Title of Invention

"ELECTRONIC DOCUMENT REQUEST/SUPPLY METHOD BASED ON XML."

Abstract

There is provided a method for requesting an electronic document based on XML in which the electronic document is created using a syntax defining a structure of a constructed electronic document. The electronic document request method can include creating a request document including an element name/attribute name based on a previously prescribed syntax without defining an additional syntax for requesting the electronic document, requesting a supply of the electronic document having an information on the element name/attribute name recorded in the request document, and receiving the electronic document including the information on the requested element name/attribute name. FIG. 7

Full Text

NTRQUEST/SUPPLYMESODBASEDON X'ML, BACKGROUND.OF THE. INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [1] The present invention relates to an electronic document request/ supply method, and more particularly, to an XML-based electronic document request/supply method. 2. Background of the Related Art i [2] In recent years, an extensible markup language (hereinafter, -referred to as "XML") Is ."widely used to create electronic documents. The utilization .of XML increases . rapidly throughout the world, and government and public offices as well as general ,1 i enterprises are increasingly introducing the XML. These electronic documents are generally created on the basis of a syntax piesciibcd by each organisation. Specific languages have been provided for searching XML documents. [3] However, related ait methods for searching or requesting electronic documents have various disadvantages. In a related art method for requesting a supply of the electronic '.documents using these specific search languages, a user requesting the. electronic document should learn an additional search language and designate a structure of the XML document to be supplied as the search result. Accordingly, the related ait methods are ineffective to the user who wants to request and receive die electronic document created based on the previously designated syntax. [4) Further, in tase of using the document requested seopplied in the related an methods, the entire contents piovid' initially should be trahsinted because the is no method of subsequent or additional notifications of contents deleted because of a change of document contents or notifications of invalid contents. The above references are incoroqrated by reference herein where appropriate for appropriate teacllings of additional or alternative details, features and/or technical background. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [5] An object of the invention is to solve at least the related art problems and/or disadvantages and to provide nt least the advantages described hereinafter. [6J Another object of the present invention is to provide :an electronic documet request/supply method based on XML that substantially obviates one or more problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related ait. [7] Another object of the present invention to provide an electronic document request/supply method based on XML that teuieves an, XML-based electronic docuncnt according to a specific syntax. [SJ Another object of the present invention to provide an electronic document request/supply method b.iscd on XML in wluch the electronic documents are supplied using a previously prescribed syntax without learning or vising the syutax of additional langmages to request/supply the electronic document. [9] ' Another object of the present invention to provide an electronic document request/supply method based on XML in which an electronic document application system utilzed bya.requester requests a search.of the electionc document and precesses the the ctronic document supplied from an electronic document, tcpositoty using only a thethod or algorithm for processing a prescribed syntax. [10] Another object of the piesent invention is to provide an electronic, document upgrade method based on XML in which a transmission efficiency is unproved by., transmitting selected contents or indications to update a previously supplied document. [11] Another object of the present invention is to provide an electronic document upgrade method based ou XML in which a transmission efficiency is improved by Si* transmitting only deleted, invalid or not currently valid contents among contents of a previously supplied document and not transmitting an entire previously supplied or deleted document '• [12] To achieve at least the above-identified objects in a whole or in part according to the present invention, there is provided a method for requesting an electronic document based on XML, the electronic document being created vising a syntax defining a structure of the electronic document, the method including creating a request document including an . element name/attribute name based on a previously prescribed syntax without defining an . additional syntax for requesting the .electronic document, and requesting delivery of the electronic document having an information on the element name/attribute name recorded in the request document. [13] To further achieve at least the above-identified objects in a \vhole or hi part ** ' ' - according to the present invention, there is provided a method for supplying an electronic document based OH XML, the electronic document including values- of., clement name/attribute 'name contained in a request document, the icqucst document.being 'requested using a syntax defining a .structure of the constructed electronic document, the method including providing an element name/attribute