The "scan" phase of a distributed data collection process is decoupled from upload of the return collection data, with the "scan" consisting merely of an infrequent profile push to configure autonomous scanners at the data collection endpoints. Distributed data collection is initiated by endpoints within...http://www.google.ca/patents/US6374254?utm_source=gb-gplus-sharePatent US6374254 - Scalable, distributed, asynchronous data collection mechanism
