Systems and methods for cloud-based application access to resources

• US 10,129,172 B1
• Filed: 06/29/2015
• Issued: 11/13/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 11/20/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Auctane LLC (Stamps.com, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Auctane LLC (Stamps.com, Inc.)
• Inventors: Stafford, Tobias J., Wier, Byron J., Henry, Paul D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kim, Hee Soo
• Application Number:
  US14/753,918
• Time in Patent Office: 1,233 Days
• Field of Search: 709225
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/903 Querying for retrieval from the web G06F16/953
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04842 Selection of displayed objects or displayed text elements G06F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/4881 Scheduling strategies for dispatcher, e.g. round robin, multi-level priority queues
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/526 Mutual exclusion algorithms
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/083 Shipping
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/0833 Tracking
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 47/783 Distributed allocation of resources, e.g. bandwidth brokers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/1044 Group management mechanisms management of multicast group membership H04L12/185; reconfiguring of node membership in a computing system to eliminate errors G06F11/1425
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/34 involving the movement of software or configuration parameters network booting or remote initial program loading [RIPL] G06F9/4416
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99933 Query processing, i.e. searching

Abstract

Systems and methods which facilitate access to computing resources by cloud-based applications are described. Embodiments enable cloud-based applications to provide output to and/or obtain input from computing resources, such as printers, scales, scanners, and storage devices, for performing various functions. In operation according to embodiments, a user agent client application is executed by computing equipment in communication with a computing resource to which access is to be provided to one or more cloud-based applications. Although embodiments implement a user interface client application which is separate from a user agent client application, tight integration between a user interface client application and user agent client application may be provided. Embodiments not only facilitate operation whereby a cloud-based application is enabled to provide output to and/or obtain input from computing resources, but also facilitate remote and/or shared client interaction with such computing resources.

Claims

1. A method for providing cloud-based application access to one or more computing resources disposed in association with a client terminal, the method comprising:

executing a user agent client application on the client terminal, wherein the user agent client application is adapted to provide control of at least one computing resource of the one or more computing resources;

establishing an open channel communication link between the user agent client application and the cloud-based application;

invoking functionality of the cloud-based application using a cloud client application hosted on a user client interface application configured to inhibit interaction with and control of the at least one computing resource by the cloud-based application; and

arbitrating access to a selected computing resource of the at least one computing resource for the cloud-based application by the user agent client application based at least in part on information transmitted via the open channel communication link, wherein the arbitrating bypasses the user client interface application by;

transmitting, by the cloud client application, information associated with the invoked functionality to the cloud-based application, and

receiving, by the user agent client application, commands from the cloud-based application that control access to the selected computing resource via the open channel communication link.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the open channel communication link comprises a socket pair channel providing secure communication between the user agent client application and the cloud-based application.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the open channel communication link is part of a channel group, wherein the channel group comprises a plurality of associated open channel communication links between different nodes to the cloud-based application, and wherein intercommunication between the different nodes is provided by the plurality of associated open channel communication links of the channel group.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the different nodes comprise the cloud client application, wherein the invoked functionality of the cloud-based application includes initiating a task which employs the access to the selected computing resource, and wherein the arbitrating access to the selected computing resource by the user agent client application is in response to the cloud client application having initiated the task which employs the access to the selected computing resource.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the different nodes further comprise a first and second instance of the user agent client application, wherein the first instance of the user agent client application is the user agent client application executing on the client terminal, wherein the second instance of the user agent client application has a different computing resource associated therewith, and wherein the selected computing resource was selected from a group of computing resources for which cloud-based application access is provided which includes at least the selected computing resource and the different computing resource.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

accepting input from a user of the cloud client application indicating selection of the selected computing resource.

7. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

obtaining default configuration data indicating selection of the selected computing resource.

8. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

broadcasting an awareness message by the user agent client application to nodes of the different nodes when the user agent client application comes online, wherein the awareness message includes information regarding each computing resource of the at least one computing resource to the nodes of the different nodes.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein nodes of the different nodes comprise the cloud client application, and wherein the cloud client application maintains a real-time registry of user agent client applications and their associated computing resources which are members of the channel group.

10. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

transmitting an awareness message by the user agent client application to the cloud client application when the cloud client application joined the channel group after the user agent client application joined the channel group.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the selected computing resource comprises a printer, and wherein the access to the selected computing resource enables printing to the computing resource by the cloud-based application.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the selected computing resource comprises a scale, and wherein the access to the selected computing resource enables obtaining a weight of an item by the cloud-based application.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the selected computing resource comprises a scanner, and wherein the access to the selected computing resource enables obtaining information by the cloud-based application which is scanned from an item.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the executing the user agent client application on the client terminal comprises executing the user agent client application as a background task which monitors the open channel communication link for command messages.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the user agent client application is adapted to allow support personnel to access the at least one computing resource for diagnostic purposes, wherein the support personnel are remote to and different from a user of the cloud client application.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the cloud-based application comprises a shipping management system, and wherein the access to the selected computing resource comprises functionality for management of shipment of an item by the shipping management system.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the selected computing resource comprises a printer, wherein the access to the selected computing resource enables printing to the computing resource by the shipping management system, and wherein the functionality for management of shipment of the item comprises printing a shipping label having value bearing indicia generated in response to an electronic commerce transaction performed using the user agent client application.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the shipping management system provides shipping management functionality with respect to multiple shipping service providers, wherein the access to the selected computing resource comprises obtaining input from the selected computing resource, and wherein the shipping management functionality facilitates providing the input obtained from the selected computing resource to a respective system of any shipping service provider of the multiple shipping service providers.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein the shipping management system provides shipping management functionality with respect to multiple shipping service providers, wherein the access to the selected computing resource comprises outputting data to the selected computing resource, and wherein the shipping management functionality facilitates providing the output to the selected computing resource by a respective system of any shipping service provider of the multiple shipping service providers.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the shipping management system provides shipping management functionality with respect to multiple shipping service providers, wherein the access to the selected computing resource comprises obtaining input from the selected computing resource, and wherein the shipping management functionality facilitates providing the input obtained from the selected computing resource to a respective system of any shipping service provider of the multiple shipping service providers.

