Data processing methods, systems and computer programs

• US 20060047764A1
• Filed: 04/19/2005
• Published: 03/02/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/21/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SAP SE
• Original Assignee: SAP AG (SAP SE)
• Inventors: Enekiel, Achim
• Granted Patent: US 8,548,939 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/206
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/958 Organisation or management of web site content, e.g. publishing, maintaining pages or automatic linking
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/174 Form filling; Merging
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management

Abstract

Methods, systems and computer programs are provided for processing data in a web service environment. In accordance with one embodiment, a data processing method is provided that comprises: entering data values into respective data entry fields of an electronic data entry form of a first computer; entering an identifier of a web service into the first computer; initiating a data processing stage to be performed by a second computer on the basis of the data values entered into the electronic data entry form by the first computer; sending signalling data for signalling initiation of the data processing stage to a web service; and sending a result of the data processing stage to a third computer, the third computer being coupled to the web service.

Claims

1. A data processing method, comprising the steps of:

entering data values into respective data entry fields of an electronic data entry form of a first computer;

entering an identifier of a web service into the first computer;

initiating a data processing stage on the basis of the data values entered into the electronic data entry form of the first computer;

sending signalling data for signalling at least one of scheduling, initiation, performance, and completion of the data processing stage to a web service; and

sending a result of the data processing step to a third computer, the third computer being coupled to the web service.

2. The data processing method of claim 1, further comprising providing the signalling data from the web service to the third computer prior to receipt of the result by the third computer.

3. The data processing method of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

receiving an XML document by the first computer, the XML document carrying the data values and mark-up data being descriptive of the assignment of the data values to the data entry fields of the electronic data entry form and the identifier of the web service; and

automatically entering the data values into the respective data entry fields and automatically entering the identifier of the web service.

4. The data processing method of claim 3, wherein the XML document is received from the third computer.

5. The data processing method of claim 1, wherein the signalling data is sent from the first computer to the web service.

6. The data processing method of claim 1, wherein the data processing stage is performed by a second computer and the signalling data is sent from the first and/or the second computer to the web service.

7. The data processing method of claim 3, wherein the XML document includes a control parameter and wherein the method further comprises processing at least one of the data values with the first computer prior to entry into the electronic data entry form.

8. The data processing method of claim 7, the control parameter specifying a price rebate.

9. The data processing method of claim 1, wherein the data processing stage comprises an account payment procedure.

10. The data processing method of claim 1, wherein the identifier of the web service is a uniform resource locator (URL).

11. The data processing method of claim 1, wherein the signalling data comprises at least one of the data values that has been entered into the electronic data entry form, a time stamp identifying a date and time when the data processing stage has been scheduled, initiated and/or performed, and an identifier for identification of the third computer.

12. The data processing method of claim 11, the third computer using its identifier for querying the web service.

13. The data processing method of claim 1, wherein the entry of the data values and the identifier of the web service is performed in response to a drag and drop operation.

14. A data processing system comprising:

a first computer for entering data values into respective data entry fields of an electronic data entry form and for entering an identifier of a web service, the first computer comprising means for initiation of a data processing stage to be performed on the basis of the data values entered into the electronic data entry form;

a second computer for performing the data processing stage and sending a result of the data processing stage to a third computer; and

a web service coupled to the third computer, the web service being adapted to receive signalling data that signals at least one of scheduling, initiation and completion of the data processing stage.

15. The data processing system of claim 14, the first computer being adapted to send the signalling data to the web service.

16. The data processing system of claim 14, the second computer being adapted to send the signalling data to the web service.

17. The data processing system of claim 14, the signalling data comprising at least one of the data values that has been entered into the electronic data entry form, a time stamp identifying a date and/or time when the data processing step has been scheduled, initiated and/or performed, and an identifier for identification of the third computer.

18. The data processing system of claim 14, the web service comprising a database for storing the signalling data using the identifiers of the third computer as keys.

19. The data processing system of claim 14, the web service implementing a push or a pull service for the third computer.

20. A computer program product comprising computer executable instructions for performing a data processing method, the method comprising the steps of:

entering data values into respective data entry fields of an electronic data entry form of a first computer;

entering an identifier of a web service into the first computer;

initiating a data processing stage on the basis of the data values entered into the electronic data entry form of the first computer;

sending signalling data for signalling at least one of scheduling, initiation, performance, and completion of the data processing stage to a web service; and

sending a result of the data processing stage to a third computer, the third computer being coupled to the web service.

21. The computer program product of claim 20, wherein the method further comprises providing the signalling data from the web service to the third computer prior to receipt of the result by the third computer.

22. The computer program product of claim 20, wherein the method further comprises the steps of:

receiving an XML document by the first computer, the XML document carrying the data values and mark-up data being descriptive of the assignment of the data values to the data entry fields of the electronic data entry form and the identifier of the web service; and

automatically entering the data values into the respective data entry fields and automatically entering the identifier of the web service.

23. The computer program product of claim 20, wherein the signalling data comprises at least one of the data values that has been entered into the electronic data entry form, a time stamp identifying a date and time when the data processing stage has been scheduled, initiated and/or performed, and an identifier for identification of the third computer.

24. A data processing system, comprising:

means for entering data values into respective data entry fields of an electronic data entry form;

means for entering an identifier of a web service;

means for initiating a data processing stage on the basis of the data values entered into the electronic data entry form of the first computer;

means for sending signalling data for signalling at least one of scheduling, initiation, performance and completion of the data processing stage to a web service; and

means for sending a result of the data processing stage to a third computer, the third computer being coupled to the web service.

25. The data processing system of claim 24, further comprising means for providing the signalling data from the web service to the third computer prior to receipt of the result by the third computer.

26. The data processing system of claim 24, further comprising:

means for receiving an XML document by the first computer, the XML document carrying the data values and mark-up data being descriptive of the assignment of the data values to the data entry fields of the electronic data entry form and the identifier of the web service; and

means for automatically entering the data values into the respective data entry fields and automatically entering the identifier of the web service.

27. The data processing system of claim 24, wherein the signalling data comprises at least one of the data values that has been entered into the electronic data entry form, a time stamp identifying a date and time when the data processing stage has been scheduled, initiated and/or performed, and an identifier for identification of the third computer.