Workflow manager for a distributed system
First Claim
1. An apparatus for transferring data and commands between a workflow-enabled client and a workflow-enabled provider, the apparatus comprising:
- a processor;
a registration module stored on a memory and executable by the processor, the registration module for registering the workflow-enabled client including receiving information and a parameter for execution of a workflow service, the registration module adapted for communication with the workflow-enabled client, generating a unique identifier and a location identifier, each of which is specific to the workflow-enabled client and sending the unique identifier and the location identifier to the workflow-enabled client;
a client response module stored on the memory and executable by the processor, the client response module for sending information or a result of the workflow service to the workflow-enabled client, the client response module adapted for communication with the workflow-enabled client;
a provider response module stored on the memory and executable by the processor, the provider response module for sending information received from the workflow-enabled client to the workflow-enabled provider, the provider response module adapted for communication with the workflow-enabled provider; and
an advertising module stored on the memory and executable by the processor, the advertising module for sending a message indicating a presence of a registered workflow-enabled client, the advertising module adapted for communication with a network and the workflow-enabled provider.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A workflow manager handles the communication between a workflow-enabled provider and a workflow-enabled client. The workflow manager maintains a directory of clients, translates a transaction from a provider into multiple transactions suitable for the client, and handles security. In one embodiment, the workflow manager connects with the workflow-enabled client by registration and with the workflow-enabled provider by advertising and activation. Subsequent communications between the workflow manager and the workflow-enabled provider and the workflow-enabled client are with a request/response protocol. The workflow manager also comprises data storage for storing data for transmission to the workflow-enabled client or the workflow-enabled provider, and workflow storage for storing information related to registered clients. The present invention also includes a number of novel methods including a method for a method for registering a client and a method for activating a provider.
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Citations
40 Claims
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1. An apparatus for transferring data and commands between a workflow-enabled client and a workflow-enabled provider, the apparatus comprising:
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a processor; a registration module stored on a memory and executable by the processor, the registration module for registering the workflow-enabled client including receiving information and a parameter for execution of a workflow service, the registration module adapted for communication with the workflow-enabled client, generating a unique identifier and a location identifier, each of which is specific to the workflow-enabled client and sending the unique identifier and the location identifier to the workflow-enabled client; a client response module stored on the memory and executable by the processor, the client response module for sending information or a result of the workflow service to the workflow-enabled client, the client response module adapted for communication with the workflow-enabled client; a provider response module stored on the memory and executable by the processor, the provider response module for sending information received from the workflow-enabled client to the workflow-enabled provider, the provider response module adapted for communication with the workflow-enabled provider; and an advertising module stored on the memory and executable by the processor, the advertising module for sending a message indicating a presence of a registered workflow-enabled client, the advertising module adapted for communication with a network and the workflow-enabled provider. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for transferring data and commands between a workflow-enabled client and a workflow-enabled provider, the method comprising:
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receiving a registration request from the workflow-enabled client; generating a unique identifier and a location identifier, each of which is specific to the workflow-enabled client; sending the unique identifier and the location identifier to the workflow-enabled client; broadcasting an advertisement for the registered workflow-enabled client on a network; receiving a request for workflow service information from the workflow-enabled provider; and sending a response to the workflow enabled provider according to the workflow service. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40)
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Specification