Module for the interconnectivity of independent software applications

• US 20010047316A1
• Filed: 04/06/2001
• Published: 11/29/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Oracle International Corporation (Oracle Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Oracle International Corporation (Oracle Corporation)
• Inventors: Hallihan, Daniel
• Granted Patent: US 7,383,225 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/30
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/541 via adapters, e.g. between incompatible applications
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/1091 Recording time for administrative or management purposes
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/10 specially adapted for electronic funds transfer [EFT] systems; specially adapted for home banking systems
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 20/102 Bill distribution or payments
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/02 Banking, e.g. interest calculation or account maintenance credit or loans G06Q40/03
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/12 Accounting

Abstract

The present invention discloses an interconnectivity program module that provides for interconnectivity and interfacing of independent application programs in the context of a data processing system. Specifically, the interconnectivity program module provides a time and expenses database and interface capability between a payroll application, an accounts payable application, and a projects/billing application.

Claims

1. A machine-readable medium having embodied thereon a software interconnectivity program, said program being executable by an electronic device to perform method steps for interfacing and interconnecting data between one or more independent software applications, comprising the steps of:

entering data into a data entry panel of an electronic device;

sending said data to an interconnectivity program module; and

interfacing said data to one or more independent software applications for processing of said data by said applications.

2. The machine readable medium of

claim 1

, further comprising the step of verifying said data by comparing to a plurality of predetermined audit criteria before interfacing said data to said software applications.

3. The machine-readable medium of

claim 1

, further comprising the step of storing and retrieving said data in a database of said interconnectivity program module.

4. The machine-readable medium of

claim 1

further comprising the step of converting said data to a file format that is compatible with said software applications after interfacing said data to said software applications.

5. The machine-readable medium of

claim 1

, wherein one of said independent software applications is a payroll-processing program.

6. The machine-readable medium of

claim 1

, wherein one of said independent software applications is an accounts payable program.

7. The machine-readable medium of

claim 1

, wherein one of said independent software applications is a project management program.

8. The machine-readable medium of

claim 1

, wherein one of said independent software applications is a billing program.

9. A data processing system for interfacing and interconnecting data between one or more independent software applications, comprising:

one or more data entry panels for entering data into said system;

one or more processors coupled to said system;

one or more independent software applications executable on said processors; and

an interconnectivity program module to interface said data to said processors for processing by said software applications.

10. The data processing system of

claim 9

, further comprising a plurality of predetermined audit criteria for verifying said data before interfacing said data to said software applications.

11. The data processing system of

claim 9

, wherein the interconnectivity program module further comprises a database for storage and retrieval of said data.

12. The data processing system of

claim 9

, further comprising a means for converting said data to a file format that is compatible with said software applications.

13. The data processing system of

claim 9

, wherein one of said independent software applications is a payroll-processing program.

14. The data processing system of

claim 9

, wherein one of said independent software applications is an accounts payable program.

15. The data processing system of

claim 9

, wherein one of said independent software applications is a project management program.

16. The data processing system of

claim 9

, wherein one of said independent software applications is a billing program.

17. A method for processing data for interfacing and interconnecting between one or more independent software applications, comprising:

providing one or more data entry panels for entering data into said system;

providing one or more processors coupled to said system;

providing one or more independent software applications executable on said processors; and

providing an interconnectivity program module to interface said data to said processors for processing by said software applications.

18. The method for processing data of

claim 17

, further comprising the step of providing a means for verifying said data by comparing to a plurality of predetermined audit criteria before said interconnectivity program module interfaces said data to said software applications.

19. The method for processing data of

claim 17

, further comprising the step of providing a database in said interconnectivity program module for storing and retrieving said data.

20. The method for processing data of

claim 17

, further comprising the step of providing a means for converting said data to a file format that is compatible with said software applications after interfacing said data to said software applications.

21. The method for processing data of

claim 17

, wherein one of said independent software applications is a payroll-processing program.

22. The method for processing data of

claim 17

, wherein one of said independent software applications is an accounts payable program.

23. The method for processing data of

claim 17

, wherein one of said independent software applications is a project management program.

24. The method for processing data of

claim 17

, wherein one of said independent software applications is a billing program.

25. A data processing system for interfacing and interconnecting data between one or more independent software applications, comprising:

one or more data entry panels for entering data into said system by a data entry operator;

one or more processors coupled to said system;

one or more independent software applications executable on said processors;

an interconnectivity program module to interface said data to said processors for processing by said software applications, further comprising a database for storage and retrieval of said data.;

a plurality of predetermined audit criteria for verifying said data before interfacing said data to said software applications; and

a means for converting said data to a file format that is compatible with said software applications.