Method and systems of automated client-server data validation

• US 7,366,977 B2
• Filed: 01/30/2001
• Issued: 04/29/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/04/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Meta Platforms, Inc. (f/k/a Facebook, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AOL LLC (Apollo Global Management, Inc.)
• Inventors: Chokshi, Sandip
• Primary Examiner(s): Bashore; William
• Assistant Examiner(s): RUTLEDGE, AMELIA L
• Application Number:
  US10/203,016
• Publication Number:
  US 20030004951A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,646 Days
• Field of Search: 715/506, 715/505, 715/507, 715/508
• US Class Current: 715/209
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/174 Form filling; Merging
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 7/00 Methods or arrangements for processing data by operating upon the order or content of the data handled logic circuits H03K19/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 11/001 Texturing; Colouring; Generation of texture or colour inpainting G06T5/77
• CPC Class Codes: G06T 5/50 using two or more images, e.g. averaging or subtraction

Abstract

The present invention provides a way to validate data entry at both the client and the server with minimal engineering effort. The system allows the specification of data validation rules for a form on a server. The system provides a version of the rules with the form to the client computer. The system also executes the rules on the server for further validation. The system may translate the rules into JavaScript data structures, passed as the version to the client for client-side validation. Because the rules for the form are specific only once, there is no possibility of the rules becoming out of sync between the form on the client and on the server.

Claims

1. A method of using a form containing at least one form entry with at least one associated validation rule performing data validation by both a server computer and a client computer, comprising the steps of:

the client computer performing the steps of;

receiving a client form containing at least one client form entry with all associated local client rules based upon the form containing the at least one form entry with the at least one associated validation rule;

processing client data entry based upon the client form to create a client form data entry for the client form entry;

receiving a submission request from the client to create a form submission request;

validating the client form entry based upon all the associated local client rules to create a validated client form data entry whenever the client computer receives the form submission request, for each form entry with at least one associated validation rule contained in the form;

sending all of the validated client form data entries to the server computer to create the sent client form data entry for each form entry with at least one associated validation rule, whenever the client requests form submission and whenever all client form data entries satisfy all of the associated local client rules;

the server computer performing the steps of;

receiving the sent client form data entry for each form entry with at least one validation rule;

validating each of the sent client form data entries based upon all of the associated validation rules, for all form entries with at least one associated validation rule contained in the form, wherein said server computer validates each form entry previously validated on the client computer prior to submission,

wherein validation rules executed on said server computer are passed to said client computer so that said validation rules are in sync between said client computer and said server computer.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of the client computer receiving the client form further comprises the step of:

the client computer operating a browser downloading a web page based upon the form to create the client form containing a client form entry with all the associated local client rules, for each form entry with at least one associated validation rule contained in the form.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of the client computer receiving the client form further comprises the steps of:

the client computer receiving the step of the client computer processing client data entry based upon the client form;

the client computer receiving the step of the client computer receiving the submission request from the client;

the client computer receiving the step of the client computer validating the client form entry; and

the client computer receiving the step of the client computer sending all of the validated client form data entries.

4. A program system controlling a server computer communicating with a client computer to validate client data entry by both the client computer and by the server computer by performing the steps of claim 1 as program steps residing in memory accessibly coupled to at least one member of the collection comprising the server computer and the client computer.

5. A system for using a form containing at least one form entry with an associated validation rule to perform data validation, by both a server computer and by a client computer, comprising:

the server computer communicatively coupled to a client computer; and

a program system comprising the program steps residing in memory accessibly coupled to at least one member of the collection comprising the server computer and the client computer;

wherein the program system is comprised of program steps residing in memory accessibly coupled to the client computer of;

receiving a client form containing at least one client form entry with all associated local client rules based upon the form containing the at least one form entry with the at least one associated validation rule;

processing client data entry based upon the client form to create a client form data entry for the client form entry;

receiving a submission request from the client to create a form submission request;

validating the client form entry based upon all the associated local client rules to create a validated client form data entry whenever the client computer receives the form submission request, for each form entry with at least one associated validation rule contained in the form; and

