Platform independent model-based framework for exchanging information in the justice system

• US 7,181,493 B2
• Filed: 12/23/2003
• Issued: 02/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Unisys Corporation
• Original Assignee: Unisys Corporation
• Inventors: Roberts, David J., English, Arthur V., Shah, Gautam A., Butler, John C., Riggione, Joseph F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dharia; Rupal
• Assistant Examiner(s): Patel; Chirag R
• Application Number:
  US10/744,803
• Publication Number:
  US 20050216555A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,155 Days
• Field of Search: 709/218, 709/201, 709/203, 709/204, 707/10, 705/1, 705/7
• US Class Current: 709/204
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/18 Legal services

Abstract

A platform independent model for exchanging information among numerous entities in a justice system with diverse system components is implemented in a hub and spoke arrangement. Each spoke includes a software agent that communicates with a system component of an entity of the justice system, translates from a common communication format to a communication format of the system component, and manages the timing of the flow of information to/from the system component. The hub includes an information broker that communicates with each agent in the common communication format, determines what information is needed by which entity, and routes the needed information to/from respective agents for the entities that need the information. The platform independent model includes a plurality of traceable and linked UML models that define the information broker from a business use case model through to a platform independent solution model for implementation on a given solution platform. Since these UML models are readily modifiable and traceable for changes to the justice system, they facilitate implementation of the system in a cost-effective manner from one customer to the next without requiring system redesign.

Claims

1. A platform independent model for exchanging information among numerous entities in a justice system with diverse system components, comprising:

a plurality of software agents, each software agent communicating with a system component of an entity of the justice system, translating from a common communication format to a communication format of the system component of said entity, and managing the timing of a flow of information to/from the system component of said entity;

an information broker that communicates with each agent in the common communication format, determines what information is needed by which entity, and routes the needed information to/from respective agents for the entities that need the information; and

a plurality of traceable and linked UML models defining said information broker including at least a business use case model and a platform independent solution model for implementation on a given solution platform.

2. A system as in claim 1, wherein the common communication format is an XML format.

3. A system as in claim 1, wherein an entity obtains a subscription to information relating to at least one of an individual and an event in said system and said information broker routes said information relating to said at least one of an individual and an event to said entity.

4. A system as in claim 1, wherein said information broker notifies predetermined agents that certain information has been received based on business rules implemented by said information broker.

5. A system as in claim 1, wherein said information broker publishes certain information based on business rules implemented by said information broker.

6. A system as in claim 1, wherein said information broker provides an interface to an entity that enables said entity to query other entities in said system for certain information relating to at least one of an individual and an event.

7. A system as in claim 1, wherein said plurality of traceable and linked UML models defining said information broker comprise a software infrastructure model, a hardware infrastructure model, a business use case model, a platform independent model, and a platform specific model that are modifiable and traceable for changes to said justice system.

8. A system as in claim 7, wherein said plurality of traceable and linked UML models defining said information broker further comprise at least one of a business object model, a use case model, and an analysis model for said justice system.

9. A method of creating a platform specific system from a platform independent model for exchanging information among numerous entities in a justice system with diverse system components, comprising the steps of:

creating a plurality of software agents, each software agent communicating with a system component of an entity of the justice system, translating from a common communication format to a communication format of the system component of said entity, and managing the timing of a flow of information to/from the system component of said entity;

creating a plurality of traceable and linked UML models defining an information broker including at least a business use case model and a platform independent solution model for implementation on a given solution platform; and

implementing said UML models on said given solution platform as said platform specific system, said platform specific system including said information broker, said information broker communicating with each agent in the common communication format, determining what information is needed by which entity, and routing the needed information to/from respective agents for the entities that need the information.

10. A method as in claim 9, comprising the further step of providing an interface to an entity that enables said entity to query other entities in said justice system for certain information relating to at least one of an individual and an event.

11. A method as in claim 9, wherein said step of creating a plurality of traceable and linked UML models defining said information broker comprise the steps of creating a software infrastructure model, creating a hardware infrastructure model, creating a business use case model, creating a platform independent model, and creating a platform specific model that are modifiable and traceable for changes to said justice system.

12. A method as in claim 11, wherein said step of creating a plurality of traceable and linked UML models defining said information broker further comprise the step of creating at least one of a business object model, a use case model, and an analysis model for said justice system.