name based on a previously defined syntax in the request document among required elements, optional elements, required attributes or optional attributes, and selectively providing an identifier information in the request document identifying an information on the element name/attribute name, wherein at least one electronic document diat is supplied is valid for the previously defined syntax and includes values of the element name/attribute name used in the request document, and wherein when the identifier information is provided the supplied electronic document satisfies the values of the element name/attribute name and an identifier value of the request ' document including a request information, [14] To further achieve at least the above-identified objects in a -whole or in part according to the present invention, there is provided a method for supplying, an electronic document based on XML using a syntax defining a sttucture of the electronic document, the method including supplying a document including an invalid element to delete subsequently invalid contents contained in a corresponding previously, supplied docurnent, wherein . deletion of predetermined contents of the corresponding docurnent is notified by adding to-, be-dolcucd contents to the invalid alnmn\t. , [15] To further achieve at lease the above-identified objects in a whole or in part • according to the present invention, there is provided a method for supplying an. electronic, document based on XML using a syntax defining a structure of the electronic document, the method including deleting of predetermined contents of a corresponding document by supplying.a subsequent document including an attribute identifying invalidity of die corresponding docmncnt to delete contents contained in the corresponding document. [16] Additional advantages, objects, and features of die invention will be set forth in prut in the description which lollows and in pint will become apparent to those having ordinary skill in the arc upon examination of the following or may be learned from practice of the invention. The objects and advantages'; of the invention may be realized and attained as pamcularlypoiatcd out in the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [17] The invention will be described in detail with jcfetence to. the following drawings in which.like reference numerals refer to like elements wherein: [18] HG. 1 is a schematic view of a related art dient/server structure that requests/supplies a general XML-based electronic document; [19] FIG. 2 is an exemplary view showing a syntax structuie of a broadcasting program produced by a related art method of creating an XML-based electronic document; [20] FIG. 3 is an exemplary view of a document type definition (DID) showing a syntax of a broadcasting progiam produced by a related ait method .of creating an XML-based electronic document.; [21] FIG. 4 is an exemplary view of an XML schema showing a syntax of a broadcasting program electronic document produced by a related art method of creating an XML-based electronic document; [22] FIGs. 5 and 6 are exemplary views of a broadcasting .program electronic document produced by a related ant method of creating an XML-based electronic document; [2VJ PIG. 7 is an. exemplary view of a request document requesting a supply of an electronic document created by a preferred embodiment of an XML-based electronic document request method according to the present invention; [24] FIG. 8 is an exemplary view of an electronic document supplied according to the request document of FIG, 7; [25] FIG. 9 is another exemplary view of a request document requesting a supply of an electronic document created by a preferred embodiment of an XML-based electronic document request method according to the present invention; [26] FIG.. iO is an exemplary view of an electronic document supplied according to the request document of FIG. 9; [27] FIG. 11 is an exemplary view of providing information on a deleted document by supplying a document, with an element name notifying an invalid document according to another preferred embodiment of an XML-based electionic document supply method accordingto the present invention; and [2S] PIG, 12 is an exemplary view of providing information, on a deleted document by supplying a document with an attribute name notifying an invalid document according to yet another preferred embodiment of an XML-based electronic document supply method according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OP PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [29] The XML-based electronic documents aie often managed in a clint/server structure that stores the documents in the server and provides desired electronic documents according to the user's request. Such a client/server structure is illustrated in FIG. 1. [30] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the client/server structure that requests/supplies a general XML-based electronic document, As shown in FIG. 1, the client is a document requester/user side, and the server is a document provider side. Accordingly, if a system requesting and using a document has functions of storing and providing the document at the same time, the system can simultaneously act as the client and the server according to its role. [31] A language for searching these XML documents includes XML query language (XQL) and .XQucty. These search languages are widely used to.search XML documents stored in an electronic document repository of the server and provide a result in a form of XML document desired by the requester. [32] As an example, the XQL will be described below. The XQL is a means for searching and