sending all of the validated client form data entries to the server computer to create the sent client form data entry for each form entry with said at least one associated validation rule, whenever the client requests form submission and whenever all client form data entries satisfy all of the associated local client rules; and

wherein the program system is comprised of program steps residing in memory accessibly coupled to the server computer of;

receiving the sent client form data entry for each form entry with at least one validation rule; and

validating each of the sent client form data entries based upon all of the associated validation rules, for all form entries with said at least one associated validation rule contained in the form, wherein said server computer validates each form entry previously validated on the client computer prior to submission,

wherein validation rules executed on said server computer are passed to said client computer so that said validation rules are in sync between said client computer and said server computer.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the program step of the client computer receiving the client form further comprises the program step of:

the client computer operating a browser downloading a web page based upon the form to create the client form containing a client form entry with all the associated local client rules, for each form entry with at least one associated validation rule contained in the form.

7. The system of claim 5, wherein the program step of the client computer receiving the client form further comprises the program steps of:

the client computer receiving the program step of the client computer processing client data entry based upon the client form;

the client computer receiving the program step of the client computer receiving the submission request from the client;

the client computer receiving the program step of the client computer validating the client form entry; and

the client computer receiving the program step of the client computer sending all of the validated client form data entries.

8. A method of validating client data entry by a client computer and by a server computer based upon a form containing at least one form entry with at least one associated validation rule, comprising the steps of:

the client computer receiving the form entry and all of the associated validation rules contained in the form to create the client form entry with at least one associated local client rule;

the client computer processing the client form entry using the client data entry and satisfying all of the associated local client rules to create at least one client form data entry received by the server computer; and

the server computer validating each client form data entry received from the client computer based upon said all of the associated validation rules of the form entry contained in the form, wherein said server computer validates each form entry previously validated at said client computer prior to submission.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of the server computer validating each client form data entry received from the client computer further comprises the steps of:

the server computer receiving each client form data entry from the client computer; and

the server computer validating each client form data entry based upon all of the associated validation rules of the form entry contained in the form.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of the client computer processing the client form entry further comprises the steps of:

the client computer processing the client form entry based upon input from the client to create an initial client form data entry; and

the client computer sending the initial client form data entry to the server computer to create the client form data entry whenever the initial client form data entry satisfies all of the associated local client rules.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of the client computer sending each initial client form data entry to the server computer further comprises the steps of:

the client encrypting each initial client form data entry to create an encrypted data entry; and

the client sending each encrypted data entry to the server computer; and

wherein the step of the server computer receiving the client form data entry from the client computer is further comprised of the steps of;

the server receiving each encrypted data entry; and

the server computer decrypting each encrypted data entry to create a client form data entry.

12. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of:

a second server computer providing the client computer a version of the form entry and all of the associated validation rules; and

wherein the step of the client computer receiving the one form entry and all of the associated validation rules is further comprised of the step of;

the client computer receiving the version of the one form entry and all of the associated validation rules from the second server computer to create the client form entry with at least one associated local client rule.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of the second server computer providing the client computer the version further comprises the steps of:

the second server computer generating a version of all of the associated validation rules based upon the one form entry and all of the associated validation rules; and

the second server computer sending the version to the client computer to create all of the associated local client rules.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of the second server computer providing the client computer the client form entry further comprises the step of:

the second server computer providing the client computer the form entry and all the associated validation rules to create the client form entry with all the associated local client rules, for each of the form entries with at least one associated validation rules contained in the form.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the step of the client computer processing the client form entry further comprises the steps of:

the client computer receiving a submission request from the client to create a form submission request;

the client computer validating the client form entry based upon all of the associated local client rules to create a validated client form data entry, whenever the client computer receives the form submission request, for each form entry with at least one associated validation rule contained in the form; and

the client computer sending all of the validated client form data entries to the server computer to create all of the client form data entries for the form whenever the initial client form data entries satisfy all of the associated local client rules, for all of the at least one form entry with at least one associated validation rule contained in the form.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein a server system further contains the server computer and the second server computer.

