Processing pipeline in a base services pattern environment

• US 6,715,145 B1
• Filed: 08/31/1999
• Issued: 03/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 08/31/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Accenture Global Services Limited (Accenture PLC)
• Original Assignee: Accenture LLP (Accenture PLC)
• Inventors: Bowman-Amuah, Michel K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Banankhah, Majid A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Vo, Lilian
• Application Number:
  US09/386,431
• Time in Patent Office: 1,673 Days
• Field of Search: 709/100, 709/101, 709/223, 709/316
• US Class Current: 718/101
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 8/20 Software design

Abstract

A system and method, are provided for structuring batch activities for simplified reconfiguration. A series of processing steps is prepared for performing on input objects being streamed into a batch processing system. Each of the processing steps is encapsulated within at least one of a plurality of filters. The input objects are received and processed in the filters. Results are delivered from the filters incrementally during the processing of the input objects for reducing latency and enabling parallel processing. Connectors are utilized for connecting at least two of the plurality of filters each having a processing step for creating a process. One of the two filters is an input filter of the process and the other of the two filters is an output filter of the process. Connectors are also used for connecting input and output filters of different processes for forming a scalable system.

Claims

1. A method for structuring batch activities for simplified reconfiguration, comprising the steps of:

(a) preparing to perform a series of processing steps on input objects being streamed into a batch processing system;

(b) encapsulating each of the processing steps within at least one of a plurality of filters;

(c) receiving and processing the input objects in at least one of the plurality of filters;

(d) delivering results from the plurality of filters incrementally during processing of the input objects for reducing latency and enabling parallel processing;

(e) utilizing connectors for connecting at least two of the plurality of filters each having a processing step for creating a process, wherein one of the two filters is an input filter of the process and the other of the two filters is an output filter of the process; and

(f) using connectors for connecting input and output filters of different processes for forming a scalable system.

2. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein there are several instances of a particular type of filter running in parallel.

3. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein a first portion of the plurality of filters are active and a second portion of the plurality of filters are passive, wherein the active filters pull input data and data is pushed into the passive filters.

4. A method as recited in claim 3, wherein the input filter of the process is an active filter and the remaining filters of the process are passive filters.

5. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein the connectors perform at least one of acting as a choke point for data to be pulled from a filter, connecting serial filters defined as independent processes, and multiplexing to demultiplexing from several filters of the same type running in parallel.

6. A method as recited in claim 1, wherein one of the plurality of filters is positioned between the input and output filters of the process for translating an output of the input filter into an input type of the output filter.

7. A computer program embodied on a computer readable medium for structuring batch activities for simplified reconfiguration, comprising:

(a) a code segment that prepares to perform a series of processing steps on input objects being streamed into a batch processing system;

(b) a code segment that encapsulates each of the processing steps within at least one of a plurality of filters;

(c) a code segment that receives and processing the input objects in at least one of the plurality of filters;

(d) a code segment that delivers results from the plurality of filters incrementally during processing of the input objects for reducing latency and enabling parallel processing;

(e) a code segment that utilizes connectors for connecting at least two of the plurality of filters each having a processing step for creating a process, wherein one of the two filters is an input filter of the process and the other of the two filters is an output filter of the process; and

(f) a code segment that uses connectors for connecting input and output filters of different processes for forming a scalable system.

8. A computer program as recited in claim 7, wherein there are several instances of a particular type of filter running in parallel.

9. A computer program as recited in claim 7, wherein a first portion of the plurality of filters are active and a second portion of the plurality of filters are passive, wherein the active filters pull input data and data is pushed into the passive filters.

10. A computer program as recited in claim 9, wherein the input filter of the process is an active filter and the remaining filters of the process are passive filters.

11. A computer program as recited in claim 7, wherein the connectors perform at least one of acting as a choke point for data to be pulled from a filter, connecting serial filters defined as independent processes, and multiplexing to demultiplexing from several filters of the same type running in parallel.

12. A computer program as recited in claim 7, wherein one of the plurality of filters is positioned between the input and output filters of the process for translating an output of the input filter into an input type of the output filter.

13. A system embodied on a computer readable medium for structuring batch activities for simplified reconfiguration, comprising:

(a) logic that prepares to perform a series of processing steps on input objects being streamed into a batch processing system;

(b) logic that encapsulates each of the processing steps within at least one of a plurality of filters;

(c) logic that receives and processing the input objects in at least one of the plurality filters;

(d) logic that delivers results from the plurality of filters incrementally during processing of the input objects for reducing latency and enabling parallel processing;

(e) logic that utilizes connectors for connecting at least two of the plurality of filters each having a processing step for creating a process, wherein one of the two filters is an input filter of the process and the other of the two filters is an output filter of the process; and

(f) logic that uses connectors for connecting input and output filters of different processes for forming a scalable system.

14. A system as recited in claim 13, wherein there are several instances of a particular type of filter running in parallel.

15. A system as recited in claim 13, wherein a first portion of the plurality of filters are active and a second portion of the plurality of filters are passive, wherein the active filters pull input data and data is pushed into the passive filters.

16. A system as recited in claim 15, wherein the input filter of the process is an active filter and the remaining filters of the process are passive filters.

17. A system as recited in claim 13, wherein the connectors perform at least one of acting as a choke point for data to be pulled from a filter, connecting serial filters defined as independent processes, and multiplexing to demultiplexing from several filters of the same type running in parallel.

18. A system as recited in claim 13, wherein one of the plurality of filters is positioned between the input and output filters of the process for translating an output of the input filter into an input type of the output filter.