Access-method-independent exchange using a communication primitive

• US 6,546,413 B1
• Filed: 12/14/1998
• Issued: 04/08/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cappelle Networking DE LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Charles J. Northrup
• Inventors: Northrup, Charles J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sheikh, Ayaz
• Assistant Examiner(s): Jean, Frantz B
• Application Number:
  US09/211,266
• Time in Patent Office: 1,576 Days
• Field of Search: 709/200-253
• US Class Current: 709/200
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/44552 Conflict resolution, i.e. enabling coexistence of conflicting executables
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/54 Interprogram communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/51 Discovery or management thereof, e.g. service location protocol [SLP] or web services
• 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 707/922 Communications
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/966 Distributed
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99944 Object-oriented database structure

Abstract

The present invention provides a virtual network, sitting “above” the physical connectivity and thereby providing the administrative controls necessary to link various communication devices via an Access-Method-Independent Exchange. In this sense, the Access-Method-Independent Exchange can be viewed as providing the logical connectivity required. In accordance with the present invention, connectivity is provided by a series of communication primitives designed to work with each of the specific communication devices in use. As new communication devices are developed, primitives can be added to the Access-Method-Independent Exchange to support these new devices without changing the application source code. A Thread Communication Service is provided, along with a Binding Service to link Communication Points. A Thread Directory Service is available, as well as a Broker Service and a Thread Communication Switching Service. Intraprocess, as well as Interprocess, services are available. Dynamic Configuration Management and a Configurable Application Program Service provide software which can be commoditized, as well as upgraded while in operation.

Claims

1. A method to selectively use an Application Process of a first computer, to access information, and to access and interact with Minor Services accessible to said Application Process, wherein the Application Process uses one or more operating system communication primitives for communication connectivity and synchronization, and wherein said Application Process is a service provider application process executing on a computer system, and wherein a user application process is executing on a user computer system, said service provider application process being accessible to said user application process using a communication primitive the method comprising

a) selecting said Minor Services by chosen criteria;

b) connecting the Application Process with said selected Minor Services when the Application Process requires interaction with said selected Minor Services;

wherein;

c) said service provider application process communicates a registration request to said user application process,

d) said user application process communicates said communicated request to the user of said user application process,

e) said user responsive to said requests, communicates registration information to said user application process,

f) said user application process communicates said registration information to said service provider application process, and

g) said service provider application process registers said registration information as an entry in a service directory accessible to said service application process.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said registration information includes one or more of:

a) Textual description of the type of service

b) Communication mechanism used in establishing this service

c) Location of the service

d) Input types understood by the service

e) Output types generated by the service

f) Keyword search list used to locate this service entry

g) Token describing if the execution of the service can be started

h) Token describing the data representation in communication with the service

i) Token describing if the execution of the service must have previously been started

j) Token describing if Thread Communication Identifier is listed or unlisted

k) Token describing if a public connection to the service can be used

l) Token describing if a private connection to the service can be used

m) Token describing if a public connection is mandatory

n) Token describing if a private connection is mandatory

o) Token describing if the service is a component of a larger service

p) Shell actions to execute in initializing this service

q) The maximum number of concurrent communications

r) Licensing information

s) General user information

t) Link to additional Services required in using this service

u) Series of status information components including but not limited to security privileges and owner information

v) Thread Communication Identifier

w) Secondary Thread Service Directory

x) Usage Fee

y) Directory Service Fees.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said registration information includes general user information, said general user information including one or more of a user name, address, telephone number, beeper number, pager number, fax number, cellular number, email ID.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the communication primitives are provided by underlying operating system interfaces for communication connectivity and synchronization.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the communication primitive uses a protocol defining rules of the communication.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the application process uses physical connectivity to reach the minor service.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the minor services includes the communication primitives.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the application process uses standard input, standard output, and standard error file descriptors for communication with the minor service.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising the Application Process accessing and interacting with a thread communication service to communicate with a thread directory service.

