Execution of dynamically configured application service in access method-independent exchange

• US 6,671,713 B2
• Filed: 12/14/1998
• Issued: 12/30/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/12/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cappelle Networking DE LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Charles J. Northrup
• Inventors: Northrup, Charles J.
• Primary Examiner(s): JEAN, FRANTZ B
• Application Number:
  US09/211,263
• Publication Number:
  US 20030101211A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,842 Days
• Field of Search: 709/203, 709/105, 709/106, 709/107, 709/201, 709/204, 709/205
• US Class Current: 709/203
• 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. In the Internet network, a method for a service provider to provide a software service to users, the method comprising a multiplicity of computers, each computer having a communication device, and each computer having an operating system with interfaces for communication connectivity and synchronization, comprising:

a) a user process of a user computer having access to the Internet through a physical communication provider, uses an Internet protocol to connect to a service provider process executing on a service provider computer, the service provider process includes replacing a first minor service with a second minor service, wherein the first minor service communicates state information to the user process, and the user process communicates the state information to the second minor service;

b) the user process sends a communication to a service provider process;

c) the user process receives a response from the service provider process;

d) the user process disconnects from the communication with the service provider process; and

e) the user is billed for the service.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the user process causes an instance of the service to begin execution.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the service provider process is a dynamically configured service which provides a primary service and one or more minor services.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein:

a minor service is provided by a third process of a third computer of the network; and

the user process communicates with the minor service.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the service provider process includes an operation specification which includes information representative of an operation to be performed immediately.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the service provider process includes an operation specification which includes information representative of an operation to be performed at intervals of time.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the service provider process includes an operation specification which includes information representative of an operation to be performed as the result of communication of a specified event to the user process.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the service provider process includes an operation specification to locate a minor service.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the service provider process includes an operation specification to load a minor service.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the service provider process includes an operation specification to execute a minor service.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein:

the service provider process includes establishing a communication channel with a minor service; and

the user process communicates with the minor service.

12. The method of claim 1 wherein the service provider process includes suspending the execution of a minor service.

13. The method of claim 1 wherein the service provider process includes resuming the execution of a minor service.

14. The method of claim 1 wherein the service provider process includes unloading a minor service.

15. The method of claim 1 wherein the service provider process provides notification that an event has occurred.

16. The method of claim 1 wherein the user process and the second process communicate using the Internet Protocol.

17. The method of claim 1 wherein the request is sent using an industry standard protocol.

18. The method of claim 1 wherein the network is a commercial network.

19. The method of claim 3 wherein a component of software provides the minor service.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the component of software is stored in a shared library.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein the component of software is dynamically loaded.

22. The method of claim 19 wherein a thread of execution is created to execute the component of software.

23. The method of claim 3 wherein a process executing on a third computer provides a minor service.

24. In the Internet network comprising a multiplicity of computers, each computer having a communication device, and an operating system with interfaces for communication connectivity and synchronization, a method for a first process of an end user computer to configure a service, the method comprising:

the first process uses an operating system interface to receive a communication from a second process of a second computer of the network, the communication including a specification for the use of at least one service;

the first process disconnects from the communication with the second process; and

the first process accesses the specification and configures the use of said service.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein the specification is communicated to the first process according to a protocol.

26. The method of claim 25 wherein the second process executes on a second computer of the network.

27. The method of claim 26 wherein the specification is received using the Internet Protocol.

28. The method of claim 24 wherein the first process causes an instance of the service to begin execution in a separate address space.

29. The method of claim 24, wherein the first process is an application service providing a primary service and one or more minor services.

30. The method of claim 24 further comprising the use of a third process of a third computer of the network, the third process providing a minor service, wherein the first process communicates with the third process when the first process requires the use of the service provided by the third process.

31. The method of claim 24 wherein the specification includes information representative of an operation to be performed immediately.

32. The method of claim 24 wherein the specification includes information representative of an operation to be performed at a specified time, which may be an interval.

33. The method of claim 24 wherein the specification includes information representative of an operation to be performed as the result of an event.

34. The method of claim 24 wherein the specification includes information for locating a service.

35. The method of claim 24 wherein the specification includes instructions for loading a service.

36. The method of claim 24 wherein the specification includes instructions to execute a service.

37. The method of claim 24 wherein the specification includes at least one specification for communicating with a service.

38. The method of claim 24 further comprising converting at least a portion of the communication from a first data type to a second data type.