17. The method of claim 12, further comprising the step of:

maintaining a form collection including at least one form comprised of at least one form entry with at least one associated validation rule.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of maintaining the form collection further comprises the steps of:

receiving a first form and specifying an associated validation rule set for the first form from a development computer; and

adding the first form and the associated validation rule set into the form collection;

wherein the method further comprises the steps of;

developing the first form and specifying an associated validation rule set for the first form; and

sending the first form and the associated validation rule set for addition into the form collection;

wherein the associated validation rule set is comprised of at least one associated validation rule; and

wherein each of the associated validation rules is associated with at least one form entry of the form collection.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the step of developing the first form and specifying the associated validation rule set for the first form further comprises the steps of:

maintaining a form entry collection containing at least one form entry; and

specifying the associated validation rule set based upon the form entry collection.

20. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of the client computer receiving the client form entry with all the associated local client rules further comprises the steps of:

the client computer receiving the one form entry to create the client form entry; and

the client computer receiving all of the associated validation rules to create all of the at least one local client rules associated with the client form entry.

21. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of the client computer receiving the client form entry further comprises the step of:

the client computer receiving the step of the client computer processing the client form entry.

22. The method of claim 8, wherein the step of the server computer validating the client form data entry further comprises the steps of:

the server computer receiving all of the associated server validation rules based upon the form entry with the at least one associated validation rule; and

the server computer validating the client form data entry based upon all of the associated server validation rules.

23. A program system controlling a server computer communicating with a client computer for validating client data entry by the client computer and by the server computer performing the steps of claim 8 as program steps residing in memory accessibly to at least one member of the collection comprising the server computer and the client computer.

24. A system of validating client data entry by a client computer and by a server computer based upon a form containing at least one form entry with at least one associated validation rule, comprising:

the server computer communicating with the client computer; and

a program system controlling the system is comprised of program steps in accessibly coupled memory of at least the members of the collection comprising the server computer and the client computer;

wherein the program system further comprises the program steps residing in accessibly coupled memory to the client computer of;

the client computer receiving the form entry and all of the associated validation rules contained in the form to create the client form entry with at least one associated local client rule;

the client computer processing the client form entry using the client data entry and satisfying all of the associated local client rules to create a client form data entry received by the server computer; and

wherein the program system further comprises the program step residing in accessibly coupled memory to the server computer of;

the server computer validating each client form data entry received from the client computer based upon said all of the associated validation rules of the form entry contained in the form, wherein said server computer validates each form entry previously validated on said client computer prior to submission.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein the program step of the server computer validating each client form data entry received from the client computer further comprises the program steps of:

the server computer receiving each client form data entry from the client computer; and

the server computer validating each client form data entry based upon all of the associated validation rules of the form entry contained in the form.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein the program step of the client computer processing the client form entry further comprises the program steps of:

the client computer processing the client form entry based upon input from the client to create an initial client form data entry; and

the client computer sending the initial client form data entry to the server computer to create the client form data entry whenever the initial client form data entry satisfies all of the associated local client rules.

27. The system of claim 26, wherein the program step of the client computer sending the initial client form data entry to the server computer further comprises the program steps of:

the client encrypting the initial client form data entry to create an encrypted data entry; and

the client sending the encrypted data entry to the server computer; and

wherein the program step of the server computer receiving the client form data entry from the client computer is further comprised of the program steps of;

the server receiving the encrypted data entry; and

the server computer decrypting the encrypted data entry to create the client form data entry.

28. The system of claim 24, further comprising:

a second server computer providing the client computer with a version of the form entry and all of the associated validation rules;

wherein the program system further comprises a program step residing in a memory accessibly coupled to the second server computer of;

a second server computer providing the client computer with a version of the form entry and all of the associated validation rules;

wherein the program step of the client computer receiving the one form entry and all of the associated validation rules is further comprised of the program step of;

the client computer receiving the version of the one form entry and all of the associated validation rules from the second server computer to create the client form entry with at least one associated local client rule.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein the program step of the second server computer providing the associated validation rule to the client further comprises the program steps of:

the second server computer generating a version of all of the associated validation rules based upon the one form entry and all of the associated validation rules; and

the second server computer sending the version to the client computer to create all of the associated local client rules.

