Routing messages between applications

• US 9,467,405 B2
• Filed: 07/21/2015
• Issued: 10/11/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Salesforce.com, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Salesforce.com, Inc.
• Inventors: Brouk, Lev, Norton, Kenneth, Douglas, Jason, Panec, Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): SCOTT, RANDY A
• Application Number:
  US14/805,299
• Publication Number:
  US 20160028668A1
• Time in Patent Office: 448 Days
• Field of Search: 709/203, 709/206, 709/227, 709/228, 709/238
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/00 Routing or path finding of packets in data switching networks routing or path finding in wireless networks H04W40/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 45/70 Routing based on monitoring results
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/04 Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/046 Interoperability with other network applications or services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/10 in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network software deployment G06F8/60; multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/46
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/565 Conversion or adaptation of application format or content adding application control or application functional data H04L67/561
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/63 Routing a service request depending on the request content or context

Abstract

A system and method for enabling the interchange of enterprise data through an open platform is disclosed. This open platform can be based on a standardized interface that enables parties to easily connect to and use the network. Services operating as senders, recipients, and in-transit parties can therefore leverage a framework that overlays a public network.

Claims

1. A method for routing a message, the method comprising:

receiving, by a message routing system from a sending service, a message directed to a receiving service;

logically routing, by the message routing system, the message to a plurality of in-transit services, wherein during the logical routing each of the plurality of services modifies routing of the message or context of the message without physically receiving the message;

physically routing, by the message routing system, the message to a subset of in-transit services from the plurality of in-transit services, the physical routing determined based on the logical routing and comprising physical delivery of the message to each in-transit service of the subset; and

providing, by the message routing system, the message to the receiving service.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein during the logical routing an in-transit service from the plurality of in-transit services determines not to include itself in the physical routing of the message.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein logically routing the message comprises evaluating scripts defined by one or more of the plurality of services.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the message is physically routed through a routing network built on an open platform overlaying a public network.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein each in-transit service from the subset performs one or more of the following operations upon receiving the message:

transforming data of the message, enriching the message, cross-referencing data included in the message, and filtering the message.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein providing the message to the receiving service comprises storing the message in a queue, the message retrieved by the receiving service from the queue.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein providing the message to the receiving service comprises transmitting the message to the receiving service.

8. A computer program product for routing a message, the computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium containing computer program instructions for:

receiving, by a message routing system from a sending service, a message directed to a receiving service;

logically routing, by the message routing system, the message to a plurality of in-transit services, wherein during the logical routing each of the plurality of services modifies routing of the message or context of the message without physically receiving the message;

physically routing, by the message routing system, the message to a subset of in-transit services from the plurality of in-transit services, the physical routing determined based on the logical routing and comprising physical delivery of the message to each in-transit service from the subset; and

providing, by the message routing system, the message to the receiving service.

9. The computer program product of claim 8, wherein during the logical routing an in-transit service from the plurality of in-transit services determines not to include itself in the physical routing of the message.

10. The computer program product of claim 8, wherein logically routing the message comprises evaluating scripts defined by one or more of the plurality of services.

11. The computer program product of claim 8, wherein the message is physically routed through a routing network built on an open platform overlaying a public network.

12. The computer program product of claim 8, wherein each in-transit service from the subset performs one or more of the following operations upon receiving the message:

transforming data of the message, enriching the message, cross-referencing data included in the message, and filtering the message.

13. The computer program product of claim 8, wherein providing the message to the receiving service comprises storing the message in a queue, the message retrieved by the receiving service from the queue.

14. The computer program product of claim 8, wherein providing the message to the receiving service comprises transmitting the message to the receiving service.

15. A message routing system comprising:

one or more computer processors; and

a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium containing computer program instructions executed by the one or more computer processors for;

receiving, from a sending service, a message directed to a receiving service;

logically routing the message to a plurality of in-transit services, wherein during the logical routing each of the plurality of services modifies routing of the message or context of the message without physically receiving the message;

physically routing the message to a subset of in-transit services from the plurality of in-transit services, the physical routing determined based on the logical routing and comprising physical delivery of the message to each in-transit service from the subset; and

providing the message to the receiving service.

16. The message routing system of claim 15, wherein during the logical routing an in-transit service from the plurality of in-transit services determines not to include itself in the physical routing of the message.

17. The message routing system of claim 15, wherein logically routing the message comprises evaluating scripts defined by one or more of the plurality of services.

18. The message routing system of claim 15, wherein the message is physically routed through a routing network built on an open platform overlaying a public network.

19. The message routing system of claim 15, wherein each in-transit service from the subset performs one or more of the following operations upon receiving the message:

transforming data of the message, enriching the message, cross-referencing data included in the message, and filtering the message.

20. The message routing system of claim 15, wherein providing the message to the receiving service comprises transmitting the message to the receiving service or storing the message in a queue, wherein the message is retrieved by the receiving service from the queue.