Microsoft Technology Licensing, LLC

Drugstore. Com

David S Sanderman

Sean P Nolan

Ramon J San Andres

Ethan Lowry

A distributed directory service for an on-line services network comprises multiple, separate services, referred to as 'Directory Service Providers,' running on respective groups of application servers. Each Directory Service Provider stores and provides access to a respective hierarchical directory structure, with nodes of the directory structures representing the various on-line services and other content entities which may be accessed by end users of the network. Junction point nodes are used to provide user-transparent links between the different directory structures, so that the directory structures appear to end users as a single, hierarchical directory. A common application program interface (API) is implemented by all Directory Service Providers, allowing client applications running on computers of end users to access the different directory structures using a common set of software methods. Data items that are shared by multiple nodes, such as icon bitmaps and sound files, are optionally stored by the Directory Service Providers within a shared database (separately from the nodes), and are accessed via special API methods. Various forms of node filtering, including language-based filtering and access rights filtering, are performed by the Directory Service Providers to determine which nodes to show to end users.

Directory service for a computer network

A distributed directory service for an online services network. The directory service comprises multiple, separate services, referred to as 'Directory Service Providers.' Each Directory Service Provider stores and provides access to a respective hierarchical directory structure, with nodes of the directory structures representing the various on-line services and other content entities which may be accessed by end users of the network. A common application program interface is implemented by all Directory Service Providers, allowing client applications running on computers of end users to access the different directory structures using a common set of software methods. Various forms of node filtering, including language-based filtering and access rights filtering, are performed by the Directory Service Providers to determine which nodes to show end users.

Distributed directory service using junction nodes for providing network users with an integrated hierarchical directory services

Method for downloading an icon corresponding to a hierarchical directory structure from a directory service

Methods and apparatuses for on-line prescription ordering are described. A prescription order is placed via a World Wide Web site and stored in a database. A server device periodically searches the database for new prescription orders. New prescription orders are routed to a distribution center for processing. The appropriate medical data (e.g., age, medical condition) is also routed to the distribution center for use in filling the prescription. Insurance information is collected and processed, if necessary. In one embodiment, in certain situations, a 'pre-fill' order is sent to the distribution center to cause the distribution center to determine the actual medication to be dispensed, the cost covered by the insurance and other prescription processing to occur. In response to a user making financial arrangements (e.g., providing a credit card number) to cover any costs not covered by the insurance the prescription is filled and is shipped to the appropriate individual.

Method and apparatus for on-line prescription ordering

A distributed directory service for an online services network comprises multiple, separate services (Directory Service Providers) runs on application servers and provides access to a respective hierarchical directory structure. Nodes of directory structures representing online services may be accessed by end users of the network. Junction point nodes provide usertransparent links between the different directory structures which appear to end users as a single hierarchical directory. A common application program interface (API) implemented by the Directory Service Providers allows client applications to access the different directory structures using a common set of software methods. Data items shared by multiple nodes are optionally stored by the Directory Service Providers within a shared database and can be accessed via special API methods. Nodes are selected for display to end users using various forms of node filtering at the Directory Service Providers.

System for providing users an integrated directory service containing content nodes located in different groups of application servers in computer network

System for providing users with a filtered view of interactive network directory obtains from remote properties cache that provided by an on-line service

The on-line content editing system of the present invention operates as an extension of a computer's operating system to provide a graphical interface which displays system operator editing menus. Using multiple node editors, the editing system allows system operators to create, modify, link, unlink and delete content nodes in the on-line network. The editing system further allows a system operator to organize services and information content independent of a specific hardware implementation. This allows, for instance, a system operator to manage subsections of the on-line network regardless of where those subsections actually reside in the on-line network hardware. Furthermore, the editing system allows service providers to create specialized node editors. These specialized node editors are then used by multiple system operators to manage their assigned subsections of the on-line network. In addition, the editing system automatically identifies and invokes the proper node editor for a selected content node.

Growing community of inventors

Redmond, WA, United States of America

David S Sanderman