David G Lindstrom

US Patent:

20020116454, Aug 22, 2002

Filed:

Oct 2, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/968663

Inventors:

William Dyla - Chicago IL, US
Michael Gallagher - Chicago IL, US
Stuart Hannay - Chicago IL, US
Robert Hays - Chicago IL, US
David Lindstrom - Chicago IL, US

International Classification:

G06F015/16

US Classification:

709/203000, 709/230000

Abstract:

A system for and method of facilitating data communication between (i) a first computer system that runs a legacy application and is operable as a service provider and (ii) a second computer system that is operable as a requester. Multi-layered software adapters are respectively interposed between an electronic network and each of the first and second computers thereby connecting the first and second computers to each other via the adapters. The first computer, which is operable as a service provider and runs the legacy application, publishes an interface model of its legacy application functions. The second computer, which is operable as a requester, looks up, via its adapter, the published interface model when a request for data that is available from the legacy application is made by the second computer. The adapters then communicate with each other in a common format and protocol to exchange information and data as is desired. In a preferred implementation, published interface models are searchable by requestor adapters. Also, at least some of the layers in the multi-layer adapter are plugable or selectable.