System for dynamically changing the communication means used for communication between two software agents

• US 20010052005A1
• Filed: 12/21/2000
• Published: 12/13/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Alcatel SA (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Alcatel SA (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Lachaud, Philippe, Daurensan, Veronique
• Granted Patent: US 7,191,227 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/221
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/54 Interprogram communication

Abstract

The invention relates to a system for changing the communication means used for communication between two software agents. Each software agent includes:

a communication module giving access to said communication means; and

means for receiving a new communication module from said communication server.

Claims

1. A system for changing the communication means used for communication between two software agents, the system further comprising a communication server, and each of said software agents including:

a communication module giving access to said communication means; and

means for receiving a new communication module from said communication server.

2. A system according to

claim 1

, in which said software agents further comprise means for sending a request to said communication server to cause said new communication module to be transited.

3. A system according to

claim 1

, in which said communication server includes means for receiving requests for loading communication means from a man-machine interface, causing said new communication module to be transmitted.

4. A system according to

claim 1

, in which said communication server further includes means for responding to internal rules to decide that said new communication module should be transmitted.

5. A system according to

claim 1

, in which said communication module is loaded dynamically by said software agents.

6. A system according to

claim 1

, in which said software agents and said communication modules communicate via a common programming interface.

7. A method of correcting a breakdown in a communication means used between two software agents, the method comprising the following ordered steps:

said software agents sending messages to a communication server informing it of said breakdown;

said server sending communication modules to said software agents, said communication modules being designed to give access to a different communication means; and

said software agents using said communication modules to continue communicating.