Client-specified display services in a distributed computing environment

• US 6,898,618 B1
• Filed: 10/19/2000
• Issued: 05/24/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Oracle America, Inc. (Oracle Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Sun Microsystems Incorporated (Oracle Corporation)
• Inventors: Slaughter, Gregory L., Saulpaugh, Thomas E., Duigou, Michael J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Alam, Hosain
• Assistant Examiner(s): LAZARO, DAVID R
• Application Number:
  US09/693,297
• Time in Patent Office: 1,678 Days
• Field of Search: 709/203, 709/206, 709/222, 709/227, 709/230, 709/217, 709/225
• US Class Current: 709/203
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/465 Distributed object oriented systems remote method invocation [RMI] G06F9/548
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/08 for authentication of entities cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/0823 using certificates cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication involving certificates H04L9/3263
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/126 the source of the received data
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/02 based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/51 Discovery or management thereof, e.g. service location protocol [SLP] or web services
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/53 using third party service providers

Abstract

Various embodiments of a mechanism for a client to specify a display service to be used by a service for displaying data for the client in a distributed computing environment are described. A display service on or associated with the device on which the client resides that the client wishes to use to display the results of the service. When the client runs the service, the client may send a message to the service specifying the service advertisement of the client'"'"'s display service. The service may then generate a message channel that allows it to send messages to the client'"'"'s display service. Thus, when displaying results, the service invoked by the client becomes a client of the client'"'"'s display service and sends its results, directly or by reference, for display to that display service.

Claims

1. A method for displaying results data in a distributed computing environment, comprising:

establishing a first messaging channel between a client and a first service in the distributed computing environment;

the client sending a first message to the first service on the first messaging channel, wherein the first message specifies a display service advertisement for enabling access to a display service associated with the client, wherein the display service advertisement comprises a data representation language message schema comprising descriptions of one or more data representation language messages for sending data to the display service;

the first service accessing the display service advertisement as specified in the first message;

the first service establishing a second messaging channel between the first service and the display service in accordance with the display service advertisement; and

the first service generating one or more data representation language messages in accordance with the descriptions of the one or more data representation language messages from the data representation language schema, wherein the one or more data representation language messages include data for the client.

2. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the first messaging channel is configured to pass messages in a data representation language between the client and the first service, and wherein the second messaging channel is configured to pass messages in the data representation language between the first service and the display service.

3. The method as recited in claim 2, wherein the data representation language is extensible Markup Language (XML).

4. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

the first service sending the one or more data representation language messages to the display service on the second messaging channel; and

the display service displaying the data from the one or more data representation language messages on a display of the client.

5. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the first service establishing a second messaging channel comprises the first service generating a first service message endpoint, wherein the first service message endpoint is configured to send messages to and receive messages from a display service message endpoint of the display service.

6. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

the display service receiving the one or more data representation language messages from the first service; and

the display service displaying the data included in the one or more representation language data messages on a display of the client.

7. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the display service advertisement further comprises:

an address for the display service to receive messages in the distributed computing environment;

wherein the method further comprises the first service sending the one or more data representation language messages to the address for the display service to receive messages.

8. The method as recited in claim 7, wherein the address is a Uniform Resource Identifier (URI).

9. The method as recited in claim 1, further comprising:

the client sending a second message to the first service on the first messaging channel, wherein the second message requests the first service to perform a function on behalf of the client; and

the first service performing the function as requested by the client, wherein said performing the function produces results data.

10. The method as recited in claim 9, further comprising:

the first service sending one or more results data messages to the display service on the second messaging channel, wherein the one or more results data messages include the results data produced by said performing the function; and

the display service displaying the results data from the one or more results data messages on a display of the client.

11. The method as recited in claim 9, further comprising the first service storing the results data on a results space in the distributed computing environment.

12. The method as recited in claim 9, further comprising:

the first service sending a results message to the display service on the second messaging channel, wherein the results message specifies a results advertisement for accessing the results data stored on the results space;

the display service accessing the results data from the results space in accordance with the results advertisement; and

the display service displaying the results data on a display of the client.

13. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the display service advertisement is on a storage device in the distributed computing environment, wherein the first message includes information for accessing the display service advertisement on the storage device through a space service.

14. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein the first service accessing the display service advertisement comprises accessing the display service advertisement from the storage device through the space service.

15. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the display service advertisement is an extensible Markup Language (XML) document.

16. The method as recited in claim 1, wherein the client is executing within a first device in the distributed computing environment, and wherein the display service is executing within a second device in the distributed computing environment.

17. A distributed computing system, comprising:

a first device configured to provide a first service accessible within the distributed computing system; and

a second device configured to;

provide a display service accessible within the distributed computing system; and

provide a client process accessible within the distributed computing system;

wherein the client process is configured to;

establish a first messaging channel between the client process and the first service in the distributed computing environment; and

send a first message to the first service on the first messaging channel, wherein the first message specifies a display service advertisement for enabling access to the display service, wherein the display service advertisement comprises a data representation language message schema comprising descriptions of one or more data representation language messages for sending data to the display service;

wherein the first service is configured to;

access the display service advertisement as specified in the first message;

establish a second messaging channel between the first service and the display service in accordance with the display service advertisement; and

generate one or more data representation language messages in accordance with descriptions of the one or more data representation language messages from the data representation language message schema, wherein the one or more data representation language messages include data for the client process.

18. The system as recited in claim 17, wherein the first messaging channel is configured to pass messages in a data representation language between the client process and the first service, and wherein the second messaging channel is configured to pass messages in the data representation language between the first service and the display service.

19. The system as recited in claim 18, wherein the data representation language is extensible Markup Language (XML).

20. The system as recited in claim 17,

wherein the second device comprises a display;

wherein the first service is further configured to send the one or more data representation language messages to the display service on the second messaging channel; and

wherein the display service is further configured to display the data for the client process from the one or more data representation language messages on the display of the second device.

21. The system as recited in claim 17, wherein, in said establishing a second messaging channel, the first service is further configured to generate a first service message endpoint, wherein the first service message endpoint is configured to send messages to and receive messages from the display service.

22. The system as recited in claim 17,

wherein the second device comprises a display;

wherein the display service is further configured to;

receive the one or more data representation language messages; and

display the data included in the one or more data representation language messages on the display of the second device.

23. The system as recited in claim 17, wherein the display service advertisement further comprises:

an address for the display service to receive messages in the distributed computing environment;

wherein the first service is further configured to send the one or more data message to the address for the display service to receive messages.

24. The system as recited in claim 17, wherein the address is a Uniform Resource Identifier (URI).

25. The system as recited in claim 17,

wherein the client process is further configured to send a second message to the first service on the first messaging channel, wherein the second message requests the first service to perform a function on behalf of the client process;

and

wherein the first service is further configured to perform the function as requested by the client process, wherein said performing the function produces results data.

26. The system as recited in claim 25,

wherein the second device comprises a display;

wherein the first service is further configured to send one or more results data messages to the display service on the second messaging channel, wherein the one or more results data messages include the results data produced by said performing the function; and

wherein the display service is further configured to display the results data from the one or more results data messages on the display of the second device.

27. The system as recited in claim 25, further comprising:

a third device configured to provide a results space service accessible within the distributed computing system;

wherein the second device comprises a display;

wherein the first service is further configured to;

store the results data on the third device through the results space service;

send a results message to the display service on the second messaging channel, wherein the results message specifies a results advertisement for accessing the results data stored on the third device;

wherein the display service is further configured to;

access the results data from the third device through the results space service in accordance with the results advertisement; and

display the results data on the display of the second device.

28. The system as recited in claim 17, further comprising:

a fourth device configured to provide a space service accessible within the distributed computing system, wherein the display service advertisement is stored on the fourth device;

wherein the first message includes information for accessing the display service advertisement on the fourth device through the space service; and

wherein, in accessing the display service advertisement, the first service is further configured to access the display service advertisement from the fourth device through the space service.

