Gary W Herman

US Patent:

52300730, Jul 20, 1993

Filed:

Jun 6, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/363298

Inventors:

Eric J. Gausmann - Downers Grove IL
Kalwant S. Grewal - Washington Township, Morris County NJ
Gary E. Herman - South Orange NJ

Assignee:

Bell Communications Research, Inc. - Livingston NJ

International Classification:

G06F 1540

US Classification:

395600

Abstract:

A broadcast oriented architecture for a data storage access system is disclosed. The architecture permits the implementation of high capacity query intensive data bases for mass market public applications such as directory assistance systems. In the architecture, a record storage pump cyclically transmits the entire data base over a downstream channel formed from a transmission medium such as an optical fiber. Record retrieval elements located at different positions along the downstream channel read the entire data base during each cycle and pick out requested records from the data base. An upstream channel between the record retrieval elements and the record storage pump is used to transmit data base update information from the record retrieval elements to the record storage pump to provide each record retrieval element with a consistent view of the updated data base during subsequent data base broadcast cycles.