30. The system of claim 28, wherein the program step of the second server computer providing the client computer the client form entry is further comprises the program steps of:

the second server computer providing the client computer the form entry and all the associated validation rules to create the client form entry with all the associated local client rules, for each of the form entries with at least one associated validation rules contained in the form.

31. The system of claim 30, wherein the program step of the client computer processing the client form entry further comprises the program steps of:

the client computer receiving a submission request from the client to create a form submission request;

the client computer validating the client form entry based upon all of the associated local client rules to create a validated client form data entry, whenever the client computer receives the form submission request, for each form entry with at least one associated validation rule contained in the form; and

the client computer sending all of the validated client form data entries to the server computer to create all of the client form data entries for the form whenever the initial client form data entries satisfy all of the associated local client rules, for all of the at least one form entry with at least one associated validation rule contained in the form.

32. The system of claim 28, further comprising:

a server system comprising the server computer and the second server computer.

33. The system of claim 28, wherein the program system further comprises the program step, residing in memory accessibly coupled to at least one server computer contained in the server system, of:

maintaining a form collection including at least one form comprised of at least one form entry with at least one associated validation rule.

34. The system of claim 33, further comprising:

a third server computer communicatively coupled with at least one server computer contained in the server system,

wherein the program step of maintaining the form collection is further comprised of the program step residing in memory accessibly coupled to the third server computer.

35. The system of claim 34, wherein the third server computer is contained in the server system.

36. The system of claim 33, wherein the program step of maintaining the form collection resides in a memory accessibly coupled to a third server computer.

37. The system of claim 33, wherein the program step of maintaining the form collection resides in a memory accessibly coupled to the server computer.

38. The system of claim 33, wherein the program step of maintaining the form collection further comprises the program steps of:

receiving a first form and specifying an associated validation rule set for the first form from a development computer; and

adding the first form and the associated validation rule set into the form collection; and

wherein the program system is further comprised of the program steps residing in memory accessibly coupled to the development computer of;

developing the first form and specifying an associated validation rule set for the first form; and

sending the first form and the associated validation rule set for addition into the form collection;

wherein the associated validation rule set is comprised of at least one associated validation rule; and

wherein each of the associated validation rules is associated with at least one form entry of the form collection.

39. The system of claim 38, wherein the program step of developing the first form and specifying the associated validation rule set further comprises the program steps of:

maintaining a form entry collection containing at least one form entry; and

specifying the associated validation rule set based upon the form entry collection.

40. The system of claim 24, wherein the program steps of the client computer processing the client form entry further comprises the program steps of:

the client computer processing the client form entry based upon input from the client to create an initial client form data entry; and

the client computer sending the initial client form data entry to the server system to create the client form data entry whenever the initial client form data entry satisfies all of the associated local client rules.

41. The system of claim 24, wherein the program system further comprises the program step of:

maintaining a form collection including at least one form comprised of at least one form entry with at least one associated validation rule.

42. The system of claim 24, wherein the program step of the client computer creating the client form entry with the at least one associated local client rule further comprises program steps of:

the client computer receiving the one form entry to create the client form entry; and

the client computer receiving all of the associated validation rules to create all of the at least one local client rules associated with the client form entry.

43. The system of claim 24, wherein the program step of the client computer receiving the client form entry further comprises the program step of:

the client computer receiving the program step of the client computer processing the client form entry.

44. The system of claim 24, wherein the program step of the server computer validating each client form data entry further comprises the program step of:

said server computer receiving all of the associated server validation rules based upon the form entry with the at least one associated validation rule; and

the server computer validating each client form data entry based upon all of the associated server validation rules.

45. The system of claim 44, wherein the program step of said server computer providing the server associated validation rule further comprises the program step of:

said server computer generating all of the server associated validation rules based upon all of the associated validation rules.

46. A method of validating client data entry by a client computer and by a server computer, comprising the steps of:

said client computer receiving a client form and associated local client rules and associated server rules from said server computer;

said client computer processing said client form with data entry;

validating on said client computer said data entry of said client form using said associated local client rules; and

said server computer validating using said server rules each data entry previously validated on said client form after transmission of said data entry to said server computer,

wherein said associated validation rules are passed between said server computer and said client computer,

wherein said associated validation rules are in sync between said client computer and said server computer.