| System, method and apparatus for modularized transformation processing in a network environment -> Monitor Keywords |
|
|
  System, method and apparatus for modularized transformation processing in a network environmentRelated Patent Categories: Electrical Computers And Digital Processing Systems: Interprogram Communication Or Interprocess Communication (ipc), Application Program Interface (api)The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070192772. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/360,952, filed Feb. 7, 2003, now allowed, entitled "A PLUG-IN API FOR PROTOCOL AND PAYLOAD TRANSFORMATION," which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/354,949, filed Feb. 7, 2002, entitled "A PLUG-IN API FOR PROTOCOL AND PAYLOAD TRANSFORMATION" and which relates to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/342,113, filed Jan. 14, 2003, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,073,178, entitled "METHOD AND SYSTEM OF PERFORMING TRANSACTIONS USING SHARED RESOURCES AND DIFFERENT APPLICATIONS," which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos. 60/349,344, filed Jan. 18, 2002, entitled "MODULAR PLUG-IN TRANSACTION PROCESSING ARCHITECTURE," and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/349,424, filed Jan. 18, 2002, entitled "NETWORK PROXY PLATFORM THAT SIMULTANEOUSLY SUPPORTS DATA TRANSFORMATION, STORAGE, AND MANIPULATION FOR MULTIPLE PROTOCOLS". All applications referenced herein are hereby fully incorporated for all purposes. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The invention relates generally to network transaction processing, and more particularly to systems and methods for modularized transformation processing in a network environment. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] A vast majority of the computer systems that are currently in use are not configured strictly as stand-alone devices. In other words, they are coupled to other computers, and possibly other types of devices, through one or more networks. For example, it is typical for a personal computer set up for use at a person's home or business to be connected to the Internet. The computer can therefore communicate with other computers through the Internet. [0004] Many of the communications that occur over the Internet and other networks can be characterized as client--server communications. That is, one computer acts as a server and provides ("serves") data to those who request it. The computers that make the requests serviced by the servers are clients. [0005] Communications between clients and servers typically consist of a client generating a request for data and transmitting this request to a server, followed by a server generating responsive data and transmitting this data back to the requesting client. [0006] Many client-server systems incorporate a proxy to improve the efficiency of the system. A proxy is located between a client and a server. In some cases, the proxy can reduce the load on the server by caching certain responses from the server. For example, the proxy receives a request from the client. If the proxy cannot provide a response to the request, the request is simply forwarded to the server in the same manner as if the proxy were not present. If the requested information is cached, the proxy may respond to the request without forwarding it to the server. The data sent to the client is the same data previously provided by server. Proxies in prior client-server systems typically do not perform any type of transformation on the requests or responses between the client and the server. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] One or more of the problems outlined above may be solved by the various embodiments of the invention. Broadly speaking, the invention comprises systems and methods for processing transactions between first party and a second party, wherein communications between the parties are transformed using plug-in software modules. [0008] One embodiment of the invention comprises an application programming interface (API). The API defines interfaces for a series of plug-in modules that are configured to perform various stages of processing on transactions that are handled using the API. One or more of the interfaces defined by the API are designed to enable the use of modules that perform transformations on the transactions. Because the API supports the use of plug-in modules, the specific transformation processing that is performed can be easily changed by the replacement of one plug-in module with another. [0009] In one embodiment, the API is implemented in a network proxy application. The proxy application executes on a computer that serves as the hardware platform for the proxy. The proxy receives requests for information from network clients and transmits information responsive to the requests back to the respective clients. The proxy may retrieve the responsive information from its own cache, or it may forward the clients' requests to a server and obtain and the information from the server in response to the forwarded request. The proxy, however, is configured to modify the request, the responsive information, or both. In other words, after the proxy receives the request from the client, the proxy may transform the request in some manner before forwarding the request to the server. Similarly, after the proxy receives responsive information from the server, the proxy may transform this information before the information is forwarded to the client. [0010] The software application and/or API described above are embodied in a computer-readable medium such as a floppy disk, hard disk drive, CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, RAM, ROM, DASD array, magnetic tape, optical storage device and the like. It should be noted that the computer readable medium may comprise a RAM or other memory which forms part of a computer system. The computer system would thereby be enabled to perform a method in accordance with the present disclosure and is believed to be within the scope of the appended claims. [0011] Numerous additional embodiments are also possible. [0012] The various embodiments of the invention may provide a number of advantages over prior art systems and methods. For example, by transforming client requests and server responses, proxies may be able to provide additional functionality to client-server transactions and improve the performance of the system. Further, by breaking down the processing of transactions into stages and processing each of the stages in a modular fashion, the ability of the system to be modified to provide additional functions or to support additional protocols is greatly increased. Still further, by extending the API to include plug-in functionality, new modules can be created by parties other than the producer of the server application and plugged into the system without the need to expose source code. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0013] Other objects and advantages of the invention may become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the accompanying drawings. [0014] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating some of the basic components of a network system in accordance with one embodiment. [0015] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the components of an exemplary computer system that can be used as a platform for the client, proxy or server in one embodiment. [0016] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the modular structure of a proxy application in accordance with one embodiment. [0017] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating the relationship of the stages of processing of a network transaction in accordance with one embodiment. [0018] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the replacement of a plug-in module to the proxy application in accordance with one embodiment. [0019] While the invention is subject to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and the accompanying detailed description. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description are not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiment which is described. This disclosure is instead intended to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. Continue reading... Full patent description for System, method and apparatus for modularized transformation processing in a network environment Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this System, method and apparatus for modularized transformation processing in a network environment patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like System, method and apparatus for modularized transformation processing in a network environment or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Aggregate drivers for a configurable media-independent server Next Patent Application: Shell operation flow change Industry Class: Electrical computers and digital processing systems: interprogram communication or interprocess communication (ipc) ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the System, method and apparatus for modularized transformation processing in a network environment patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.1311 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Daimler Chrysler , DirecTV , Exxonmobil Chemical Company , Goodyear , Intel , Kyocera Wireless , |
||
