This is the generic class for data processing apparatus and corresponding methods for the retrieval of data stored in a database or as computer files.
This class provides for data processing means or steps for organizing and inter-relating data or files (e.g., relational, network, hierarchical, and entity-relationship models).
This class also provides for data processing means or steps for generic data, file and directory upkeeping, file naming, and file and database maintenance including integrity consideration, recovery, and versioning.
This class additionally provides for data processing means or steps wherein human perceptible elements of electronic information (i.e. text or s:graphics) are gathered, associated, created, formatted, edited, prepared, or otherwise processed in forming a unified collection of such information storable as a distinct entity.
Class 707 is structured into five main divisions:
A. Database and file accessing.
B. Database schema and data structure.
C. File and database maintenance.
D. Document processing. E. Cross-Reference Art Collections.
See Subclass References to the Current Class, below, for the location of subclasses within these five main divisions.
RELATIONSHIP WITH OTHER CLASSES
A. Database And File Accessing
(1) Note. This class is directed to computerized database and file accessing and retrieval, including hierarchical, bit-mapped and flat indexing, hashing, stapling, containerizing, and other methods. Accessing and control of a memory, per se, is classified elsewhere. See the search class notes in References to Other Classes, below.
(2) Note. The combination of details of database technology with the business data processing is classified in the business art. See search class notes in References to Other Classes, below.
(3) Note. The combination of details of database technology with a nominal recitation of the subject matter of another class is classified herein. Particular fields of use of database technology performing in combination with the basic subject matter of another class to effect some end other than mere information accessing or retrieval, is classified with the subject matter of the other class, unless specifically excluded therefrom. See the search class notes in References to Other Classes, below.
(4) Note. This class is directed to generic methods and apparatus for accessing and retrieving data housed in either databases or files. The generic steps to access and retrieve an object from an object-oriented database may be properly classified herein; however, objects themselves for an application other than database accessing and retrieving data, such as, for example an operator interface object, an icon object capable of instantiating a process, or a simulation system physical structure object are classified elsewhere. See the search class notes in References to Other Classes, below.
(5) Note. This class is directed to generic methods and apparatus for accessing and retrieving data housed in either databases or files. The generic steps of accessing and retrieving data or information in a particular computer design "environment" may be properly classified herein. Examples of such "environments" include, for example, a computer aided design (CAD) and analysis tool "environment", a software development tool "environment", an image processing "environment", a desk-top or other operator interface "environment", etc., may rely on accessing and retrieving information or routines from libraries while working in the "environment". The "environments" themselves are classified elsewhere in the data processing arts. See the search class notes in References to Other Classes, below.
(6) Note. The combination of a database accessing method with a particular operator interface feature may be found in these subclasses. Operator interfaces, per se, are classified elsewhere. See the search class notes in References to Other Classes, below. B. Database Schema And Data Structures
(1) Note. Classification herein requires a combination of a data structure and the access or retrieval method, or apparatus for employing or storing the data structure.
C. File And Database Maintenance
(1) Note. This class is directed to means and steps for handling of generic files and databases only in computers and digital data processing systems. For the purpose of these definitions a generic file is defined as a named collection of data. File content and database content authoring, generating, producing, and editing in information processing applications art areas, such as, for example, business data processing machine translation, s:graphics processing, simulation, animation and software development, is classified elsewhere.
(2) Note. This class is directed to management and maintenance of files and databases in computers and digital data processing systems and accepts subject solutions working within single memories and across multiple memories. Memory accessing and control and memory management, per se, is classified elsewhere.
(3) Note. This class is directed to management and maintenance of files and databases in computers and digital data processing systems and accepts only nominal recitations to operator interfaces, icons, and other metaphors used in the maintenance of files and databases. File management tools, metaphors, or objects with significant operator interface features are classified elsewhere.
(4) Note. Formatting and file allocation in memory systems, such as direct access storage systems, is generally found in the art area directed to the storage system device.
SEE OR SEARCH THIS CLASS, SUBCLASS:
1+, for database and file accessing.
100+, for database schema and data structure.
200+, for file and database maintenance.
500+, for document processing. 900+, for Cross-Reference Art Collections.
REFERENCES TO OTHER CLASSES
SEE OR SEARCH CLASS
128, Surgery,
630+, for diagnostic testing and appropriate subclasses for applications of computers in the life sciences including patient monitoring and medical imaging.
