External interface for requesting data from remote systems in a generic fashion

• US 6,961,708 B1
• Filed: 08/25/2000
• Issued: 11/01/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: S Aqua Semiconductor LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Computer Sciences Corporation (DXC Technology Company)
• Inventors: Bierenbaum, Steven E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Trammell, James P.
• Assistant Examiner(s): CHEUNG, MARY DA ZHI WANG
• Application Number:
  US09/648,655
• Time in Patent Office: 1,894 Days
• Field of Search: 705 8- 9, 705/35, 707100-104, 345734-745, 345/866, 709200-217
• US Class Current: 715/204
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/02 Banking, e.g. interest calculation or account maintenance credit or loans G06Q40/03

Abstract

A system, method and carrier medium for communicating between a Financial Service Organization (FSO) computer system and a computer system external to the FSO in a generic fashion. For each direction of a message (i.e., outbound from the FSO computer system or inbound to the FSO computer system), two templates are constructed and subsequently stored in a database. The first type of template is the message template; the second type of template is the message layout template. The outbound message template represents outbound messages; the inbound message template represents inbound messages. The outbound message layout template represents outbound message layouts; the inbound message layout template represents inbound message layouts. An outbound message represents a request for FSO data from an external computer system to be used in a FSO computer system for processing a FSO transaction between a FSO and a FSO customer. An inbound message represents a receipt of FSO data from an external computer system to be used in the FSO computer system for processing a FSO transaction between a FSO and a FSO customer. The corresponding message layouts represent graphical presentations of the outbound and inbound messages. A strategy design template represents a process for processing the FSO transaction between the FSO and the FSO customer. A first channel template represents a first channel wherein the first channel represents a means for transmitting data to and from the external computer system.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

displaying a first outbound message template on a display screen, wherein the first outbound message template represents a first outbound message, wherein the first outbound message represents a request for financial service organization data to be used in a financial service organization computer system for processing a financial service organization transaction between a financial service organization and a financial service organization customer, wherein the first outbound message is configured for transmission between the financial service organization computer system and an external computer system that stores the financial service organization data, and wherein the external computer system is in data communication with the financial service organization computer system;

displaying a list of outbound data elements on the display screen, wherein each outbound data element represents data necessary to access the financial service organization data from the external computer system;

selecting a first outbound data element from the displayed list of outbound data elements;

adding the selected first outbound data element to the first outbound message template;

storing the first outbound message template in a database after the selected first outbound data element is added to the first outbound message template;

displaying a first channel template on a display screen, wherein the first channel template represents a first channel, wherein the first channel represents a means for transmitting data to and from the external computer system, and wherein the first channel is configured for transmitting data between the financial service organization computer system and the external computer system that stores the financial service organization data;

specifying a first translator on the first channel template wherein the first translator is configured to convert the first outbound message template to a format recognizable to the external computer system; and

storing the first channel template in the database after the first translator is specified on the first channel template.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein adding comprises dragging and dropping the selected first outbound data element.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying a first inbound message template on the display screen, wherein the first inbound message template represents a first inbound message wherein the first inbound message contains financial service organization data to be used in the financial service organization computer system for processing the financial service organization transaction between the financial service organization and the financial service organization customer, wherein the first inbound message is configured for transmission between the external computer system that stores the financial service organization data and the financial service organization computer system, and wherein the external computer system is in data communication with the financial service organization computer system;

displaying a list of inbound data elements on the display screen, wherein each inbound data element represents financial service organization data retrieved from the external computer system based on the data sent to the external computer system;

selecting a first inbound data element from the displayed list of inbound data elements;

adding the selected first inbound data element to the first inbound message template;

storing the first inbound message template in the database after the selected first inbound data element is added to the first inbound message template.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein adding the selected first inbound data element to the first inbound message template comprises dragging and dropping the selected first inbound data element.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying an outbound message layout template on the display screen, wherein the outbound message layout template represents a graphical presentation of the outbound message;