10. A method to selectively use an Application Process of a first computer, to access information, and to access and interact with Minor Services accessible to said Application Process, wherein the Application Process uses one or more operating system communication primitives for communication connectivity and synchronization, and wherein said Application Process is a service provider application process executing on a computer system, and wherein a user application process is executing on a user computer system, said service provider application process being accessible to said user application process using a communication primitive the method comprising:

a) selecting said Minor Services by chosen criteria;

b) connecting the Application Process with said selected Minor Services when the Application Process requires interaction with said selected Minor Services;

wherein;

c) said user of said user application process communicates unique user identifiers to said user application process,

d) said user application process communicates said unique user identifiers to said service provider application process,

e) said service provider application process validates said user, and

f) said service provider application process selectively includes data to be sent to said user application process, said selection being based on one or more criteria, said criteria being which services are accessible to said user from said service provider application process.

11. A method to selectively use an Application Process of a first computer, to access information, and to access and interact with Minor Services accessible to said Application Process, wherein the Application Process uses one or more operating system communication primitives for communication connectivity and synchronization, and wherein said Application Process is a service provider application process executing on a computer system, and wherein a user application process is executing on a user computer system, said service provider application process being accessible to said user application process using a communication primitive the method comprising:

a) selecting said Minor Services by chosen criteria;

b) connecting the Application Process with said selected Minor Services when the Application Process requires interaction with said selected Minor Services;

wherein;

c) said user application process communicates data to said service provider application process, and

d) said service provider application process, responsive to receiving said data, communicates data to said user application process, wherein said data is formatted according to a data representation and said data includes one or more delineated sections of data, each said delineated section being identified by a first administrative information marking describing the start of said section, one or more criteria for including said section, data within said section, and a second administrative information marking describing the end of said section, wherein said criteria for including said data of said section depend on features of said user application process.

12. A method to selectively use an Application Process of a first computer, to access information, and to access and interact with Minor Services accessible to said Application Process, wherein the Application Process uses one or more operating system communication primitives for communication connectivity and synchronization, and wherein said Application Process is a service provider application process executing on a computer system, and wherein a user application process is executing on a user computer system, said service provider application process being accessible to said user application process using a communication primitive the method comprising:

a) selecting said Minor Services by chosen criteria;

b) connecting the Application Process with said selected Minor Services when the Application Process requires interaction with said selected Minor Services;

wherein;

c) said user application process communicates data to said service provider application process, and

d) said service provider application process, responsive to receiving said data, communicates data to said user application process, wherein said data is formatted according to a data representation and said data includes one or more delineated sections of data, each said delineated section being identified by a first administrative information marking describing the start of said section, one or more criteria for including said section, data within said section, and a second administrative information marking describing the end of said section, wherein said criteria for including said data of said section depend on features available to said user application process.

13. A method to selectively use an Application Process of a first computer, to access information, and to access and interact with Minor Services accessible to said Application Process, wherein the Application Process uses one or more operating system communication primitives for communication connectivity and synchronization, and wherein said Application Process is a service provider application process executing on a computer system, said service provider application process accessing and interacting with a thread directory service, and wherein a user application process is executing on a user computer system, said service provider application process being accessible to said user application process using a communication primitive the method comprising:

a) selecting said Minor Services by chosen criteria;

b) connecting the Application Process with said selected Minor Services when the Application Process requires interaction with said selected Minor Services;

wherein;

c) a user communicates a request for a listing of available services, said request being communicated to said user application process,

d) said user application process communicates said request to said service provider application process,

e) said thread directory service of said service provider application process, responsive to receiving said request, queries for registered service entries and communicates results of said query to said user application process, and

f) said user application process communicates said communicated results to said user.

14. A method to selectively use an Application Process of a first computer, to access information, and to access and interact with Minor Services accessible to said Application Process, wherein the Application Process uses one or more operating system communication primitives for communication connectivity and synchronization, and wherein said Application Process is a service provider application process executing on a computer system, said service provider application process accessing and interacting with a thread directory service, and wherein a user application process is executing on a user computer system, said service provider application process being accessible to said user application process using a communication primitive the method comprising:

a) selecting said Minor Services by chosen criteria;

b) connecting the Application Process with said selected Minor Services when the Application Process requires interaction with said selected Minor Services;

wherein;

c) a user communicates a request to access a service, said request being communicated to said user application process,

d) said user application process communicates said request to said server provider application process,

e) said thread directory service of said service provider application process, responsive to receiving said request, generates billing said user, and

f) said thread connection service of said service provider application process connects said user application process to said service.

