Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput – Computer network managing
Reexamination Certificate
1999-07-08
2002-09-10
Sheikh, Ayaz (Department: 2155)
Electrical computers and digital processing systems: multicomput
Computer network managing
C709S202000, C709S246000, C709S238000, C709S223000, C707S793000, C714S018000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06449644
ABSTRACT:
THE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND PRIOR ART
The present invention refers to a method for integrating an arrangement of a number of computerised client systems being independent of each other by permitting communication between the client systems, each client system having a system-specific structure and being adapted to process information in a system-specific native format.
Furthermore, the invention refers to a device for integrating an arrangement of a number of computerised client systems being independent of each other by permitting communication between the client systems, each client system having a system-specific structure and being adapted to process information in a system-specific native format.
Today, firms and organisations frequently rely for their daily processes on a number of different software applications on one or several hardware structures, i.e. computerised client systems, which are operating independently of each other. There is a need to integrate such essentially arbitrary client systems to make them co-operate and exchange data. Such integration is provided by connecting pairs of client systems to each other at a low system level by means of translation programs using different communication protocols. However, in order to obtain a global integration of the different client systems a myriad of specialised system-to-system programs is provided. The result is a spaghetti-like tangle of complex system inter-dependencies forming an effective gridlock for any further system development. Moreover, since the different client systems may not operate independently of each other any longer, the performance and the efficiency of each system is significantly reduced.
It has been proposed to integrate a number of independent client systems by the provision of an integrating server to which all of said client systems are connected. However, such an integrating server quickly grows to a very complicated client system which requires a considerable amount of computer programming work. In addition, such an integrating server need to be modified each time a new client system is to be integrated, or when a software application or a hardware structure is upgraded or replaced in any of the client systems.
The Swedish patent application No. 9803579-3, which corresponds to the U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/211,462 and which belongs to the Applicant of the present application, discloses a device for and a method of integrating an arrangement of a number of computerised essentially arbitrary client systems. The content of these prior applications are incorporated herein by reference.
A further problem in connection with such an integration is that the integration process is complicated and requires a sophisticated software and hardware infrastructure. Thus, the tools for the integration are not immediately available to a possible user.
Moreover, a considerable investment is to be made before the integration may be realised, and thus before the user can rely on the function and the use of the integration.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is to facilitate the integration process for integrating different computerised client systems.
In particular, it is aimed at a method and a device offering a high availability for any possible user to the integration process, and moreover enabling a substantial reduction of the investment costs in connection with the initial phase of the integration.
This object is obtained by a method for integrating an arrangement of a number of computerised client systems being independent of each other by permitting communication between the client systems, each client system having a system-specific structure and being adapted to process information in a system-specific native format, the method comprising the steps of:
providing an integrating platform accessible to the client systems via a network;
providing a primary connection between a user and said integrating platform via said network;
describing interactively the client systems to be integrated and transferring said description via said primary connection and said network from the user to said integrating platform;
generating, by means of said description, an integrating engine at said integrating platform and a number of communication connections for the exchange of information between the client systems and said integrating engine;
integrating the client systems by means of said integrating engine via said communication connections and said network; and
operating the arrangement, whereby information in a system-specific format from one client system is processed in another system-specific format by another client system.
By providing such an integrating platform via a network, all the tools, which are required for the achievement of the integration of a number of essentially arbitrary client systems, are available to any user who may initiate and complete the integration via said network. Such a high availability is an important advantage enabling for a user to test the function and the operation of the integration, i.e. a selected number of integrated client systems, be fore a final investment decision is taken,
The network may be realised by a public network, such as Internet, wherein the integrating platform may be available via a public web-server a private network, such as an Intranet, wherein the integrating platform may be available via a web-server connected only to the intranet, or any other network.
The integrating engine, which is arranged to operate the integration, may be located on the integrating platform. Said description of each client system is made by the user in interactive communication with the integrating platform, and enables the generation of the integrating engine as source code files forming the transformation means required to permit the exchange of the information between the different client systems. The integrating platform may comprise an input means including an interface, especially a graphical user interface, GUI, available via the network for facilitating to the user to describe the client systems to be integrated.
According to an embodiment of the invention, the method comprises the further steps of: generating, for each communication connection and by means of said description, a client adapter adapted to the system-specific format and the system-specific structure of respective client system for the exchange of information in the system-specific native format; and implementing said client adapter on the respective client system. Each client adapter may comprise an interface for the respective client system by means of which the client system may publish any information to the integrating engine or subscribe on any information from the integrating engine. Preferably, the client adapter interface is an Application Program Interface, API. Each client adapter is transferred to the respective client system, preferably via the network, for the operation of the arrangement.
According to a further embodiment of the invention, the method comprises the further steps of: generating, for each communication connection and by means of said description, an engine adapter for the exchange of the information in the respective system-specific native format; and implementing said engine adapter on the integrating engine. The engine adapter may be an interface enabling the communication between the respective client adapter and the integrating engine. By the definitions contained in the description, the client adapter and the engine adapter may be generated as source code files which may be implemented on the hardware structure where the client adapter and the engine adapter, respectively, are located. Preferably, each of said client adapters is connected to a respective engine adapter via said primary connection and any arbitrary data protocol. Moreover, an access means may be provided for each client system. Such an access means may comprise an interface to be adopted by the respective client system for integration. This interface is ta
Håål Anders
Ryeng Torbjörn
Corus Technologies Aktiebolag
Nguyen Thu Ha
Pearne & Gordon LLP
Sheikh Ayaz
LandOfFree
Method and a device for integrating an arrangement of a... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Method and a device for integrating an arrangement of a..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Method and a device for integrating an arrangement of a... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2875363