Method and apparatus for operating an open API network having a proxy

• US 8,001,555 B2
• Filed: 07/10/2008
• Issued: 08/16/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 01/26/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: RPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: Alcatel-Lucent SA (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: Panken, Franciscus Josephus Maria, Hellenthal, Jan Willem
• Primary Examiner(s): Nguyen; Van H
• Application Number:
  US12/170,584
• Publication Number:
  US 20080301294A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,132 Days
• Field of Search: 719/310, 719/317, 719/328, 709/217, 709/218, 709/219, 709/224
• US Class Current: 719/328
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/04 specially adapted for terminals or networks with limited capabilities; specially adapted for terminal portability
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/53 using third party service providers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols

Abstract

A telecommunication system, method, apparatus, and computer readable media that implements an open application program interface (API) system in which open API servers pass and receive API commands to applications through a novel proxy. The proxy assists implementing various management functions, such as assigning open API servers to application and monitoring the overall system, and service contract control, all beneficially in a transparent manner. The proxy enables the telecommunication system to handle geographically diverse applications and open API servers. All API command can, but need not, pass through the proxy.

Claims

1. An apparatus configured for use in a system comprising a telecommunication network, an open API server, and a proxy, the apparatus comprising:

a processor configured for;

receiving, at the proxy, application programming interface commands from the open API server;

monitoring a status of the system; and

selectively sending the application programming interface commands from the proxy to a first application or a second application;

wherein the first application or the second application to which the application programming interface commands are sent is dynamically selected based on the status of the system.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the proxy changes its selection based on a change to the system.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the proxy is transparent to the open API server.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the proxy is transparent to the selected application.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising input/output circuitry and a memory.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a memory for storing program information that at least partially controls the selection.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the open API server is configured to bypass the proxy and send another application programming interface command directly to one of a plurality of applications so as to prevent the proxy from being a communication bottleneck.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one other application bypasses the proxy and sends another application programming interface command directly to the open API server or another open API server.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the proxy blocks at least a portion of the application programming interface commands from propagating.

10. A method for use in a system comprising a telecommunication network, an open API server, and a proxy, the method comprising:

using a processor for;

receiving, at the proxy, application programming interface commands from the open API server;

monitoring a status of the system; and

selectively sending the application programming interface commands from the proxy to a first application or a second application,

wherein the first application or the second application to which the application programming interface commands are sent is dynamically selected based on the status of the system.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the selection is changed based on a change to the status of the system.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the proxy is transparent to the open API server.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the proxy is transparent to the selected application.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the proxy comprises input/output circuitry and a memory.

15. The method of claim 10, wherein the proxy comprises a computer readable media for storing program information that at least partially controls the selection.

16. The method of claim 10, wherein the open API server is configured to bypass the proxy and send another application programming interface command directly to one of a plurality of applications so as to prevent the proxy from being a communication bottleneck.

17. The method of claim 10, wherein at least one other application bypasses the proxy and sends another application programming interface command directly to the open API server or another open API server.

18. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

blocking at least a portion of the application programming interface commands from propagating.

19. A system, comprising:

a telecommunication network;

an open API server for sending and receiving application programming interface commands on the telecommunication network; and

a proxy for receiving the application programming interface commands from the open API server and for selectively sending the application programming interface commands to one of a first application or a second application;

wherein the proxy monitors the status of the system;

wherein the proxy dynamically selects thy one of the first application or second application based on the status of the system.