15. A method to selectively use an Application Process of a first computer, to access information, and to access and interact with Minor Services accessible to said Application Process, wherein the Application Process uses one or more operating system communication primitives for communication connectivity and synchronization, and wherein said Application Process is a service provider application process executing on a computer system, said service provider application process accessing and interacting with a thread directory service, and wherein a user application process is executing on a user computer system, said service provider application process being accessible to said user application process using a communication primitive the method comprising:

a) selecting said Minor Services by chosen criteria;

b) connecting the Application Process with said selected Minor Services when the Application Process requires interaction with said selected Minor Services;

wherein;

c) a user of said user application process communicates a request to said user application process, said request being to purchase a minor service,

d) said user application process communicates said request to said service provider application process,

e) said thread directory service of said service provider application process, responsive to receiving said request, generates billing said user for said minor service, and

f) said user of said user application process gains access to said minor service.

16. A method to selectively use an Application Process of a first computer, to access information, and to access and interact with Minor Services accessible to said Application Process, wherein the Application Process uses one or more operating system communication primitives for communication connectivity and synchronization, and wherein said Application Process is a service provider application process executing on a computer system, said service provider application process accessing and interacting with a thread directory service, and wherein a user application process is executing on a user computer system, said service provider application process being accessible to said user application process using a communication primitive the method comprising:

a) selecting said Minor Services by chosen criteria;

b) connecting the Application Process with said selected Minor Services when the Application Process requires interaction with said selected Minor Services;

wherein;

c) said user of said user application process communicates a request to said user application process, said request being to purchase a component of software,

d) said user application process communicates said request to said service provider application process,

e) said thread directory service of said service provider application process, responsive to receiving said request, generates billing said user for said component of software, and

f) said user of said user application process installs said component of software.

17. A method to selectively use an Application Process of a first computer, to access information, and to access and interact with Minor Services accessible to said Application Process, wherein the Application Process uses one or more operating system communication primitives for communication connectivity and synchronization, and wherein id Application Process is a service provider application process executing on a computer system, said service provider application process accessing and interacting with a thread directory service, and wherein a user application process is executing on a user computer system, said service provider application process being accessible to said user application process using a communication primitive the method comprising:

a) selecting said Minor Services by chosen criteria;

b) connecting the Application Process with said selected Minor Services when the Application Process requires interaction with said selected Minor Services;

wherein;

c) said user of said user application process communicates a request to said user application process, said request being to purchase an application program,

d) said user application process communicates said request to said service provider application process,

e) said thread directory service of said service provider application process, responsive to receiving said request, locates said application program, generates billing said user for said application program, allows copying said application program to said user computer, and

f) said user of said user application process installs said application program.

18. A method to selectively use an Application Process of a first computer, to access information, and to access and interact with Minor Services accessible to said Application Process, wherein the Application Process uses one or more operating system communication primitives for communication connectivity and synchronization, and wherein said Application Process is a service provider application process executing on a computer system, said service provider application process accessing and interacting with a thread directory service, and wherein a user application process is executing on a user computer system, said service provider application process being accessible to said user application process using a communication primitive the method comprising:

a) selecting said Minor Services by chosen criteria;

b) connecting the Application Process with said selected Minor Services when the Application Process requires interaction with said selected Minor Services;

wherein;

c) said user communicates a request to connects to said service provider application process, said request being communicated to said user application process,

d) said user application process communicates said request to said service provider process,

e) said service provider process, responsive to said communication, communicates available components of software and fees for said components of software to said user application process,

f) said user application process communicates said communicated available components of software to said user,

g) said user purchases at least one of said components of software,

h) said service provider generates billing said user, and

i) said user installs said component of software.

