System and method for mapping of services

• US 20030018808A1
• Filed: 03/30/2001
• Published: 01/23/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Salesforce.com, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Salesforce.com, Inc.
• Inventors: Douglas, Jason, Norton, Kenneth, Panec, Peter, Brouk, Lev
• Granted Patent: US 7,788,399 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/238
• 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 message routing method, comprising:

(a) associating an identifier with an entity that has been authenticated by a message routing network, said identifier capable of being associated with an account upon authentication of said entity with a first service that supports said account;

(b) receiving, from a second service, a message including said identifier that is directed to a mapped service; and

(c) translating said message for delivery to said first service, said translated message including said identifier and being directed from said mapped service to said first service.

2. The message routing method of claim 1, wherein said identifier is a message routing network ID.

3. The message routing method of claim 2, wherein said identifier is a message routing network ID for said mapped service.

4. The message routing method of claim 1, further comprising the step of associating said identifier with an account upon authentication of said entity with said first service.

5. The message routing method of claim 1, wherein said translating comprises adding an identifier of said account to said message.

6. The message routing method of claim 1, wherein upon receipt of said translated message, said first service associates said identifier with said account based on a mapping internal to said first service.

7. The message routing method of claim 1, further comprising receiving a second message from said first service, said second message being directed to said mapped service.

8. The message routing method of claim 7, further comprising translating said second message for delivery to said second service.

9. A computer program product comprising:

computer-readable program code for causing a computer to associate an identifier with an entity that has been authenticated by a message routing network, said identifier capable of being associated with an account upon authentication of said entity with a first service that supports said account;

computer-readable program code for causing a computer to receive, from a second service, a message including said identifier that is directed to a mapped service;

computer-readable program code for causing a computer to translate said message for delivery to said first service, said translated message including said identifier and being directed from said mapped service to said first service; and

a computer-usable medium configured to store the computer-readable program codes.

10. A message routing system, comprising:

a message routing network that enables routing of a message between a first service and a second service, said message being associated with an account being supported by said second service, wherein said message routing network is operative to effect a virtual service through which said first service and said second service communicate, wherein implementation of said virtual service is supported by a mapping that associates said virtual service with said account.

11. The message routing system of claim 10, wherein said message includes an identifier that is associated with said account.

12. The message routing system of claim 10, wherein said mapping is stored by said message routing network.

13. The message routing system of claim 12, wherein said message routing network adds an identifier of said account to a message being delivered to said second service.

14. The message routing system of claim 10, wherein said mapping is stored by said second service.

16. The message routing method of claim 15, wherein said proxy service adds an account identifier to a message that is transmitted to said second application service provider.

15. A message routing method, comprising:

(a) providing a proxy service for messages transferred between a first application service provider and a second application service provider in a message routing network, said first application service provider and said second application service provider providing application services for an enterprise, said proxy service enabling said first application service provider to send information on behalf of said enterprise to said second application service provider without said first application service provider and said second application service provider having knowledge of each other.