39. The method of claim 24 wherein the specification includes information for replacing a first service with a second service.

40. The method of claim 24 wherein the specification includes information for suspending the use of a service.

41. The method of claim 24 wherein the specification includes information for resuming the use of a service.

42. The method of claim 24 wherein the first process and the second process communicate using an industry standard protocol.

43. The method of claim 24 wherein the first process communicates using a hierarchy of protocols.

44. The method of claim 24 wherein the service is provided by a component of software stored in a shared library, and the first process uses one or more operating system interfaces to dynamically load the software into the address space of the process.

45. The method of claim 44 wherein a thread of execution is created to execute the component of software.

46. The method of claim 24 further comprising the use of a communication to initialize the state of the service.

47. The method of claim 24 further comprising registering the service as a communication point.

48. In the Internet network, a method for a service provider to provide a service to an end user of a user computer having access to the Internet through a physical communication provider, the method comprising a multiplicity of computers, each computer having a communication device, and each computer having an operating system with interfaces for communication connectivity and synchronization, comprising:

a first process of a user computer connects to a service provider process executing on a service provider computer;

the first process sends a request to the service provider service process, the request including criteria for selecting a service, and in response to receiving and accessing the communication, the service provider service provides the requested service;

the first process receives a response from the service provider process;

the first process disconnects from the communication with the service provider process; and

billing for the service.

49. The method of claim 48 wherein the service provider service selects at least one service satisfying the criteria, and causes an instance of the service to begin execution.

50. The method of claim 48 wherein the service provider service dynamically configures the service as providing a primary service and one or more minor services.

51. The method of claim 48 further comprising the service provider process communicating with a second service, in order to provide the service to the first process.

52. The method of claim 48 further comprising the use of a specification containing information representative of an operation to be performed immediately.

53. The method of claim 48 further comprising the use of a specification containing information representative of an operation to be performed at a specified time, which may be an interval.

54. The method of claim 48 further comprising the use of a specification containing information representative of an operation to be performed upon notification of an event.

55. The method of claim 48 further comprising the use of a specification to locate a service.

56. The method of claim 48 further comprising the use of a specification to load a service.

57. The method of claim 48 further comprising the use of a specification to execute a service.

58. The method of claim 48 further comprising:

the service provider service communicating communications from the user process to the service; and

the service provider service communicating communications from the service to the user process.

59. The method of claim 48 further comprising suspending the use of a service.

60. The method of claim 48 further comprising resuming the use of a previously suspended service.

61. The method of claim 48 further comprising replacing a first service with a second service.

62. The method of claim 48 further comprising the use of state information to initialize a service.

63. The method of claim 48 further comprising unloading a previously loaded service.

64. The method of claim 48 further comprising the use of at least one event to cause an operation to be performed.

65. The method of claim 48 wherein at least one input type understood by the requested service is not public information.

66. The method of claim 48 further comprising the service provider providing at least one component of software used by the first process.

67. The method of claim 48 wherein the criteria includes information to identify the user.

68. The method of claim 48 further comprising the use of a multiplicity of directory services.

69. The method of claim 48 wherein a component of software provides a service.

70. The method of claim 48 wherein the service provider process uses one or more operating system interfaces to dynamically load a component of software into address space of the first process.

71. The method of claim 70 wherein a thread of execution is created to execute the component of software.

72. The method of claim 48 wherein the service provider process communicates with a second service provider process on a third computer to provide the service.

73. The method of claim 48 further comprising the use of a service to provide an expanded description of a named representation.

74. The method of claim 48 further comprising the use of a service to associate a named representation with an entity providing a service.

75. The method of claim 48 further comprising the use of a hierarchy of protocols.

76. In the Internet a method for a service provider application service process executing on a service provider computer having an operating system with interfaces for communication connectivity and synchronization, and a communication device, to be responsive to a communication from a user application service process executing on an end user computer, the end user computer having an operating system with interfaces for communication connectivity and synchronization, a communication device, and physical communication to the Internet provided by a communication provider, the method comprising:

the service provider application service process receives a request communication communicated from the user application service process, the communication including information representative of criteria for selecting a service from a set of one or more registered services;

the service provider application service process accesses the request communication and interacts with the communication to select at least one accessible service satisfying the criteria;

the service provider application service process sends a response communication including information representative of the at least one accessible service, the response including the connectivity required to use the accessible service; and

the service provider application service process disconnects from the communication with the user application service.