19. A method to selectively use an Application Process of a first computer, to access information, and to access and interact with Minor Services accessible to said Application Process, wherein the Application Process uses one or more operating system communication primitives for communication connectivity and synchronization, and wherein said Application Process is a service provider application process executing on a computer system, said service provider application process accessing and interacting with a thread directory service, and wherein a user application process is executing on a user computer system, said service provider application process being accessible to said user application process using a communication primitive the method comprising:

a) selecting said Minor Services by chosen criteria;

b) connecting the Application Process with said selected Minor Services when the Application Process requires interaction with said selected Minor Services;

wherein;

c) said user communicates a request to connect to said service provider application process, said request being communicated to said user application process,

d) said user application process communicates said request to said service provider process,

e) said service provider process, responsive to said communication, communicates available services and fees to said user application process,

f) said user application process communicates said communicated services to said user,

g) said user communicates a request to purchase one of said services, said request being communicated to said user application process,

h) said user application process communicates said purchase request to said service provider application process,

i) said service provider application process generates billing said user for said service, and

j) said purchased service is made accessible to said user.

20. A method to selectively use an Application Process, to access information, and to access and interact with Minor Services accessible to said Application Process, wherein the Application Process uses one or more operating system communication primitives for communication connectivity and synchronization, wherein said Application Process is a user application process executing on a user computer system, and wherein a first service provider application process is executing on a second computer system, said service provider application process being accessible to said user application process using a communication primitive, and wherein a second service provider application process is executing on a third computer system, said service provider application process being accessible to said user application process using a communication primitive, the method comprising:

a) a user communicates a request to connect to said first service provider application process, said request being communicated to said user application process,

b) said first service provider application process communicates data to said user process, said data including one or more criteria for selecting a minor service installed on said user computer system,

c) said user application process, responsive to receiving said data, tries but fails to locate said minor service on said user computer system,

d) said user application process connects to said second service provider application process, and

e) said user application process communicates one or more criteria for selecting a minor service, said criteria being the criteria from step (b) hereinabove,

f) said second service provider application process communicates registered minor service entries satisfying said criteria, said communication being to said user application process, and

g) said user purchases and installs said minor service.

21. A method to selectively use an Application Process, to access information, and to access and interact with Minor Services accessible to said Application Process, wherein the Application Process uses one or more operating system communication primitives for communication connectivity and synchronization, wherein said Application Process is a user application process executing on a user computer system, and wherein a first service provider application process is executing on a second computer system, said service provider application process being accessible to said user application process using a communication primitive, and wherein a second service provider application process is executing on a third computer system, said service provider application process being accessible to said user application process using a communication primitive, the method comprising:

a) said user communicates a request to connect to a said first service provider application process, said request being communicated to said user application process,

b) said first service provider application process communicates data to said user process,

c) said data includes one or more criteria for selecting a component of software installed on said user computer system,

d) said user application process, responsive to receiving said data, tries but fails to locate said component of software on sad user computer system,

e) said user application process connect to said second service provider application process, and

f) said user application process communicates one or more criteria for selecting a component of software, said criteria being the criteria from step (b) hereinabove,

g) said second service provider application process communicates registered components of software entries satisfying said criteria, said communication being to said user application process, and

h) said user purchases and installs a component of software satisfying said criteria.

22. A method to selectively use an Application Process, to access information, and to access and interact with Minor Services accessible to said Application Process, wherein the Application Process uses one or more operating system communication primitives for communication connectivity and synchronization, wherein said Application Process is a user application process executing on a user computer system, and wherein a first service provider application process is executing on a second computer system, said service provider application process being accessible to sad user application process using a communication primitive, and wherein a second service provider application process is executing on a third computer system, said service provider application process being accessible to sad user application process using a communication primitive, the method comprising:

a) said user communicates a request to connect to a said first service provider application process, said request being communicated to said user application process,

b) said first service provider application process communicates data to said user process, said data including one or more criteria for selecting a component of software installed on said user computer system,

c) said user application process, responsive to receiving said data, tries but fails to locate said component of software on said user computer system,

d) said user application process connects to said second service provider application process,

e) said user application process communicates one or more criteria for selecting a component of software, said criteria being the criteria from step (b) hereinabove,

f) said second service provider application process communicates registered components of software entries satisfying said criteria, said communication being to said user application process, and

g) said user purchases and installs a component of software satisfying said criteria.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein said user application process connects to said installed component of software as a minor service of said user application process.