29. A distributed computing system, comprising:

a first device configured to provide a first service accessible within the distributed computing system;

a second device configured to provide a display service accessible within the distributed computing system; and

a client device, configured to;

establish a first messaging channel between the client device and the first service in the distributed computing environment; and

send a first message to the first service on the first messaging channel, wherein the first message specifies a display service advertisement for enabling access to the display service, wherein the display service advertisement comprises a data representation language message schema comprising descriptions of one or more data representation language messages for sending data to the display service;

wherein the first service is configured to;

access the display service advertisement as specified in the first message; and

establish a second messaging channel between the first service and the display service in accordance with the display service advertisement; and

generate one or more data representation language messages in accordance with descriptions of the one or more data representation language messages from the data representation language message schema, wherein the one or more data representation language messages include data for the client device.

30. The system as recited in claim 29,

wherein the second device comprises a display;

wherein the first service is further configured to send the one or more data representation language messages to the display service on the second messaging channel; and

wherein the display service is further configured to display the data for the client device from the one or more data representation language messages on the display of the second device.

31. The system as recited in claim 29,

wherein the second device comprises a display;

wherein the display service is further configured to;

receive the one or more data representation language messages; and

display the data included in the one or more data representation language messages on the display of the second device.

32. The system as recited in claim 29, wherein the display service advertisement further comprises:

an address for the display service to receive messages in the distributed computing environment;

wherein the first service is further configured to send the one or more data message to the address for the display service to receive messages.

33. The system as recited in claim 32, wherein the address is a Uniform Resource Identifier (URI).

34. The system as recited in claim 29,

wherein the client device is further configured to send a second message to the first service on the first messaging channel, wherein the second message requests the first service to perform a function on behalf of the client device;

and

wherein the first service is further configured to perform the function as requested by the client device, wherein said performing the function produces results data.

35. The system as recited in claim 34,

wherein the second device comprises a display;

wherein the first service is further configured to send one or more results data messages to the display service on the second messaging channel, wherein the one or more results data messages include the results data produced by said performing the function; and

wherein the display service is further configured to display the results data from the one or more results data messages on the display of the second device.

36. The system as recited in claim 34, further comprising:

a third device configured to provide a results space service accessible within the distributed computing system;

wherein the second device comprises a display;

wherein the first service is further configured to;

store the results data on the third device through the results space service;

send a results message to the display service on the second messaging channel, wherein the results message specifies a results advertisement for accessing the results data stored on the third device;

wherein the display service is further configured to;

access the results data from the third device through the results space service in accordance with the results advertisement; and

display the results data on the display of the second device.

37. The system as recited in claim 29, further comprising:

a fourth device configured to provide a space service accessible within the distributed computing system, wherein the display service advertisement is stored on the fourth device;

wherein the first message includes information for accessing the display service advertisement on the fourth device through the space service;

wherein, in accessing the display service advertisement, the first service is further configured to access the display service advertisement from the fourth device through the space service.

38. A device, comprising:

a display service accessible within a distributed computing system; and

a client process accessible within the distributed computing system;

wherein the client process is configured to;

establish a first messaging channel between the client process and a first service in the distributed computing environment; and

send a first message to the first service on the first messaging channel, wherein the first message specifies a display service advertisement for enabling access to the display service, wherein the display service advertisement comprises a data representation language message schema comprising descriptions of one or more data representation language messages for sending data to the display service;

wherein the first service is operable to establish a second messaging channel between the first service and the display service in accordance with the display service advertisement; and

generate one or more data representation language messages in accordance with descriptions of the one or more data representation language messages from the data representation language message schema, wherein the one or more data representation language messages include data for the client process.

39. The device as recited in claim 38,

wherein the device further comprises a display;

wherein the display service is configured to;

receive the one or more data representation language messages on the second messaging channel, wherein the data for the client process included in the one or more data representation language messages is generated by the first service for the client process; and

display the data received in the one or more data representation language messages on the display of the device.

40. The device as recited in claim 38,

wherein the device further comprises a display;

wherein the client process is further configured to send a second message to the first service on the first messaging channel, wherein the second message requests the first service to perform a function on behalf of the client process; and

wherein the display service is further configured to display results data on the display, wherein the first service performing the function generates the results data, and wherein the results data are received in one or more results data messages sent to the display service by the first service on the second messaging channel.

41. The device as recited in claim 38, further comprising:

wherein the device further comprises a display;

wherein the client process is further configured to send a second message to the first service on the first messaging channel, wherein the second message requests the first service to perform a function on behalf of the client process; and

wherein the first service performing the function for the client generates results data, wherein the first service stores the results data to a results space, and wherein the display service is further configured to;

access the results data from the results space; and

display the results data for the client on the display of the device.

