Implementing device support in a web-based enterprise application

• US 9,026,701 B2
• Filed: 12/30/2003
• Issued: 05/05/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 12/30/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Siebel Systems Inc. (Oracle Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Siebel Systems Inc. (Oracle Corporation)
• Inventors: Finnerty, Martin, Liou, Ming-Tao, Liu, Xia, Lan, Ying-Chieh, Wheadon, Blair T.
• Primary Examiner(s): LEE, CHUN KUAN
• Application Number:
  US10/748,352
• Publication Number:
  US 20070239911A1
• Time in Patent Office: 4,144 Days
• Field of Search: 710/8, 710/62, 710/65
• US Class Current: 710/65
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/025 for remote control or remote monitoring of applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/08 Protocols for interworking; Protocol conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/085 specially adapted for interworking of IP-based networks with other networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/32 Architecture of open systems interconnection [OSI] 7-layer type protocol stacks, e.g. the interfaces between the data link level and the physical level

Abstract

A method, system, application programming interface, and computer program product that enable enterprise data management application programs to request input/output services from a device manager controlling devices. The device manager operates in a heterogeneous environment including incompatible devices provided by multiple vendors. These requests, and responses from the device manager to the enterprise data management application program, are communicated in a markup language format, rather than in a device-specific native language. This structure enables the vendor of the enterprise data management application program to send requests for services, including both data and instructions to use specialized features of a device, without the need to change the enterprise data management application program to support device-specific native languages.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving a first request, wherein

the first request is a request to provide a requested service,

the requested service is one of a plurality of services,

the first request conforms to a request format defined in a first language,

the first request is received by a module configured to receive the first request from a plurality of source types, and

the plurality of source types comprises

an applet executing on a first remote network node, and

a control module executing on a second remote network node;

parsing the first request by providing the first request to a language parser, wherein

the language parser is configured to parse the first language;

obtaining results of parsing the first request from the language parser;

in response to the obtaining the results, selecting a first device, wherein

the selecting comprises

determining whether the first device is coupled to the language parser, and

in response to a determination that the first device is not coupled to the language parser,

adding the first device to a plurality of devices coupled to the language parser; and

coupling the first device to the language parser, wherein

 

the first device is configured to provide the requested service,

each of the plurality of devices is configured to provide a corresponding service of the plurality of services, and

at least two devices among the plurality of devices are configured to provide the requested service; and

converting the first request to a second request, wherein

the second request conforms to a request format defined in a second language,

the first device is configured to provide the requested service in response to receiving the second request,

a language-specific interface of each device of the plurality of devices is incompatible with a language-specific interface of each other device of the plurality of devices, and

the each other device of the plurality of devices are those devices of the plurality of devices other than the each device.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

directing the second request to the first device.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein

the first language is a markup language, and

the second language is a device-specific language of a plurality of device-specific languages, wherein

each of the plurality of devices communicates using a corresponding one of the plurality of device-specific languages, and

each corresponding one of the plurality of device-specific languages corresponds to a one of a plurality of language-specific interfaces.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein the request formats comprise:

at least one instruction, and

data to be used when performing the at least one instruction.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising:

specifying the use of a specific feature of the first device, wherein

the specifying the use of the specific feature comprises specifying an optional variable and providing a value for the optional variable, and

the converting the first request to the second request comprises

including the optional variable in the at least one instruction of the second request, and

including the value for the optional variable in the data of the second request.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

sending a response to the first request, wherein

the response conforms to a response format defined in the first language.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the response format comprises:

at least one instruction; and

data to be used when performing the at least one instruction.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein

the plurality of source types comprises a magnetic card reader.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a third request to provide a second requested service, wherein

the third request conforms to the request format defined in the first language,

the receiving the third request is performed by the module,

providing the third request to the language parser;

obtaining results of parsing the third request from the language parser;

selecting a second device of the plurality of devices to provide the second requested service, wherein

the selecting the second device is performed in response to the obtaining the results of parsing the third request; and

converting the third request to a fourth request, wherein

the fourth request conforms to a request format defined in a third language,

the second device is configured to provide the second requested service in response to receiving the fourth request, and

at least one of the plurality of devices is configured to receive requests only in a format that is incompatible with the request format defined in the third language.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least two devices configured to provide the requested service comprise:

the first device, wherein

the first device is configured to provide the requested service, and

the first device comprises a first application program interface (API) configured to receive instructions in a first device-specific native language; and

a second device, wherein

the second device is configured to provide the requested service,

the second device comprises a second API configured to receive instructions in a second device-specific native language,