24. A method to selectively use an Application Process of a first computer, to access information, and to access and interact with Minor Services accessible to said Application Process, wherein the Application Process uses one or more operating system communication primitives for communication connectivity and synchronization, and wherein said Application Process is a user application process executing on a computer system, and wherein a service provider application process is executing on a second computer system, said service provider application process being accessible to said user application process using a communication primitive, and said user application process including at least one thread representative of a recorded representation for an application program distributed by said service provider, and wherein:

a) said user application process communicates to said service provider application process, said communication being a request for a listing of available services,

b) said service provider application process communicates said listing to said user application process, and

c) said user application process, responsive to receiving said communication, communicates said available services to said user of said user application process;

d) said user application process selects at least one of said services by chosen criteria; and

e) said user application process connects with said selected service when the user application process requires interaction with said selected service.

25. A method to selectively use an Application Process of a first computer, to access information, and to access and interact with Minor Services accessible to said Application Process, wherein the Application Process uses one or more operating system communication primitives for communication connectivity and synchronization, and wherein said Application Process is a user application process executing on a computer system, and wherein a service provider application process is executing on a second computer system, said service provider application process being accessible to said user application process using a communication primitive, and said user application process including at least one thread representative of a recorded representation for an application program distributed by said service provider and wherein:

a) said user application process communicates to said service provider application process, said communication being a request for a listing of available services,

b) said service provider application process communicates said listing to said user application process,

c) said user application process, responsive to receiving said communication, identifies which of said communicated services are not currently accessible to said user application process, and

d) said user application process communicates information about said not-currently-accessible services to said user of said user application process, said communication including descriptions of services and fees for said services.

26. A method to selectively use an Application Process of a first computer, to access information, and to access and interact with Minor Services accessible to said Application Process, wherein the Application Process uses one or more operating system communication primitives for communication connectivity and synchronization, and wherein said Application Process is a service provider application process executing on a computer system, said service provider application process interacting with a thread directory service, and wherein a user application process is executing on a second computer system, said service provider application process being accessible to said user application process using a communication primitive, and wherein:

a) said user application process provides a graphical display to said user, said graphical display including icons, and said icons providing a graphical representation for said user to select,

b) said user selects one said icon,

c) said user application process, responsive to said user selecting said icon, communicates to said service provider application process, said communication being a request for a listing of available services,

d) said service provider process, responsive to said communicated request, queries said thread directory service for available services, e) said service provider process communicates said available services to said user application process, said communication including text and graphics, and f) said user application process, responsive to said communicated communications, displays said communicated text and graphics.

27. A method to selectively use an Application Process of a first computer, to access information, and to access and interact with Minor Services accessible to said Application Process, wherein the Application Process uses one or more operating system communication primitives for communication connectivity and synchronization, and wherein said Application Process is a service provider application process executing on a computer system, said service provider application process interacting with a thread directory service, and wherein a user application process is executing on a second computer system, said service provider application process being accessible to said user application process using a communication primitive, wherein:

a) said user application process communicates a request to access a minor service to said service provider application process,

b) said service provider application process registers a disconnect from said minor service at a specified time,

c) said service provider application process connects to said minor service,

d) said service provider application process receives communications from said minor service and communicates said received communications to said user application process, and

e) said service provider application process disconnects from said minor service when said specified time occurs.

28. A method to selectively use an Application Process of a first computer, to access information, and to access and interact with Minor Services accessible to said Application Process, wherein the Application Process uses one or more operating system communication primitives for communication connectivity and synchronization, and wherein said Application Process is a service provider application process executing on a computer system, said service provider application process interacting with a thread directory service, and wherein a user application process is executing on a second computer system, said service provider application process being accessible to said user application process using a communication primitive, wherein:

a) a user of said user application process communicates a request to said user application process, said request being to access a minor or service,

b) said user application process communicates said request to said service provider application process,

c) said service provider application process responsive to receiving said request, determines said user does not have access to said requested minor service,

d) said service provider application process connects to a minor service for registering said user, and

e) said minor service communicates a registration information request to said user application process.

