You can freely build on How Distributed Servers Find Data Using Location Pointers
This patent expired in 2021. Every claim — 0 independent, 1 dependent — is now unenforceable. Anyone can use, reproduce, manufacture, sell, or offer for sale this technology without a license.
Original assignee
Econnectix LLC
Patent granted
2007
Expired
2021
Forward citations
119
What this patent covers
This patent describes a way to organize data across multiple servers so that finding a specific piece of information is fast and efficient. Instead of storing the actual data on every server, the system uses 'location servers' that hold an identifier for an entity and a 'location string'—essentially a pointer or address—that tells the user where the actual data resides. When a query comes in, the server checks its own records; if it doesn't have the answer, it can send a 'redirect message' to point the user toward a different server that likely has the information. This creates a scalable, hierarchical network where servers can share the load of finding data across a massive, distributed system.
What is now free to use
All 1 claims of US 7233978 are in the public domain. Specifically:
The 1 dependent claim add narrowing limitations and are also free.
What is NOT covered
Patent expiry frees this specific invention. Separately-patented improvements made after expiry may still be protected.
Does not cover the actual data content itself, only the mechanism for storing and retrieving the location of that data.
Does not cover centralized databases where all information is stored on a single machine.
Does not cover physical GPS tracking or real-time geographic mapping of mobile devices.
Who is building on this today
The principles of distributed indexing and redirection are central to the infrastructure of major cloud providers like Amazon Web Services, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure. These companies utilize similar hierarchical lookup mechanisms to manage petabytes of data across global data centers.
Products built on expired version of this technology
Distributed hash tables in peer-to-peer file sharing networks
Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) that route users to the nearest server
Large-scale enterprise data indexing systems
How to cite this patent in your documentation
Econnectix LLC. US Patent 7233978. Method and apparatus for managing location information in a network separate from the data to which the location information pertains. Granted 2007, expired 2021. Now in the public domain.
Note: This is a convenience citation. Consult a patent attorney for formal freedom-to-operate analysis.
PatentBrief is an educational resource and does not provide legal advice. Patent expiration information is derived from USPTO records and may not reflect continuation patents, divisional filings, or separately-patented improvements. For commercial use or production decisions, obtain a formal freedom-to-operate (FTO) opinion from a registered patent attorney.