selecting positions of data fields arid texts existing within die XML document. The XML files'are used to transmit data collection between computers on the web, The XQL provides a tool for searclung or selecting a specific item in the data collection within the XML files. This is based on a format syntax that is used in an extensible style, sheet language (XSL). The XQL is proposed as an extended version of the XSL, [33] For processing, the XSL format language uses a simple directory notation to indicate a specific element name. For example, "books/authois" icpicsents "a searching of all author components within nil book components in a specific context such as an XML file". The XQL adds a capacity of using Boolean logic, selecting components and indexing component collections to the duectojy format notation. The XQL makes it possible to produce programs capable of searching the electronic document repository, which stores the XML files, and providing hyperlinks linked to specific components. [34] As described above, in a related art method for requesting a supply of the electronic documents using these search languages, a user requesting the electronic document should learn an additional search language and designate a structure of the XML document to be supplied as the search result. Accordingly, the related art XQL method is ineffective to the -user who wants to request and receive the electronic document created based on the previously designated syntax. [35] '; Pieferred embodiments, of XML-based electronic,document request methods using a prescribed syntax according to the present invention will now be described. XML- based electronic documents can use a document type definition (DTD) or an XML schema language to define syntaxes. These syntaxes define a structure of an entire electronic document and restrict, name and occurrence liequeucy of each clement, otder, whether it is a required element or an optional element, attribute of each element, etc. The electronic documents become valid documents with respect to the syntaxes .provided by these languages. • • [36] Preferred embodiments of the present invention can constitute a request document requesting desired information by using a prescribed syntax, and can request supply of information from an electronic document repository by using the request document. In other words, a requester requests the supply of the iuformation to the electronic document repository by transmitting the request document or the lita with the . desk-eel inf onnation recorded based on the prescribed syntax. 1.3 71 A request document isprefeiably consituted with only nn rlrm^nl: name/attribute narne without detailed information values of element iiamcs/atuibute names based on the syntax. Additionally, if there is an information that can limit the to-be-supplied information, an identifier or nn clement name/attribute name based on the syntax can be recorded in the request document together with specific values. [38] Accordingly, when the requester sends the request document to the electronic document repository for the purpose of requesting the supply of the electronic document, the .syntax of a required .element or a required attribute among the limitations of. the • • prescribed syntaxes may not be observed. In. other words, because -the. supply of the electronic document is requested to the repository after inserting only the desired element or die attribute values, the required element or the required attribute can. be omitted if there is not the desired information value. [39] In the element namc/attiibutc name lepiescuting the to-be supplied information and having an identifier value or specific value for limiting the information, the , electronic document described according to a hierarchy structure of the prescribed syntax.is preferably used as the request document. The electronic document can be supplied that includes the value of the desired element name/attribute name and satisfies the value of the ' element name/attribute name used as the identification value or the conditions. [40] In other.words, according to embodiments of the XML basecl electronic document request/supply method of the present invention, a supply of the electronic document having the corresponding information is requested by using a request document iu -which the-, identification Value; of the to-bc-icqucstecl electronic document and i:h<: to-be-supplied clement are described according to die heraichy.structure of the prescribed .syntax.> [41] Additionally, according to embodiments of the XML-based electronic document request/supply method of the present invention, an attribute value is added at the provider side to notify an invalidity of the contents to be deleted if contents of the supplied document ate deleted or not valid any more. Further, according to embodiments of the XML-based electronic document request/supply rnedhod of the present invention, if predetermined contents of die supplied document ate deleted or not valid any moie, the invalidity of the document is preferably notified by inserting only the to-be-deleted contents • '.. into the element ntunei [42] The embodiments of a electronic document request/supply method according to the present invention can be applied, for example, to the requester requesting the supply of the electronic document, the provider supplying the requested electronic document, and a system configured with a network connecting .the requester and the provider. Also, the electronic document request/supply method can be. applied to a system that provides, only : basic information under an environment such, as a broadcasting program providing system' and then