21. The method of claim 16, wherein the shipping management system provides shipping management functionality with respect to multiple commerce channels, wherein the access to the selected computing resource comprises obtaining input from the selected computing resource, and wherein the shipping management functionality facilitates providing the input obtained from the selected computing resource to a respective system of any commerce channel of the multiple commerce channels.

22. The method of claim 16, wherein the shipping management system provides shipping management functionality with respect to multiple commerce channels, wherein the access to the selected computing resource comprises obtaining input from the selected computing resource, and wherein the shipping management functionality facilitates providing the input obtained from the selected computing resource to a respective system of any commerce channel of the multiple commerce channels.

23. A computer program product for providing cloud-based application access to one or more computing resources disposed in association with a client terminal, the computer program product comprising:

a non-transitory computer readable medium storing program code which is executable by a processor of the client terminal, wherein the program code includes;

a user agent client application adapted to provide control of at least one computing resource of the one or more computing resources, wherein the user agent client application when executed by the processor is operable to;

establish an open channel communication link between the user agent client application and the cloud-based application, wherein functionality of the cloud-based application is invoked by a cloud client application hosted on a user client interface application configured to inhibit interaction with and control of the at least one computing resource by the cloud-based application, and

arbitrate access to a selected computing resource of the at least one computing resource for the cloud-based application by the user agent client application based at least in part on information transmitted via the open channel communication link, wherein the arbitrating bypasses the user client interface application by;

transmitting, by the cloud client application, information associated with the invoked functionality to the cloud-based application, and

receiving, by the user agent client application, commands from the cloud-based application that control access to the selected computing resource via the open channel communication link.

24. The computer program product of claim 23, wherein the open channel communication link comprises a socket pair channel providing secure communication between the user agent client application and the cloud-based application.

25. The computer program product of claim 23, wherein the open channel communication link is part of a channel group, wherein the channel group comprises a plurality of associated open channel communication links between different nodes to the cloud-based application, and wherein intercommunication between the different nodes is provided by the plurality of associated open channel communication links of the channel group.

26. The computer program product of claim 25, wherein the program code further includes:

the cloud client application which when executed by the processor is hosted on the user client interface application, wherein the different nodes comprise the cloud client application, wherein the invoked functionality of the cloud-based application includes initiating a task which employs the access to the selected computing resource, and wherein the arbitrating access to the selected computing resource by the user agent client application is in response to the cloud client application having initiated the task which employs the access to the selected computing resource.

27. The computer program product of claim 26, wherein the user agent client application when executed by the processor is further operable to broadcast an awareness message to nodes of the different nodes when the user agent client application comes online, wherein the awareness message includes information regarding each computing resource of the at least one computing resource to the nodes of the different nodes.

28. The computer program product of claim 27, wherein nodes of the different nodes comprise the cloud client application, and wherein the cloud client application when executed by the processor is operable to maintain a real-time registry of user agent client applications and their associated computing resources which are members of the channel group.

29. The computer program product of claim 23, wherein the selected computing resource comprises a printer, and wherein the access to the selected computing resource enables printing to the selected computing resource by the cloud-based application.

30. The computer program product of claim 23, wherein the selected computing resource comprises a scale, and wherein the access to the selected computing resource enables obtaining a weight of an item by the cloud-based application.

31. The computer program product of claim 23, wherein the selected computing resource comprises a scanner, and wherein the access to the selected computing resource enables obtaining information by the cloud-based application which is scanned from an item.

32. A method for providing cloud-based application access to one or more computing resources disposed in association with a client terminal, the method comprising:

executing a user agent client application on the client terminal, wherein the user agent client application is adapted to provide control of at least one computing resource of the one or more computing resources;

establishing an open channel communication link between the user agent client application and the cloud-based application, wherein the open channel communication link is part of a channel group, wherein the channel group comprises a plurality of associated open channel communication links between different nodes to the cloud-based application, and wherein intercommunication between the different nodes is provided by the plurality of associated open channel communication links of the channel group;

executing a cloud client application on the client terminal or another client terminal, wherein the different nodes comprise the cloud client application, wherein the cloud client application is operable under control of a user to interact with the cloud-based application to invoke functionality of the cloud-based application, wherein the invoked functionality includes initiating a task which employs access to a selected computing resource of the at least one computing resource, and wherein the cloud client application is hosted on a user client interface application configured to inhibit interaction with and control of the at least one computing resource by the cloud-based application; and

arbitrating access to the selected computing resource for the cloud-based application by the user agent client application based at least in part on information transmitted via open channel communication link established between the user agent client application and the cloud-based application, wherein the arbitrating access to the selected computing resource by the user agent client application is in response to the cloud client application having initiated the task which employs the access to the selected computing resource and bypasses the user client interface application by;

transmitting, by the cloud client application, information associated with the invoked functionality to the cloud-based application, and

receiving, by the user agent client application, commands from the cloud-based application that control access to the selected computing resource via the open channel communication link.

33. The method of claim 32, further comprising:

broadcasting an awareness message by the user agent client application to at least the cloud client application when the user agent client application comes online, wherein the awareness message includes information regarding each computing resource of the at least one computing resource to the nodes of the different nodes.

34. The method of claim 33 wherein the cloud client application maintains a real-time registry of user agent client applications and their associated computing resources which are members of the channel group.