intention to bring suit against Netscape for using the letter N as a logo. Henson lawyers have stated that the letter N has repeatedly been used to promote Sesame Street, and is therefore considered a trademark.
Henson lawyers went on to announce their ongoing partnership with Microsoft, regarding their innovative usage of the letter E to promote Internet Explorer. While the letter E has been used to promote Sesame Street as well, Henson Productions legal staff claims no intention of seeking damages from Microsoft, citing that E is a vowel and as such is more easily licensed to other parties. When questioned if this decision had anything to do with the $1billion donation from Bill Gates to the Henson Foundation, the lawyers replied with "no comment".
In other news, the head executives of A.O.L. have resigned for undisclosed reasons.
-- What you do today will cost you a day of your life.
Seven of the nine (yes, I get it) patents could be:
United States Patent 5,748,188
Hu , et al. May 5, 1998
Hypertext markup language (HTML) extensions for graphical reporting over an internet
Abstract
A hypertext data processing system wherein graphical data is sent from a server to a client computer using extensions to the Hypertext Markup Language (HTML). The client computer parses the graphical data and formulates an object representative of the graph to display. The object is passed to a graph server which displays the graph.
By the wording, it seems that any browser which accepts a graphic which represents a graph is in violation of the patent. If my memory serves, graphics were being used prior to May 5, 1998
United States Patent 5,951,652
Ingrassia, Jr. , et al. September 14, 1999
Dependable data element synchronization mechanism
Abstract
Described is a mechanism for dependably synchronizing data element activities on web pages among a group of browsers. The web browsers retrieve web pages from an HTTP server. Each of the web pages contains at least one data element and embeds a Master Applet and at least one DTS Applet (DTS stands for data tracking and synchronization). In response the data element activities (such as entering data into a data field) performed at a browser, the DTS Applet passes the activities to the Master Applet, which in turn reports the activities (together with the URL of the web page on which the data element activities have occurred) to a tracking server. The tracking server sends the activity report (together with the URL of the web page on which the data element activities have occurred) to the Master Applets at all participant browsers. The participant Master Applets then instruct their respective DTS Applets to display the data element activities on the web page identified by the URL.
This one mentions http and the word applet so I'm sure they are suing for violation of this one. Netscape uses Last-modified for "element syncronization" but I don't think that this patent would cover that. I'm not sure how broad "Master Applet" can be.
United States Patent 5,951,643
Shelton , et al. September 14, 1999
Mechanism for dependably organizing and managing information for web synchronization and tracking among multiple browsers
Abstract
Described is a mechanism for dependably organizing and managing information for web synchronization and tracking among multiple consumer browsers. A session is created for each of one of the consumer browsers when an individual consumer downloads an initial web page from an HTTP server. A unique ID is assigned to that session. After the session has been created for an individual browser, the information about the all activities from that consumer browser will be recorded into the session. Such a mechanism overcomes the difficulty to organize and manage the activities from the multiple consumer browsers that are in stateless nature.
Any server which sends a cookie to the browser to track the browser's activity is in violation of this. I'm sure this has been done prior to September 14, 1999
United States Patent 5,941,957
Ingrassia, Jr. , et al. August 24, 1999
Dependable web page synchronization mechanism (As opposed to undependable web page synchronization?)
Abstract Described is a mechanism for dependably synchronizing web pages among a group of browsers. Each of the web page embeds an applet. In response the activities (such as loading or unloading of a web page) performed at a browser, the applet reports activities (together with the URL of the web page) to a page synchronizing server, which in turn relays the activities (together with the URL) to all participant browsers. The participant browsers can load and unload the web page according to the report of the activities.
Any browser that is capable of running an IRC applet would seem to be in violation of this patent since the IRC server relays the activities to all browsers running the applet. Again, IRC applets have been in use prior to August 24, 1999.
United States Patent 5,870,746
Knutson , et al. February 9, 1999
System and method for segmenting a database based upon data attributes
Abstract
A system and method for allowing a user to segment and partition a database based upon attributes associated with the data in the database. Also, a system and method for generating a report for a user which allows the user to make decisions, without requiring the user to understand or interpret data itself. A database computer includes a database containing the data. The data includes a collection of information about an enterprise of the user. A server computer is coupled to the database computer and executes a database management program. A client computer is coupled to the server and executes an application program. The application program allows a user to define predetermined data types, to define relationships between the data types, to define parameters for the report, to define a method of analysis for the report, and to create the report. The report summarizes the data in terms of the data types, the data relationships, and the method of analysis.
Several things strike me as potential infringements. First, my netscape cache directory is partitioned into a bunch of directories (00, 01, etc.), depending on the definition of database, this could be a partitioning of a database. Second, a user can click on a link to have a browser create a "report" based on the html that it receives, the user need not understand html himself.
United States Patent 5,721,903
Anand , et al. February 24, 1998
System and method for generating reports from a computer database
Abstract
A system and method for generating a report for a user which allows the user to make decisions, without requiring the user to understand or interpret data itself. A database management program executed by a server within a system for generating the report for the user includes a first subsystem for translating user requests for data, for generating dimensional queries for retrieving data from a database, and for processing user modifications to data types used in generating the report. A second subsystem coupled to the first subsystem reads data from the database, creates the data types, creates a mapping of the data types to the data, uses the mapping to translate user-initiated dimensional queries received from the first subsystem into Structured Query Language (SQL), and returns query results to the first subsystem. A third subsystem creates the report at a predetermined time.
A browser allows users to make decisions without understanding the data by allowing users to click a link without understanding html
United States Patent 5,710,900
Anand , et al. January 20, 1998
System and method for generating reports from a computer database (Hmmm, this looks familiar)
Abstract
A system and method for generating a report for a user which allows the user to make decisions, without requiring the user to understand or interpret data itself. An application within the system includes a graphical user interface (GUI) which allows the user to select and specify the parameters for the report, display the report, print the report, and save the report. A folder management subsystem allows the user to create a folder object for storing the report within the database, store the report within the folder object, and retrieve the report from the folder object using the GUI. A business information setup subsystem allows the user to create data types and create and constrain relationships between the data types. An analyst definition subsystem allows the user to select an analyst representing a method of analysis to use in generating the report using the GUI. Finally, a viewer module displays the report.
This seems the same as the last one, but the application neeeds a GUI to infringe on this one. Lynx is safe, rejoice!
I work for NCR and I think that I can shed some light on the thought process behind the lawsuit and NCR's position in all of this.
Before I begin, let me say that I am not speaking for my employer in any way. These comments are merely those of one who is familiar with the company and it's goals.
NCR is a 100+ year old company, and started out making cash registers (National Cash Register). NCR moved into making electronic cash registers, then ATM's and point of sale equipment, with NCR servers providing back end support. NCR realized that services and software were the most profitable sections of the company, and is now positioning themselves to be a solutions company, with Data Warehousing being emphasized above everything else. NCR currently outsources most hardware manufacturing to other companies.
NCR is counting on their Teradata product line to move the company ahead into the year 2000. Databases and solutions to make those databases work with other systems (ATM's, point of sale equipment, etc) are now the focus of the business. The patent infringement was probably with a Netscape server product that accesses some sort of back end database. NCR could care less about the browser. Since NCR's database products are the key to the business, NCR is trying to protect them as much as possible.
After all, if it was just the browser, wouldn't NCR go after Microsoft as well?