42. A device, comprising:

a display; and

a display service accessible within a distributed computing system;

wherein the display service is configured to provide a display service advertisement for enabling access to the display service to a client in the distributed computing environment, wherein the display service advertisement comprises a data representation language message schema comprising descriptions of one or more data representation language messages for sending data to the display service;

wherein the client is operable to provide the display service advertisement to a first service in the distributed computing environment;

wherein the first service is operable to;

establish a messaging channel between the first service and the display service in accordance with the display service advertisement; and

generate one or more data representation language messages in accordance with descriptions of the one or more data representation language messages from the data representation language message schema, wherein the one or more data representation language messages include data for the client.

43. The device as recited in claim 42, wherein the display service is further configured to:

receive the one or more data representation language messages on the second messaging channel, wherein the data for the client included in the one or more data representation language messages include data is generated by the first service for the client; and

display the data received in the one or more representation language data messages on the display of the device.

44. The device as recited in claim 42, wherein results data are generated by the first service performing a function for the client, wherein the first service stores the results data to a results space, and wherein the display service is further configured to:

access the results data from the results space; and

display the results data for the client on the display of the device.

45. A carrier medium comprising program instructions, wherein the program instructions are computer-executable to implement:

establishing a first messaging channel between a client and a first service in a distributed computing environment, wherein the first messaging channel is configured to pass messages in a data representation language between the client and the first service;

the client sending a first message to the first service on the first messaging channel, wherein the first message specifies a display service advertisement for enabling access to a display service associated with the client, wherein the display service advertisement comprises a data representation language message schema comprising descriptions of one or more data representation language messages for sending data to the display service;

the first service accessing the display service advertisement as specified in the first message;

the first service establishing a second messaging channel between the first service and the display service in accordance with the display service advertisement wherein the second messaging channel is configured to pass messages in the data representation language between the first service and the display service; and

the first service generating one or more data representation language messages in accordance with descriptions of the one or more data representation language messages from the data representation language message schema, wherein the one or more data representation language messages include data for the client.

46. The carrier medium as recited in claim 45, wherein the data representation language is eXtensible Markup Language (XML).

47. The carrier medium as recited in claim 45, wherein the program instructions are further computer-executable to implement:

the first service sending the one or more data representation language messages to the display service on the second messaging channel; and

the display service displaying the data from the one or more data representation language messages on a display of the client.

48. The carrier medium as recited in claim 45, wherein the display service advertisement further comprises:

an address for the display service receiving the data messages,

wherein the program instructions are further computer-executable to implement;

the first service sending the one or more representation language data message to the address for the display service receiving the data representation language messages;

the display service receiving the one or more data representation language messages; and

the display service displaying the data included in the one or more data representation language messages on a display of the client.

49. The carrier medium as recited in claim 45, wherein the program instructions are further computer-executable to implement:

the client sending a second message to the first service on the first messaging channel, wherein the second message requests the first service to perform a function on behalf of the client;

the first service performing the function as requested by the client, wherein said performing the function produces results data;

the first service sending one or more results data messages to the display service on the second messaging channel, wherein the one or more results data messages include the results data produced by said performing the function; and

the display service displaying the results data from the one or more results data messages on a display of the client.

50. The carrier medium as recited in claim 49, wherein the program instructions are further computer-executable to implement:

the first service storing the results data on a results space in the distributed computing environment;

the first service sending a results message to the display service on the second messaging channel, wherein the results message specifies a results advertisement for accessing the results data stored on the results space;

the display service accessing the results data from the results space in accordance with the results advertisement; and

the display service displaying the results data on a display of the client.

51. The carrier medium as recited in claim 45 wherein the display service advertisement is on a storage device in the distributed computing environment, wherein the first message includes information for accessing the display service advertisement on the storage device through a space service, wherein, in the first service accessing the display service advertisement, the program instructions are further computer-executable to implement accessing the display service advertisement from the storage device through the space service.

52. The carrier medium as recited in claim 45, wherein the display service advertisement is an eXtensible Markup Language (XML) document.