29. A method to selectively use an Application Process of a first computer, to access information, and to access and interact with Minor Services accessible to said Application Process, wherein the Application Process uses one or more operating system communication primitives for communication connectivity and synchronization, and wherein said Application Process is a service provider application process executing on a computer system, said service provider application process interacting with a thread directory service, and wherein a user application process is executing on a second computer system, said service provider application process being accessible to said user application process using a communication primitive, wherein

a) a user of said user application process communicates a request to said user application process, said request being to access a minor service,

b) said user application process communicates said request to said service provider application process,

c) said service provider application process responsive to receiving said request, determines that said user does not have access to said requested minor service,

d) said service provider application process communicates data to said user application, said data including a response and a request to access a second minor service of said service provider application process, said access to occur at a predefined time,

e) said user application process, responsive to receiving said communications, communicates said communications to said user, and

f) said user application process communicates a request to access said second minor service of said service provider application process when said predefined time expires.

30. A method to selectively use an Application Process of a first computer, to access information, and to access and interact with Minor ices accessible to said Application Process, wherein the Application Process uses one or more operating system communication primitives for communication connectivity and synchronization, and wherein said Application Process is a service provider application process executing on a computer system, said service provider application process interacting with a thread directory service, and wherein a user application process is executing on a second computer system, said service provider application process being accessible to stud user application process using a communication primitive, wherein:

a) a user of said user application process communicates a request to said user application process, said request being to access a minor service and said request including said user unique identifiers, said minor service being a broadcasting service for broadcasting audio,

b) said user application process communicates said request to said service provider application process,

c) said service provider application process, responsive to receiving said request, validates said user,

d) said service provider application process connects said requested minor service, and

e) said minor service broadcasts communications to said user application process.

31. A method to selectively use an Application Process of a first computer, to access information, and to access and interact with Minor Services accessible to said Application Process, wherein the Application Process uses one or more operating system communication primitives for communication connectivity and synchronization, and wherein said Application Process is a service provider application process executing on a computer system, said service provider application process interacting with a thread directory service, and wherein a user application process is executing on a second computer system, said service provider application process being accessible to said user application process using a communication primitive, wherein:

a) a user of said user application process communicates a request to said user application process, said request being to access a minor service and said request including a user unique identifier, said minor service being a broadcasting service for broadcasting video,

b) said user application process communicates said request to said service provider application process,

c) said service provider application process, responsive to receiving said request, validates said user, and

d) said service provider application process connects said requested minor service, whereby said minor service broadcasts communications to said user application process.

32. A method to selectively use an Application Process of a first computer, to access information, and to access and interact with Minor Services accessible to said Application Process, wherein the Application Process uses one or more operating system communication primitives for communication connectivity and synchronization, and wherein said Application Process is a service provider application process executing on a computer system, said service provider application process interacting with a thread directory service, and wherein a user application process is executing on a second computer system, said service provider application process being accessible to said user application process using a communication primitive, wherein:

a) a user of said user application process communicates a request to said user application process, said request being to access a minor service and said request including a user unique identifier, said minor service being a broadcasting service for broadcasting video and audio,

b) said user application process communicates said request to said service provider application process,

c) said service provider application process responsive to receiving said request, validates said user, and

d) said service provider application process connects said requested minor service, whereby said minor service broadcasts communications to said user application process.

33. A method to selectively use an Application Process of a first computer, to access information, and to access and interact with Minor Services accessible to said Application Process, wherein the Application Process uses one or more operating system communication primitives for communication connectivity and synchronization, and wherein said Application Process is a service provider application process executing on a computer system, said service provider application process interacting with a thread directory service, and wherein a user application process is executing on a second computer system, said service provider application process being accessible to said user application process using a communication primitive, wherein:

a) said user communicates a request to access said service provider application process, said communication being to said user application process,

b) said user application process communicates said request to said service provider application process,

c) said service provider application process, responsive to said request, communicates instructions for constructing and executing an application program, said instructions being sent to said user application process, and

d) said user application process, responsive to receiving said instructions, constructs and executes said application program as a process of said user application process.

