Methods for encoding decoding and processing six character date designations for the year 2000 and beyond
US5970247A · kind A · utility
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 7, 1997 |
| Grant date | Oct 19, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 7, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S707/99942
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A method of encoding and decoding calendar dates in multiple centuries to allow date data to be stored in a six-character format in a digital data processor. In an embodiment designed to allow existing programs to process date data correctly in the year 2000 and beyond, dates occurring before the year 2000 are characterized by two digit representations of each of the day, month, and year, while dates in the year 2000 and years thereafter are characterized by a year representation of "99" and a four-character month/day representation which is greater than 1231. The method comprises an Input Phase, in which date data are encoded from a conventional form into a six character format suitable for storage in a digital data processor, a Processing Phase, in which arithmetic and logical manipulation of date data may be performed, and an Output Phase, in which encoded date data are decoded into conventional numerical date designations. Also disclosed is a method of modifying existing computer programs to allow processing of dates in multiple centuries according to the above method.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.