receives an additional information via a network according to the user's request. [43] For example, a syntax of the electronic document of the broadcasting program • can be defined as follows, and an electronic document request/supply method -will be . described with reference to FIG, 2. FIG. 2 is an exemplary view showing a syntax structure : of a broadcasting program produced by a related art method of creating an XML-based electronic document. [44] As shown in FIG. 2, it is assumed that the broadcasting program, has a title and program identifier (ID) information uniquely indicating the program, an information on a broadcast such as broadcasting service, time and duration, and information on contents sucli as synopsis, review and casting. Herein, the case where the title, the progiam identifier, the time and the duration are defined as the required elements will be described. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 2, a solid line can represent a required element and a dotted line can represent an optional clement. [45] As shown in FIGs. 3 and 4, these programs can be illustrated Using a DTD and an XML schema. FIG. 3 is an exemplary view ol the DTD, showing syntax ol the broadcasting program produced by a related art method of creating the XML-based electronic document, and FIG. 4 is an exemplary view of the XML schema showing syntax of the broadcasting program created by a related method of cieating the XML-based electronic document. [46] . The DTD is regulations for applying XML in. order to markup a specific .' document type and. determined by its application. A definition of the document type can include an element type that can be expressed by the markup, an clement relationship and attribute, and a regulation related to a reference. [47] In FIGs. 5 and 6, there are shown broadcasting piogiams actually created based on the syntax. FIGs. 5 and 6 are views of exemplary broadcasting program electronic documents created by a related art method of creating the XML-based electronic document. Here, the title that is the required clement is all contained, but the optional elements may not bo contained. [48] HG. 7 is a diagram that shows an exemplary view of a request document requesting a supply of an electronic document created by the XML-based electronic document request method according to an embodiment of the present invention. It Is assumed that the requestor requests the review of a specific piogiam t.o thft Innndrn.ttiug station. At this time, the requester can create the request document as shown in PIG. 7. [49] As shown in FIG. 7, the request document can use the same syntax of FlGs. 5 and 6. Although the present invention is not intended to be so limited. However, the tide element that is the required element is omitted, and die supply of the electroiiic document is •requested to the repository after inserting "the identifier" element of the desired piogram and "the review" element. [50] Accordingly, the request document can be supplied to the electronic document repository by the request of the user or the like who produces the request document shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 8 is a diagram that shows an exemplary view of the requested electronic document supplied according to the request document of FIG. 7, . • Further, as- shown in FIG! 8, the electronic document including the requested information .-can be supplied to the electronic document application system utilized by the users according to the prescribed syntax. ) . [51] As a further example, it is assumed that the requester requests programsi in which a specific actor or actress performs. At this time, the requester can create the request document as shown in FIG. 9. As shown in FIG. 9, the request document can use the same syntax of PIGs. 5 and 6. However, the title element that is the required element is omitted, .and the supply of the electronic document is requested to the repository after inserting only "the casting" element of the desired program, Here, since the "tide" element and the information on "the broadcast" ate the icquircd elements, this infonnation is automatically provided even if they are not marked in the request document. [52] Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 10, the clccuonie document repository supplies die electronic document application system utilized by the users with the electronic document including the requested information according to the prescribed syntax in response to the user's request. . . [53] Acc.ordinp;, to "the embodiments' of XML-based electronic document; request/supply methods of the pxesent invention, the requester can 'request a, Supply of the, electronic document stored in the electronic document repository by using the prescribed syntax (e.g., without learning a .syntax of the additional language for the search request). Additionally, embodiments of methods of the present invention can be.performed more effectively since the electronic document supplied from the electronic document repository is processed by using only the system, which processes the prescribed syntax based on the . . XML. , [54] At this time, the element name/attribute name of the request document is selectively recorded among the required/optional elements and/or the required/optional • attributes for the syntax defining the constructed electronic document structure. The element name/attribute name selectively recorded in the request document can represent the clement name/attribute name of information that should.be provided to the to-be-supplied electronic document. Further, if corresponding values are recorded in the elemeni/aiuibute selectively recorded in the