the second device-specific native language is distinct from the first device-specific native language, and

the second device is configured to receive requests only in a format that is incompatible with the request format defined in the second language.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least two devices configured to provide the requested service comprise:

the first device, wherein

the first device is produced by a first vendor; and

a second device, wherein

the second device is produced by a second vendor, and

the second vendor is distinct from the first vendor.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein

the second request conforms to requests generated using a dynamic link library (DLL) provided by the first vendor, and

the second device is incompatible with requests generated using the DLL provided by the first vendor.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein

at least one of the plurality of devices is configured to receive requests conforming only to another request format,

the another request format is defined in a third language, and

the second language and the third language are incompatible with one another.

14. A system comprising:

receiving means for receiving a first request, wherein

the first request is a request to provide a requested service,

the requested service is one of a plurality of services,

the first request conforms to a request format defined in a first language,

the receiving means is configured to receive the first request from a plurality of source types, and

the plurality of source types comprises an applet executing on a first remote network node, and a control module executing on a second remote network node;

parsing means for parsing the first request, wherein

the parsing means is configured to parse the first language;

obtaining means for obtaining results from the parsing means;

selecting means, responsive to the obtaining means, for selecting a first device, wherein

the selecting means comprises

determining means for determining whether the first device is coupled to a language parser, and

in response to a determination that the first device is not coupled to the language parser,

adding means for adding the first device to a plurality of devices coupled to the language parser; and

coupling means for coupling the first device to the language parser, wherein

 

the first device is configured to provide the requested service,

each of the plurality of devices is configured to provide a corresponding service of the plurality of services, and

at least two devices among the plurality of devices are configured to provide the requested service; and

converting means for converting the first request to a second request, wherein

the second request conforms to a request format defined in a second language,

the first device is configured to provide the requested service in response to receiving the second request,

a language-specific interface of each device of the plurality of devices is incompatible with a language-specific interface of each other device of the plurality of devices, and

the each other device of the plurality of devices are those devices of the plurality of devices other than the each device.

15. The system of claim 14, further comprising:

directing means for directing the second request to the first device.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the request formats comprise:

at least one instruction, and

data to be used when performing the at least one instruction.

17. The system of claim 16, further comprising:

first including means for including an optional variable in the at least one instruction of the second request; and

second including means for including a value of the optional variable in the data of the second request, wherein

the optional variable and the value specify use of a specific feature of the first device.

18. The system of claim 14, further comprising:

sending means for sending a response to the first request, wherein

the response conforms to a response format defined in the first language.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the response format comprises:

at least one instruction; and

data to be used when performing the at least one instruction.

20. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium comprising:

receiving instructions to receive a first request, wherein

the first request is a request to provide a requested service,

the first request conforms to a request format defined in a first language,

the receiving instructions are further configured to receive the first request from a plurality of source types, and

the plurality of source types comprises an applet executing on a first remote network node, and a control module executing on a second remote network node;

providing instructions for providing the first request to a language parser, wherein

the language parser is configured to parse the first language;

obtaining instructions for obtaining results of parsing the first request from the language parser;

selecting instructions for selecting, in response to the obtaining instructions obtaining the results, a first device, wherein

the selecting instructions comprise

determining instructions for determining whether the first device is coupled to the language parser, and

in response to a determination that the first device is not coupled to the language parser,

adding instructions for adding the first device to a plurality of devices coupled to the language parser; and

coupling instructions for coupling the first device to the language parser, wherein

 

the first device is configured to provide the requested service,

each of the plurality of devices is configured to provide a corresponding service of a plurality of services, and

at least two devices among the plurality of devices are configured to provide the requested service; and

converting instructions to convert the first request to a second request in a request format defined in a second language, wherein

the second request conforms to the second language,

the first device is configured to provide the requested service in response to receiving the second request,

a language-specific interface of each device of the plurality of devices is incompatible with a language-specific interface of each other device of the plurality of devices, and

the each other device of the plurality of devices are those devices of the plurality of devices other than the each device.

21. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 20, further comprising:

directing instructions to direct the second request to the first device.

22. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 21, wherein the request formats comprise:

at least one instruction, and

data to be used when performing the at least one instruction.

23. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 22, further comprising:

first including instructions to include an optional variable in the at least one instruction of the second request; and

second including instructions to include a value of the optional variable in the data of the second request, wherein

the optional variable and the value specify use of a specific feature of the first device.

24. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 20, further comprising:

sending instructions for sending a response to the first request, wherein

the response conforms to a response format defined in the first language.

25. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of claim 24, wherein the response format comprises:

at least one instruction; and

data to be used when performing the at least one instruction.

26. A computer system comprising:

a processor configured to execute instructions;

a communications interface, coupled to the processor, wherein

the communications interface is configured to allow a plurality of devices to be coupled to the computer system, and

each device is configured to perform a corresponding service of a plurality of services; and

a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium, coupled to the processor, and having the instructions encoded therein, wherein

the instructions comprise

receiving instructions for receiving a first request, wherein

the first request is a request to receive a request to provide a requested service,

the requested service is one of the plurality of services,

the first request conforms to a request format defined in a first language,

the receiving instructions are further configured to receive the first request from a plurality of source types,

the plurality of source types comprises an applet executing on a first remote network node, and a control module executing on a second remote network node, and

at least two devices of the plurality of devices provide the service;

providing instructions for providing the first request to a language parser, wherein

the language parser is configured to parse the first language;

obtaining instructions to obtain results of parsing the first request from the language parser;

identifying instructions for identifying, in response to the obtaining instructions obtaining the results, a first device, wherein

the identifying instructions comprise

 

determining instructions for determining whether the first device is coupled to the language parser, and

 

in response to a determination that the first device is not coupled to the language parser,

 

adding instructions for adding the first device to a plurality of devices coupled to the language parser; and

 

coupling instructions for coupling the first device to the language parser, and

the first device is configured to provide the requested service; and

converting instructions to convert the first request to a second request in a second language, wherein

the second request conforms to a request format defined in the second language,

the first device is configured to provide the service in response to receiving the second request,

a language-specific interface of each device of the plurality of devices is incompatible with a language-specific interface of each other device of the plurality of devices, and

the each other device of the plurality of devices are those devices of the plurality of devices other than the each device.

27. The computer system of claim 26, wherein the instructions further comprise:

directing instructions to direct the second request to the first device.

28. The computer system of claim 27, wherein the request format comprises:

at least one instruction and

data to be used when performing the at least one instruction.

29. The computer system of claim 28, wherein the instructions further comprise:

first including instructions to include an optional variable in the at least one instruction of the second request; and

second including instructions to include a value of the optional variable in the data of the second request, wherein

the optional variable and the value specify use of a specific feature of the first device.

30. The computer system of claim 27, wherein the instructions further comprise:

sending instructions for sending a response to the first request.

31. The computer system of claim 30, wherein

the response conforms to a response format defined in the first language.

32. The computer system of claim 31, wherein

the response format comprises:

at least one instruction; and

data to be used when performing the at least one instruction.

33. A system comprising:

a receiving module configured to receive a first request, wherein

the first request is a request to provide a requested service,

the requested service is one of a plurality of services,

the first request conforms to a request format defined in a first language,

the receiving module is further configured to receive the first request from a plurality of source types,

the plurality of source types comprises an applet executing on a first remote network node, and a control module executing on a second remote network node,

at least two devices of a plurality of devices are configured to provide the service, and

the plurality of devices is coupled to the system;

a language parsing module configured to parse the first language, wherein

the first request is provided to the language parsing module;

an identifying module configured to identify a first device, wherein

the identifying module comprises

determining instructions for determining whether the first device is coupled to a language parser, and

in response to a determination that the first device is not coupled to the language parser,

adding instructions for adding the first device to a plurality of devices coupled to the language parser; and

coupling instructions for coupling the first device to the language parser, and

the first device is configured to provide the requested service; and

a converting module configured to convert the first request to a second request in a second language, wherein

the second request conforms to a request format defined in the second language,

the first device is configured to provide the service in response to receiving the second request,

a language-specific interface of each device of the plurality of devices is incompatible with a language-specific interface of each other device of the plurality of devices, and

the each other device of the plurality of devices are those devices of the plurality of devices other than the each device.

34. The system of claim 33, further comprising:

a directing module to direct the second request to the first device.

35. The system of claim 34, wherein the request formats comprise

at least one instruction, and

data to be used when performing the at least one instruction.

36. The system of claim 35, further comprising:

a first including module to include an optional variable in the at least one instruction of the second request; and

a second including module to include a value of the optional variable in the data of the second request, wherein

the optional variable and the value specify use of a specific feature of the first device.

37. The system of claim 33, further comprising:

a sending module for sending a response to the first request, wherein

the response conforms to a response format defined in the first language.

38. The system of claim 37, wherein

the response format comprises:

at least one instruction; and

data to be used when performing the at least one instruction.