235, Registers, various subclasses for basic machines and associated indicating mechanisms for ascertaining the number of movements of various devices and machines, plus machines made from these basic machines alone (e.g., cash registers, voting machines), and in combination with various perfecting features, such as printers and recording means. In addition, search Class 235 for various data bearing record controlled systems.
326+, for operator interfaces, subclasses 418+ for computer s:graphics processing and particularly subclass 302 for synchronization of diverse media, subclasses 1 through 111 for visual display systems with selective electrical control including display memory organization and structure for storing image data and manipulating image data between a display memory and display device.
358, Facsimile, appropriate subclasses for transmitting, processing, or reproducing a permanent picture.
364, Electrical Computers and Data Processing Systems,
130+, for data processing control systems, and subclasses 400+ for applications of computers in various environments. 379, Telephonic Communications, various subclasses for two-way electrical communication of intelligible audio information of arbitrary content over a link including an electrical conductor.
381, Electrical Audio Signal Processing Systems and Devices, various subclasses for wired one-way audio systems, per se.
382, Image Analysis, various subclasses for operations performed on image data with the aim of measuring a characteristic of an image, detecting variations, detecting structures, or transforming the image data, and for procedures for analyzing and categorizing patterns present in image data.
395, Information Processing System Organization,
500.24+, for simulation, and subclasses 701+ for software development tool.
702, Data Processing, Measuring, Calibrating, or Testing appropriate subclasses for the application of computers in measuring and testing.
704, Data Processing - Speech Signal Processing, Linguistics, Language Translation, and Audio Compression/Decompression,
1+, for linguistics.
705, Data Processing - Financial, Business Practice, Management, or Cost/Price Determination, appropriate subclasses for business data processing.
706, Data Processing: Artificial Intelligence, appropriate subclasses for artificial intelligence in general.
708, Electrical Computers: Arithmetic Processing and Calculating, 1+, for hybrid computers, subclasses 100+ for calculators, digital signal processing and arithmetical processing, per se, and subclasses 800+ for electric analog computers.
711, Electrical Computers and Digital Processing Systems - Memory,
1, 5 for addressing particular memory configurations and systems, subclasses 100+ for memory accessing and control, per se, and in particular subclasses 113 for disk caching, subclasses 117+ for hierarchical memory, per se, subclasses 118+ for caching, subclasses 147+ for shared memory accessing and control, subclasses 154 through 166 for memory control, maintenance and management techniques, subclasses 161 and 162 for archiving and backup under memory accessing, subclasses 163+ for memory access limiting, subclasses 170+ for memory configuring and allocation, subclasses 200+ for address formation processing, and subclass 216 for address hashing.
GLOSSARY:
The terms below have been defined for purposes of classification in this class and are shown in underlined type when used in the class and subclass definitions. When these terms are not underlined in the definitions, the meaning is not restricted to the glossary definitions below.
ADDRESS DATA
Data that represent or identify a source or destination. (Also see Data)
COMPUTER:
A machine that inputs data, processes data, stores data, and outputs data.
DATA
Representation of information in a coded manner suitable for communication, interpretation, or processing. See Address Data, Instruction Data, Status Data, and User Data in this Glossary. DATABASE
A collection of data arranged for ease of storage, retrieval, updating, searching and sorting by computerized means.
FILE
A named collection of data.
DATA PROCESSING
See Processing, below.
DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING SYSTEM:
An arrangement of processor(s) in combination with either memory or peripherals, or both, performing data processing.
INFORMATION
Meaning that a human being assigns to data by means of the conventions applied to that data.
INSTRUCTION DATA
Data that represent an operation and identify its operands, if any. (Also see Data) MEMORY
A functional unit to which data can be stored and from which data can be retrieved.
PERIPHERAL
A functional unit that transmits data to or receives data from a computer to which it is coupled.
PROCESSING
Methods or apparatus performing systematic operations upon data or information exemplified by functions such as data or information transferring, merging, sorting, and calculating (i.e., arithmetic operations or logical operations).
(1) Note. In this class, the glossary term data is used to modify processing in the term data processing; whereas the term digital data processing system refers to a machine performing data processing.
(2) Note. In an effort to avoid redundant constructions, in this class, where appropriate, the term address data processing is used in place of address data data processing.
PROCESSOR
A functional unit that interprets and executes instruction data.
STATUS DATA Data that represent conditions of data, computers, peripherals, memory, etc. (Also see Data)
USER DATA
Data other than address data, instruction data, or status data. (Also see Data)