displaying a list of outbound layout elements on the display screen;

selecting a first outbound layout element from the displayed list of outbound data elements;

adding the selected first outbound layout element to the outbound message layout template;

storing the outbound message layout template in the database after the selected first outbound layout element is added to the outbound message layout template.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

displaying an inbound message layout template on the display screen, wherein the inbound message layout template represents a graphical presentation of the inbound message;

displaying a list of inbound layout elements on the display screen;

selecting the first inbound layout element from the displayed list of inbound data elements;

adding the selected first inbound layout element to the inbound message layout template;

storing the inbound message layout template in the database after the selected first inbound layout element is added to the inbound message layout template.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying a strategy design template on the display screen, wherein the strategy design template represents a process for processing the financial service organization transaction between the financial service organization and the financial service organization customer, the process comprising a plurality of tasks, wherein the tasks are executed in a sequential order;

displaying a plurality of tasks on the display screen;

selecting a first of the plurality of displayed tasks;

adding the selected first task to the process;

storing the strategy design template in the database after the selected first task is added to the strategy design template.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein adding the selected first task to the process further comprises:

inserting the selected first task either before or after an existing ordered task of the plurality of ordered tasks;

displaying a plurality of pairs of outbound and inbound template message identifiers on the display screen, wherein the plurality of pairs of outbound and inbound template message identifiers comprise a first pair of outbound and inbound template message identifiers wherein the first pair of outbound and inbound template message identifiers represent the first outbound message request and the first inbound message receipt;

selecting the first pair of outbound and inbound template message identifiers;

adding the selected first pair of outbound and inbound template message identifiers to the selected first task;

storing the selected first task in the database after the first pair of outbound and inbound template message identifiers is added to the selected first task.

9. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

displaying a plurality of channels on the display screen;

selecting the first channel of the plurality of channels;

adding the selected first channel to the selected first task;

storing the selected first task in the database after the first channel is added to the selected first task.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising specifying a first queue handler on the first channel template wherein the first queue handler when contained in the first channel is configured to move translated messages between a financial service organization computer system queue and an external computer system queue.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the financial service organization transaction further comprises an application for a financial service organization product or service.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the financial service organization transaction further comprises one or more actions to be taken by the financial service organization in response to a customer'"'"'s delinquency status relating to an existing financial service organization product or service.

13. A system comprising:

a network;

a CPU coupled to the network;

a system memory coupled to the CPU, wherein the system memory stores one or more computer programs executable by the CPU;

wherein the computer programs are executable to;

display a first outbound message template on a display screen, wherein the first outbound message template represents a first outbound message, wherein the first outbound message represents a request for financial service organization data to be used in a financial service organization computer system for processing a financial service organization transaction between a financial service organization and a financial service organization customer, wherein the first outbound message is configured for transmission between the financial service organization computer system and an external computer system that stores the financial service organization data, and wherein the external computer system is in data communication with the financial service organization computer system;

display a list of outbound data elements on the display screen, wherein each

outbound data element represents data necessary to access the financial service organization data from the external computer system;

select a first outbound data element from the displayed list of outbound data elements;

add the selected first outbound data element to the first outbound message template;

store the first outbound message template in a database after the selected first outbound data element is added to the first outbound message template;

display a first channel template on a display screen, wherein the first channel template represents a first channel, wherein the first channel represents a means for transmitting data to and from the external computer system, and wherein the first channel is configured for transmitting data between the financial service organization computer system and the external computer system that stores the financial service organization data;

specify a first translator on the first channel template wherein the first translator is configured to convert the first outbound message template to a format recognizable to the external computer system; and

store the first channel template in the database after the first translator is specified on the first channel template.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the computer programs are further executable to:

display a first inbound message template on the display screen, wherein the first inbound message template represents a first inbound message wherein the first inbound message represents a receipt of financial service organization data to be used in the financial service organization computer system for processing the financial service organization transaction between the financial service organization and the financial service organization customer, wherein the first inbound message is configured for transmission between the external computer system that stores the financial service organization data and the financial service organization computer system, and wherein the external computer system is in data communication with the financial service organization computer system;

display a list of inbound data elements on the display screen, wherein each inbound data element represents financial service organization data retrieved from the external computer system based on the data sent to the external computer system;

select a first inbound data element from the displayed list of inbound data elements;

add the selected first inbound data element to the first inbound message template;

store the first inbound message template in the database after the selected first inbound data element is added to the first inbound message template.

15. The system of claim 13, wherein the computer programs are further executable to:

display an outbound message layout template on the display screen, wherein the outbound

message layout template represents a graphical presentation of the outbound message;

display a list of outbound layout elements on the display screen;

select the first outbound layout element from the displayed list of outbound layout elements;

add the selected first outbound layout element to the outbound message layout template;

store the outbound message layout template in the database after the selected first outbound layout element is added to the outbound message layout template.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the computer programs are further executable to:

display an inbound message layout template on the display screen, wherein the inbound message layout template represents a graphical presentation of the inbound message;

display a list of inbound layout elements on the display screen;

select the first inbound layout element from the displayed list of inbound layout elements;

add the selected first inbound layout element to the inbound message layout template;

store the inbound message layout template in the database after the selected first inbound layout element is added to the inbound message layout template.

17. The system of claim 13, wherein the computer programs are further executable to:

display a strategy design template on the display screen, wherein the strategy design template represents a process for processing the financial service organization transaction between the financial service organization and the financial service organization customer, the process comprising a plurality of tasks, wherein the tasks are executed in a sequential order;

display a plurality of tasks on the display screen;

select a first of the plurality of displayed tasks;

add the selected first task to the process;

store the strategy design template in the database after the selected first task is added to the strategy design template.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein in adding the selected first task to the process, the computer programs are further executable to:

insert the selected first task either before or after an existing ordered task of the plurality of ordered tasks;

display a plurality of pairs of outbound and inbound template message identifiers on the display screen, wherein the plurality of pairs of outbound and inbound template message identifiers comprise a first pair of outbound and inbound template message identifiers wherein the first pair of outbound and inbound template message identifiers represent the first outbound message request and the first inbound message receipt;

select the first pair of outbound and inbound template message identifiers;

add the selected first pair of outbound and inbound template message identifiers to the selected first task;

store the selected first task in the database after the first pair of outbound and inbound template message identifiers is added to the selected first task.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the computer programs are further executable to:

display a plurality of channels on the display screen;

select the first channel of the plurality of channels;

add the selected first channel to the selected first task;

store the selected first task in the database after the first channel is added to the selected first task.

20. The system of claim 13, wherein the computer programs are further executable to specify a first queue handler on the first channel template wherein the first queue handler when contained in the first channel is configured to move translated messages between a financial service organization computer system queue and an external computer system queue.

21. A carrier medium which stores program instructions, wherein the program instructions are executable to implement:

displaying a first outbound message template on a display screen, wherein the first outbound message template represents a first outbound message wherein the first outbound message represents a request for financial service organization data to be used in a financial service organization computer system for processing a financial service organization transaction between a financial service organization and a financial service organization customer, wherein the first outbound message is configured for transmission between the financial service organization computer system and an external computer system that stores the financial service organization data, and wherein the external computer system is in data communication with the financial service organization computer system;

displaying a list of outbound data elements on the display screen, wherein each outbound data element represents data necessary to access the financial service organization data from the external computer system;

selecting a first outbound data element from the displayed list of outbound data elements;

adding the selected first outbound data element to the first outbound message template;

storing the first outbound message template in a database after the selected first outbound data element is added to the first outbound message template;

displaying a first channel template on a display screen, wherein the first channel template represents a first channel, wherein the first channel represents a means for transmitting data to and from the external computer system, and wherein the first channel is configured for transmitting data between the financial service organization computer system and the external computer system that stores the financial service organization data;

specifying a first translator on the first channel template wherein the first translator is configured to convert the first outbound message template to a format recognizable to the external computer system; and

storing the first channel template in the database after the first translator is specified on the first channel template.

