Delivering output XML with dynamically selectable processing

• US 20020147746A1
• Filed: 11/30/2001
• Published: 10/10/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 12/22/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Oracle International Corporation (Oracle Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Oblix, Inc. (Oracle Corporation)
• Inventors: Lee, Michele C.
• Granted Patent: US 6,816,871 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/513
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/6218 to a system of files or objects, e.g. local or distributed file system or database
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2119 Authenticating web pages, e.g. with suspicious links
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0823 using certificates cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication involving certificates H04L9/3263
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/561 Adding application-functional data or data for application control, e.g. adding metadata
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/564 Enhancement of application control based on intercepted application data
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/565 Conversion or adaptation of application format or content adding application control or application functional data H04L67/561
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99945 Object-oriented database structure processing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99948 Application of database or data structure, e.g. distributed, multimedia, or image

Abstract

In response to a user request, an Identity System generates an Output XML containing raw identity information organized in accordance with a set of XML templates. The Identity System dynamically determines the desired response type and prepares the response from the Output XML. One response type is server-side processing—the Identity System combines the Output XML with XSL stylesheets to generate a HTML response. An alternative response type is client-side processing—the Identity System supplies the user with the Output XML. In further client-side embodiments, the Identity System provides XSL stylesheet references along with the Output XML. Additional embodiments provide for the Identity System to perform customized post-processing on the Output XML.

Claims

1. A method comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving a request;

(b) generating an Output XML in response to said request;

(c) determining whether to perform client-side processing or server-side processing; and

(d) preparing a response to said request based on said determination in said step (c).

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said step (d) includes the steps of:

(1) preparing a client-side response to said request based on said Output XML, if said determination in said step (c) calls for performing client-side processing; and

(2) preparing a server-side response to said request based on said Output XML, if said determination in said step (c) calls for performing server-side processing.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said step (d)(1) includes the step of:

(i) providing said Output XML without references to any XSL stylesheet.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein said step (d)(1) includes the step of:

(ii) providing said Output XML and references to a set of XSL stylesheets.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said step (c) includes the step of:

(i) determining whether to include references to a set of XSL stylesheets with said client-side response.

6. The method of claim 2, wherein said step (d)(2) includes the step of:

(i) preparing a HTML response based on said Output XML and a set of XSL stylesheets.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said step (c) includes the step of:

(1) examining a parameter in said request to determine whether to perform client-side processing.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein said step (c) further includes the step of:

(2) examining a parameter in said request to determine whether to include references to a set of XSL stylesheets in said response.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said step (d) includes the step of:

(3) examining a parameter in said request to identify a XSL stylesheet for use in preparing said response.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein said step (c) includes the step of:

(1) examining a predefined list to determine whether to perform client-side processing.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said step (c) further includes the step of:

(2) examining said predefined list to determine whether to include references to a set of XSL stylesheets in said response.

12. The method of claim 1, further including the step of:

(e) performing post-processing on said Output XML to obtain a modified Output XML.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein said step (e) includes the steps of:

(1) retrieving a pointer to a post-processing application from an event catalogue; and

(2) performing said post-processing application.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said post-processing application is a decryption application.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein said step (d) includes the step of:

(1) preparing a client-side response to said request based on said modified Output XML, if said determination in said step (c) calls for performing client-side processing; and

(2) preparing a server-side response to said request based on said modified Output XML, if said determination in said step (c) calls for performing server-side processing.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein said steps (a), (b), (c), and (d) are performed by an Identity System in communication with an Access System.

18. One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 17, wherein said step (d) includes the steps of:

(1) preparing a client-side response to said request based on said Output XML, if said determination in said step (c) calls for performing client-side processing; and

(2) preparing a server-side response to said request based on said Output XML, if said determination in said step (c) calls for performing server-side processing.

19. One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 18, wherein said step (d)(1) includes the steps of:

(i) providing said Output XML without references to any XSL stylesheets.

20. One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 18, wherein said step (d)(1) includes the step of:

(ii) providing said Output XML and references to a set of XSL stylesheets.

21. One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 20, wherein said step (c) includes the step of:

(i) determining whether to include references to a set of XSL stylesheets with said client-side response.

22. One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 18, wherein said step (d)(2) includes the step of:

(i) preparing a HTML response based on said Output XML and a set of XSL stylesheets.

23. One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 17, wherein said step (c) includes the step of:

(1) examining a parameter in said request to determine whether to perform client-side processing.

24. One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 23, wherein said step (c) further includes the step of:

(2) examining a parameter in said request to determine whether to include references to a set of XSL stylesheets in said response.

25. One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 17, wherein said step (c) includes the step of:

(1) examining a predefined list to determine whether to perform client-side processing.

26. One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 17, further including the step of:

(e) performing post-processing on said Output XML to obtain a modified Output XML.

27. One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 26, wherein said step (d) includes the step of:

(1) preparing a client-side response to said request based on said modified Output XML, if said determination in said step (c) calls for performing client-side processing; and

(2) preparing a server-side response to said request based on said modified Output XML, if said determination in said step (c) calls for performing server-side processing.

28. One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 17, wherein said steps (a), (b), (c), and (d) are performed by an Identity System in communication with an Access System.

30. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein said step (d) includes the steps of:

(1) preparing a client-side response to said request based on said Output XML, if said determination in said step (c) calls for performing client-side processing; and

(2) preparing a server-side response to said request based on said Output XML, if said determination in said step (c) calls for performing server-side processing.

31. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein said step (d)(1) includes the step of (i) providing said Output XML without references to any XSL stylesheets.

32. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein said step (d)(1) includes the step of:

(ii) providing said Output XML and references to a set of XSL stylesheets.

33. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein said step (c) includes the step of:

(i) determining whether to include references to a set of XSL stylesheets with said client-side response.

34. The apparatus of claim 30, wherein said step (d)(2) includes the step of:

(i) preparing a HTML response based on said Output XML and a set of XSL stylesheets.

35. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein said step (c) includes the step of:

(1) examining a parameter in said request to determine whether to perform client-side processing.

36. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein said step (c) further includes the step of:

(2) examining a parameter in said request to determine whether to include references to a set of XSL stylesheets in said response.

37. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein said step (c) includes the step of:

(1) examining a predefined list to determine whether to perform client-side processing.

38. The apparatus of claim 29, further including the step of:

(e) performing post-processing on said Output XML to obtain a modified Output XML.

39. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein said step (d) includes the step of:

(1) preparing a client-side response to said request based on said modified Output XML, if said determination in said step (c) calls for performing client-side processing; and

(2) preparing a server-side response to said request based on said modified Output XML, if said determination in said step (c) calls for performing server-side processing.

40. The apparatus of claim 29, wherein said steps (a), (b), (c), and (d) are performed by an Identity System in communication with an Access System.

17. One or more processor readable storage devices having processor readable code embodied on said processor readable storage devices, said processor readable code for programming one or more processors to perform a method comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving a request;

(b) generating an Output XML in response to said request;

(c) determining whether to perform client-side processing or server-side processing; and

(d) preparing a response to said request based on said determination in said step (c).

29. An apparatus comprising:

one or more communications interfaces;

one or more storage devices; and

one or more processors in communication with said one or more storage devices and said one or more communication interfaces, said one or more processors perform a method comprising the steps of;

(a) receiving a request;

(b) generating an Output XML in response to said request;

(c) determining whether to perform client-side processing or server-side processing; and

(d) preparing a response to said request based on said determination in said step (c).