Importance

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Abstract

A method for operating a server system adapted to provide information files to a plurality of subscribers over communications network, such as Internet. A plurality of publishers store their publishing material such as newspapers, magazines or software files in a database server. The database server maintains a schedule of events file adapted to contain information relating to predetermined downloading schedules to the subscribers of the database server. The schedule of events file or the relevant portions of it are then transmitted to individual subscribers so that requests for information can be launched from the subscribers terminals at a predetermined time in accordance with the schedule of event file. The server then transmits to each requesting subscriber a set of predetermined data files as authorized by a corresponding one of the publishers, including each file's name, size and identification code in response to said information request from each one of the subscribers. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the database server keeps a track of information file transmittals and makes sure that a file has been successfully downloaded. If not, the database server keeps a track of the portion of the files that have been successfully transmitted and attempts to retransmit the portion that has not been received successfully, several times until the entire file is successfully received.

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First Claim