Scriptable object model for network based services

• US 20080244514A1
• Filed: 03/29/2007
• Published: 10/02/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Watson, Eric B., Hilerio, Israel, Satkunanathan, Lingan, Ashkar, Shadi, Purchase, Gary
• Application Number:
  US11/731,206
• Publication Number:
  US 20080244514A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 717/115
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2209/5015 Service provider selection
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/5055 considering software capabilities, i.e. software resources associated or available to the machine
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/541 via adapters, e.g. between incompatible applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/51 Discovery or management thereof, e.g. service location protocol [SLP] or web services

Abstract

A scripting model may include links to web based services by including an interface associated with each web based service. The interface may perform various functions used to exchange information with a web based service, such as discovery, addressing, connection, configuration, authentication, and other functions. The web based service may be used in a similar manner as a local service within the scripting model, including automatic memory management, bounds checking, data translation, and other features of scripting.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving a function call for a service through a scripting interface, said service being provided over a network connection;

performing a connection function to connect to said service;

receiving input data from said scripting interface;

transmitting said input data to said service;

receiving output data from said service; and

transmitting said output data to said scriptable interface.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

performing a discovery function for said service to determine a network address for said service.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

performing an authentication function with said service.

4. The method of claim 1, said network connection comprising a connection through the Internet.

5. The method of claim 1, said service being a web-based service.

6. The method of claim 1, said scripting interface comprising a command line interface.

7. The method of claim 1, said scripting interface comprising an interpreter.

8. The method of claim 1, said scripting interface adapted to interpret a predefined script.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising translating said input data into a first data format, said first data format being compatible with said service.

10. The method of claim 1 further comprising translating said output data into a second data format, said second data format being compatible with said scriptable interface.

11. A computer readable medium comprising computer executable instructions adapted to perform the method of claim 1.

12. A scripting system comprising:

a scripting interface adapted to receive a script and interpret said script, said scripting interface being operable on a client device;

a service operable over a network connection, said service comprising;

an input function adapted to accept input data in a first predefined format; and

an output function adapted to transmit output data in a second predefined format; and

a connection module adapted to connect said client device to said service.

13. The scripting system of claim 12, said input function comprising a data translator adapted to operate on said client device.

14. The scripting system of claim 12, said first predefined format and said second predefined format being identical.

15. The scripting system of claim 12 further comprising an authentication module adapted to authenticate a user to said service.

17. The network-based service of claim 12, said client adapter further adapted to:

perform a discovery function for said service to determine a network address for said service.

18. The network-based service of claim 12, said client adapter further adapted to:

performing an authentication function with said service.

19. The network-based service of claim 12, said client adapter further adapted to:

translate said input data into a first data format, said first data format being compatible with said service.

20. The network-based service of claim 12, said client adapter further adapted to:

translate said output data into a second data format, said second data format being compatible with said scriptable interface.

16. A network-based service comprising:

an interface to a network;

an input function adapted to accept input data;

an output function adapted to transmit output data;

a client adapter for a scripting interface, said client adapter being operable on a client device and adapted to;

receive a function call for a service through a scripting interface, said service being provided over a network connection;

perform a connection function to connect to said service;

receive input data from said scripting interface;

transmit said input data to said service;

receive output data from said service; and

transmit said output data to said scriptable interface.