34. A method to selectively use an Application Process of a first computer, to access information, and to access and interact with Minor Services accessible to said Application Process, wherein the Application Process uses one or more operating system communication primitives for communication connectivity and synchronization, and wherein said Application Process is a service provider application process executing on a computer system, said service provider application process interacting with a thread directory service, and wherein a user application process is executing on a second computer system, said service provider application process being accessible to said user application process using a communication primitive, wherein:

a) said service provider application process communicates a registration request to said user application process,

b) said user application process communicates said communicated request to the user of said user application process, wherein said registration request includes

(1) sending communication primitive and receiving communication primitive,

(2) location of service, and

(3) one or more of an

A) Attribute describing the characteristics of the machine

B) Attribute describing operating system

C) Attribute describing the underlying hardware

D) Attribute describing installed software,

E) Attribute describing access methods

F) Attribute describing physical execution environment

G) Attribute describing security requirements

H) Attribute describing default shell

I) Attribute with special meaning to an application process or user

J) Attribute describing maximum number of connections to the environment

K) Attribute describing the environment'"'"'s physical computer system

L) Attribute describing access method to physical computer system

M) Attribute describing functionality to be associated with the environment

N) Attribute describing the communication identifier describing the physical machine as a communication point of the thread communication service;

c) and said user, responsive to said requests, communicates registration information to said user application process,

d) said user application process communicates said registration information to said service provider application process, and

e) said thread communication service of said application process registers said registration information as an entry in a service directory accessible to said service application process.

35. A computer program product capable of selectively using an Application Process to access information, and to access and interact with Minor Services accessible to said Application Process, wherein said Application Process includes a communication primitive for sending and receiving communications through a communication service, the computer program product comprising:

a) code for selecting said Minor Services and one or more communication primitives by chosen criteria;

b) code for determining which of said selected Minor Services and communication primitives are presently loaded;

c) code for loading those of said selected Minor Services and said selected communication primitives that are not already loaded; and

d) code for connecting said Application Process with said loaded Minor Services using said loaded communication primitives, when the Application Process requires interaction with said selected Minor Services.

36. A method to provide Minor Services selectively accessed by an Application Process so that the Application Process may access information, and access and interact with the Minor Services, wherein said Application Process includes a communication primitive for sending and receiving communications through a communication service, the method comprising responding to the Application Process when the Application Process requires interaction with said selected Minor Services in response to:

providing said Minor Services for selection by the Application Process in combination with one or more communication primitives, selected by chosen criteria;

permitting the Application Process to determine which of said selected Minor Services and communication primitives are presently loaded;

allowing the Application Process to load those of said selected Minor Services and said selected communication primitives that are not already loaded; and

allowing the Application Process to connect with said loaded Minor Services using said loaded communication primitives, when the Application Process requires interaction with said selected Minor Services.

37. The method of claim 36 wherein the minor services includes the communication primitives.

38. The method of claim 36 wherein the application process uses standard input, standard output, and standard error file descriptors for communications.

39. A method to selectively use an Application Process of first a computer, to access information, and to access and interact with Minor Services accessible to said Application Process, wherein the Application Process uses one or more operating system communication primitives for communication connectivity and synchronization, the communication primitives providing means to establish a communication link, send data, receive data, and disconnect from the communication link, the method comprising:

a) selecting said Minor Services by chosen criteria; and

b) connecting the Application Process with said selected Minor Services when the Application Process requires interaction with said selected Minor Services.

40. A method to selectively use an Application Process of a first computer, to access information, and to access and interact with Minor Services accessible to said Application Process, wherein the Application Process uses one or more operating system communication primitives for communication connectivity and synchronization, the method comprising:

a) selecting said Minor Services by chosen criteria;

b) connecting the Application Process with said selected Minor Services when the Application Process requires interaction with said selected Minor Services;

c) said Application Process selecting one or more communication primitives by chosen criteria;

d) determining which of said selected communication primitives are not presently loaded; and

e) loading those of said selected communication primitives that are not presently loaded.