22. The carrier medium of claim 21, wherein the program instructions are further executable to implement:

displaying a first inbound message template on the display screen, wherein the first inbound message template represents a first inbound message wherein the first inbound message represents a receipt of financial service organization data to be used in the financial service organization computer system for processing the financial service organization transaction between the financial service organization and the financial service organization customer, wherein the first inbound message is configured for transmission between the external computer system that stores the financial service organization data and the financial service organization computer system, and wherein the external computer system is in data communication with the financial service organization computer system;

displaying a list of inbound data elements on the display screen, wherein each inbound data element represents financial service organization data retrieved from the external computer system based on the data sent to the external computer system;

selecting a first inbound data element from the displayed list of inbound data elements;

adding the selected first inbound data element to the first inbound message template;

storing the first inbound message template in the database after the selected first inbound data element is added to the first inbound message template.

23. The carrier medium of claim 22, wherein the program instructions are further executable to implement:

displaying an outbound message layout template on the display screen, wherein the outbound message layout template represents a graphical presentation of the outbound message;

displaying a list of outbound layout elements on the display screen;

selecting the first outbound layout element from the displayed list of outbound layout elements;

adding the selected first outbound layout element to the outbound message layout template;

storing the outbound message layout template in the database after the selected first outbound layout element is added to the outbound message layout template.

24. The carrier medium of claim 23, wherein the program instructions are further executable to implement:

displaying an inbound message layout template on the display screen, wherein the inbound message layout template represents a graphical presentation of the inbound message;

displaying a list of inbound layout elements on the display screen;

selecting the first inbound layout element from the displayed list of inbound layout elements;

adding the selected first inbound layout element to the inbound message layout template;

storing the inbound message layout template in the database after the selected first inbound layout element is added to the inbound message layout template.

25. The carrier medium of claim 21, wherein the program instructions are further executable to implement:

displaying a strategy design template on the display screen, wherein the strategy design template represents a process for processing the financial service organization transaction between the financial service organization and the financial service organization customer, the process comprising a plurality of tasks, wherein the tasks are executed in a sequential order;

displaying a plurality of tasks on the display screen;

selecting a first of the plurality of displayed tasks;

adding the selected first task to the process;

storing the strategy design template in the database after the selected first task is added to the strategy design template.

26. The carrier medium of claim 25, wherein in adding the selected first task to the process, the program instructions are further executable to implement:

inserting the selected first task either before or after an existing ordered task of the plurality of ordered tasks;

displaying a plurality of pairs of outbound and inbound template message identifiers on the display screen, wherein the plurality of pairs of outbound and inbound template message identifiers comprise a first pair of outbound and inbound template message identifiers wherein the first pair of outbound and inbound template message identifiers represent the first outbound message request and the first inbound message receipt;

selecting the first pair of outbound and inbound template message identifiers;

adding the selected first pair of outbound and inbound template message identifiers to the selected first task;

storing the selected first task in the database after the first pair of outbound and inbound template message identifiers is added to the selected first task.

27. The carrier medium of claim 25, wherein the program instructions are further executable to implement:

displaying a plurality of channels on the display screen;

selecting the first channel of the plurality of channels;

adding the selected first channel to the selected first task;

storing the selected first task in the database after the first channel is added to the selected first task.

28. The carrier medium of claim 21, wherein the program instructions are further executable to implement:

specifying a first queue handler on the first channel template wherein the first queue handler when contained in the first channel is configured to move translated messages between a financial service organization computer system queue and an external computer system queue.