request document, the recorded values of the clement name/attribute name represents the conditions of the element name/attribute' name that should be satisfied by the electronic document provided in response to the user's request. [55] Further, if there arc the contents to be deleted due to a change in the contents of the document, for example, if a prearranged broadcasting program is cancelled, the processes can. be performed as shown in FIGs. 11 and/or FIG. 12. In other words, as shown in FIGs. 11 and 12, cancellation of the prearranged broadcasting program, for example, can be notified by adding an invalid or deletion element name or attribute name or the like. [56] HG. 11 is.a diagram that shows an exemplary view.of an emuuuuneiu providing information on a deleted document by supplying a document with an element notifying that die document is invalid according to an embodiment of an XML-based electronic document supply method of the present invention. FIG. 12 is an exemplary view of providing information on a deleted document by supplying a document with an attribute notifying that the document is invalid according to another embodiment of. an XML-basedelectronic document supply metho'd of the present invention. •• . • ., [57] In more detail, information on the cancellation of a prearranged broadcasting program, for example "Larry King," can be provided by adding the invalid clement as shown in FIG. 11. At this time, the to-be-deleted contents contained as the invalid contents within the supplied document can.be dctemiined by an identifier .clement that can identify the document. If the identifier element is supplied as the contents of the invalid element, the corresponding entire document can be deleted. If the identifier (e.g., identifier element) that can identify the coiresponding document within the supplied document is contained' and only the to-be: deleted contents of the corresponding document are contained as the invalid element name, only the corresponding contents contained within the invalid element name are preferably deleted. [58] Furthcr, the information on the cancellation of the prescribed broadcasting program, for example "Larry King," can be provided simply by adding the attribute name as exemplarily shown in FIG. 12. At this time, the attribute name notifying the invalidity of the supplied document can be au attribute of the identifier clement 'name that can. identify the to-be-deleted document. In case of providing the attribute name-notifying that the attribute of the identifier eleipent name becomes invalidj the corresponding entire document that can be identified by the corresponding document identifier is deleted. . . [59] Additionally, if the identifier that can identify the corresponding document •within die supplied document is contained and.only the to-be-deleted contents of the corresponding document are provided as an attribute notifying the invalidity, only the corresponding contents among, the documents identified by the. document identifier are preferably deleted. [60] According to embodiments of XML-based electronic document - supply methods of the present invention, it is possible to gradually upgrade die document by deleting the contents, that are deleted or not valid any more because of a change in the contents qf the document, without having to newly supply the document, or by supplying billy the invalid contents. [61] As described above, preferred embodiments of methods for document lequest and/or supply have various advantages. Accoiding lo preferred embodiments of the present invention, XMI-based electjonic documents cau be effectively supplied using the previously prescribed syntax without learning the syntax of additional languages to request the electronic, document. Further, an electronic document application system utilized by the requester can request the search of the electronic document and process the electronic document supplied from the electronic document repository using only an apparatus and/or algorithm for processing the prescribed syntax. In addition, if some or the entire contents of . the supplied document arc deleted or become invalid, the use of the invalid document or its contents can be reduced or prevented by simply notifying the deleted contents. [62] The foregoing embodiments and advantages are merely exemplary and are not to be construed as limiting the present invention. The present teaching can be readily applied to odier types of apparatuses. The description of the preesent. invention is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims. Many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in "the .art. In the. claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. WE CLAIM: 1. A method for requesting an electronic document based on XML, the electronic document being created using a syntax defining a structure of the electronic document, the method comprising: creating a request document including an element name/attribute name based on a previously prescribed syntax without defining an additional syntax for requesting the electronic document; and requesting delivery of the electronic document having an information on the element name/attribute name recorded in the request document. 2. The method as claimed in claim 1, comprising receiving the electronic document including the information on the requested element name/attribute name. 3. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the request document further includes an identifier information on the electronic document that has an information on desired element name/attribute name. 4. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the identifier information includes an information distinguishing a specific electronic document among electronic documents having the information on the desired element name/attribute name. 5. The method as claimed in claim 3, wherein the identifier information includes a condition information limiting conditions of the electronic document requested among electronic documents having the information on the desired element name/attribute name. 6. The method as claimed in claim 2, wherein the element name/attribute name of the request document is selectively recorded among required/optional elements and/or required/optional attributes by the syntax defining the structure of the electronic document. 7. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein the selectively recorded element name/attribute name is an element name/attribute name of information contained in the electronic document to be supplied to a requester. 8. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein when corresponding values are recorded in the element name/attribute name selectively recorded in the request document, the recorded values are conditions of the element name/attribute name to be satisfied the electronic document supplied according to the user's request. 9. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the request document includes only the element name/attribute name. 10. A method for supplying an electronic document based on XML, the electronic document including values of element name/attribute name contained in a request document, the request document being requested using a syntax defining a structure of the constructed electronic document, the method comprising: providing an element name/attribute name based on a previously defined syntax in the request document among required elements, optional elements, required attributes or optional attributes; and selectively providing an identifier information in the request document identifying an information on the element name/attribute name, wherein at least one electronic document that is supplied is valid for the previously defined syntax and includes values of the element name/attribute name used in the request document, and wherein when the identifier information is provided the supplied electronic document satisfies the values of the element name/attribute name and an identifier value of the request document including a request information. 11. The method as claimed in claim 10, wherein the identifier information includes an identifier information uniquely identifying a specific electronic document, and a condition information limiting conditions of a desired electronic document. 12. A method for supplying an electronic document based on XML using a syntax defining a structure of the electronic document, the method, comprising: supplying a document including an invalid element to delete subsequently invalid contents contained in a corresponding previously supplied document, wherein deletion of predetermined contents of the corresponding document is notified by adding to- be-deleted contents to the invalid element. 13. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the to-be-deleted contents contained as contents of the invalid element within the supplied document is an identifier element, and wherein when the identifier element is supplied as the contents of the invalid element, the corresponding entire document is deleted. 14. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein when an identifier identifying the corresponding document within the supplied document is contained and only the to-be- deleted contents of the corresponding document are contained as the invalid element, only the corresponding contents contained in the invalid element are deleted. 15. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the to-be-deleted contents are identified by the invalid element. 16. A method for supplying an electronic document based on XML using a syntax defining a structure of the electronic document, the method comprising: deleting of predetermined contents of a corresponding document by supplying a subsequent document including an attribute identifying invalidity of the corresponding document to delete contents contained in the corresponding document. 17. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein the attribute identifies the contents of the corresponding document that have become invalid. 18. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein when an identifier element identifying a document using the attribute is provided when the document including the attribute is supplied, the corresponding entire document is deleted using the identifier. 19. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein when an identifier identifying the corresponding document within the subsequent document is contained and to-be-deleted contents of the corresponding document are provided as the attribute identifying invalidity of the document, only the corresponding contents among the documents identified by the identifier are deleted.

Documents:

414-DELNP-2005-Abstract-(06-08-2009).pdf

414-delnp-2005-abstract.pdf

414-DELNP-2005-Claims-(06-08-2009).pdf

414-delnp-2005-claims.pdf

414-delnp-2005-correpsondence-others.pdf

414-DELNP-2005-Correspondence-Others-(06-08-2009).pdf

414-delnp-2005-description (complete).pdf

414-DELNP-2005-Drawings-(06-08-2009).pdf

414-delnp-2005-drawings.pdf

414-delnp-2005-form-1.pdf

414-delnp-2005-form-13-(25-02-2008).pdf

414-delnp-2005-form-18.pdf

414-delnp-2005-form-2.pdf

414-delnp-2005-form-3.pdf

414-delnp-2005-form-5.pdf

414-delnp-2005-pct-101.pdf

414-delnp-2005-pct-210.pdf

414-delnp-2005-pct-408.pdf

414-delnp-2005-pct-409.pdf