77. In the Internet a method for a service provider application process executing on a service provider computer to be responsive to a communication from a user application process executing on an end user computer, the end user computer having an operating system with interfaces for communication connectivity and synchronization, a communication device, and physical connection to the network provided by a communication provider, the method comprising:

a) the service provider service application process receives a request communication communicated from the user application process, the communication including one or more unique identifiers assigned to the user during a subscription process;

b) the service provider application process accesses the request communication, validates the user, locates at least one accessible service, provides the requested service; and

c) the service provider application process disconnects from the communication with the user application process.

78. The method of claim 77 wherein the communication provider is at least one of:

a Regional Bell Operating Company,

a Long Distance Carrier,

a Cellular Network provider,

a signal-based communication provider,

a wireless communication provider, or

a cable industry communication provider.

79. In the Internet a method for a service provider application process executing on a service provider computer to be responsive to a request from a user application process executing on an end user computer, the end user computer having an operating system with interfaces for communication connectivity and synchronization, a communication device, and physical communication provided by a communication provider, the method comprising:

the service provider application process receives a request communication communicated from the user application process, the communication including information representative of criteria for selecting a service from a set of one or more registered services;

the service provider application process accesses the request communication and selects at least one accessible service satisfying the criteria; and

and in response thereto, the service provider application process provides the requested service.

80. The method of claim 79 wherein at least one input type understood by the service provider application process is not public information.

81. In the Internet, a method for a first service provider application service process executing on a first service provider computer to be responsive to a communication communicated from a second application service of a second computer of the network, the method comprising:

the first service provider application service receives a communication, and accesses the communication, the communication containing information representative of a request for a service;

and in response thereto, the first service provider application process uses one or more operating system interfaces to dynamically configure a service to satisfy the request.

82. The method of claim 81 wherein at least one input type understood by the service provider application process is not public information.

83. In the Internet, a method comprising:

a service provider application service executing on a service provider computer uses at least one operating system interface to receive a communication communicated from a user application process of an end user computer, said communication representative of a request for a service when an event occurs;

and in response thereto, the service provider process accesses the communication, records the request and provides a response communication intended for the user process; and

in response to the recorded event occurring, the service provider process provides the requested service.

84. The method of claim 83 wherein at least one input type understood by the service provider application process is not public information.

85. A system for a service provider to extend the service of an application program sold to an end user, for use with an end user computer, the end user computer having an operating system with interfaces for communication connectivity and synchronization, a communication device, and physical communication connectivity provided by a communication provider, the system comprising:

an application program configured to use one or more operating system interfaces for communication connectivity and synchronization to communicate with, and be responsive to received communications from, a service provided by the service provider if the service is available; and

a service configured for use on a service provider computer to be responsive to communications received from an application process, interact with the communication, and to send a response to the application process wherein the application process corresponds to said application program.

86. A system for a service provider to extend the services of software sold to an end user, for use with an end user computer, the end user computer having an operating system with interfaces for communication connectivity and synchronization, a communication device, and communication connectivity provided by a communication provider, the system comprising:

software configured by the service provider to use one or more operating system interfaces for communication connectivity and synchronization to communicate with, and be responsive to received communications from, the service provided by the service provider if the service is available, the received communication including instructions for using an accessible service; and

a service configured for use on the service provider computer to be responsive to communications received from an application process, interact with the communication, and to send a response to the application process to use an accessible service wherein the application process corresponds to said software.

87. The system of claim 86 wherein the accessible service provides a minor service to said application software, and wherein the accessible service is at least one of:

a function,

a thread,

a process,

a communication point providing a service,

a component of software,

a dynamically loadable object,

an operating system service, or

a service provided by at least one statement executed by a shell.

88. A system for a service provider to extend the services of software sold to an end user, for use with an end user computer, the end user computer having an operating system with interfaces for communication connectivity and synchronization, a communication device, and communication connectivity provided by a communication provider, the system comprising:

an application program configured to use a protocol to send a communication to, and receive a communication from, a service provider service if the service is available; and

a service configured for use on a service provider computer to be responsive to communications received from an application process, to interact with the communication, and to send a response to the application process including one or more statements for using at least one service, wherein the application process corresponds to said application program.

89. The system of claim 88 wherein the accessible service provides a minor service to said application process, and wherein the accessible service is at least one of

a function,

a thread,

a process,

a communication point providing a service,

a component of software,

a dynamically loadable object,

an operating system service, or

a service provided by at least one statement executed by a shell.