US6208345B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Visual data integration system and method
Assignee: ACD TELECOMMUNICATIONS Inc
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Filing: 1998-06-08
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Granted: 2001-03-27
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Expires: 2018-06-08
Abstract
Abstract A visual data integration system architecture and methodology is disclosed. The system architecture includes a transport framework that represents a technology-independent integration mechanism that facilitates the exchange of technology-dependent data between disparate applications. A visual interface facilitates the design, deployment, and runtime monitoring of an integrated information system implementation. An integrated information system is developed visually through use of the visual interface by dragging and dropping components within a canvas area of the interface. The components are graphical representations of various telecommunications hardware and software elements, such as information stores, processors, input/output devices and the like. Various components may be packaged together as business extension modules that provide specific business integration capabilities. Interconnections between components are graphically established using a mouse to define sources and destinations of specified data. An underlying configuration/runtime information framework operating above and in concert with the transport framework effectively transforms the graphical interconnections into logical or physical interconnections, which results in the contemporaneous generation of an integrated runtime system. Format neutral data meta-models are employed to model the input and output data requirements of disparate systems and system components so as to remove any cross-dependencies that exist between the systems and technologies implicated in a data integration project. The visual interface enables runtime control and analysis of the business information and system aspects of an integrated system implementation. Visual views onto the live deployment provide consistent management and control for system integrators, business integrators, system managers, and business managers using a single visual interface.
Inventors
- 👤 Nicolas C. Sheard
- 👤 Larry J. Fischer
- 👤 Richard W. Matthews
- 👤 Himabindu Gurla
- 👤 Qilin Hu
- 👤 Wendy J. Zheng
- 👤 Boyle Y. Mow
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 03:01
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F8/00; G06F8/30; G06F8/34; G06F40/00; G06F40/10; G06F40/12; G06F40/14; G06F40/143; G06F40/151; H; H04; H04L; H04L67/00; H04L67/50; H04L67/56; H04L67/565; H04L67/75; H04L69/00; H04L69/08; H04L69/30; H04L69/32; H04L69/322; H04L69/329
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 56
Claim 1
Independent Claim
154 words
A method of visually implementing a data interchange system for transporting data, the data comprising informational content and a protocol, the method comprising: constructing a graphical representation of source data exchange elements and destination data exchange elements of the data interchange system between which only the informational content of the data is to be transported; establishing graphical connections between selected source and destination data exchange elements so as to produce a graphical representation of the data interchange system; determining validity of the graphical connections using input/output requirement models associated with the connected source and destination data exchange elements and particular informational content of the data to be transported therebetween; transforming the graphical representation of the data interchange system into a runtime deployment of the data interchange system; and presenting, to a user, selected information developed from the runtime deployment of the data interchange system using one of a plurality of user selectable visual views.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
154 words
A method of visually implementing a data interchange system for transporting data, the data comprising informational content and a protocol, the method comprising: constructing a graphical representation of source data exchange elements and destination data exchange elements of the data interchange system between which only the informational content of the data is to be transported; establishing graphical connections between selected source and destination data exchange elements so as to produce a graphical representation of the data interchange system; determining validity of the graphical connections using input/output requirement models associated with the connected source and destination data exchange elements and particular informational content of the data to be transported therebetween; transforming the graphical representation of the data interchange system into a runtime deployment of the data interchange system; and presenting, to a user, selected information developed from the runtime deployment of the data interchange system using one of a plurality of user selectable visual views.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method according to claim 1 , further comprising manually mapping the graphical connections between particular source and destination data exchange elements using associated input/output requirement models in response to an inability to transport the particular informational content of the data between the particular source and destination data exchange elements.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein presenting selected information further comprises presenting business information associated with the informational content of the data transmitted through the graphical connections.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein presenting selected information further comprises presenting system information associated with the source and destination data exchange elements of the data exchange system.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein presenting selected information further comprises presenting performance information associated with transmission of the informational content of the data through the graphical connections.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 1 , wherein presenting selected information further comprises presenting error information associated with the informational content of the data transmitted through the graphical connections.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method according the claim 1 , wherein constructing the graphical representation of source elements and destination data exchange elements further comprises moving source and destination data exchange element icons respectively representative of the source and destination data exchange elements from a first region of a visual interface to a second region of the visual interface.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method according to claim 7 , wherein establishing graphical connections between selected source and destination data exchange elements further comprises establishing graphical links between selected source and destination data exchange element icons within the second region of the visual interface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
The method according to claim 8 , wherein establishing graphical connections between selected source and destination data exchange elements further comprises marking erroneous graphical links with indicia indicative of an incompatibility between the first and second data exchange elements.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
98 words
A method of visually developing a data communications interface through which data passes, the data comprising informational content and a protocol, the method comprising: visually depicting a first data exchange component and a data exchange second component between which only the informational content of the data is to be transported; visually linking the first data exchange component with the second data exchange component using a respective first and second data definition model so as to visually define the data communications interface; and transforming the visually defined data communications interface into a runtime deployment of the data communications interface.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
98 words
A method of visually developing a data communications interface through which data passes, the data comprising informational content and a protocol, the method comprising: visually depicting a first data exchange component and a data exchange second component between which only the informational content of the data is to be transported; visually linking the first data exchange component with the second data exchange component using a respective first and second data definition model so as to visually define the data communications interface; and transforming the visually defined data communications interface into a runtime deployment of the data communications interface.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method according to claim 10 , further comprising determining validity of the visual link using input/output criteria associated with particular informational content of the data to be transported between the first and second data exchange components.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method according to claim 10 , wherein the first and second data definition models comprise data input and data output requirements of the respective first and second data exchange components.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
66 words
The method according to claim 10 , wherein visually linking the first and second data exchange components further comprises using the first and second data definition models to verify the efficacy of the visual link between the first and second data exchange components, the first and second data definition models defining data input and data output requirements of the respective first and second data exchange components.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method according to claim 10 , further comprising manually mapping the visual link between the first and second data exchange components using the first and second data definition models in response to an incompatibility between the first and second data exchange components.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method according to claim 10 , further comprising presenting, to a user, selected information developed from the runtime deployment of the data communications interface.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method according to claim 10 , further comprising presenting, to a user, selected information developed from the runtime deployment of the data communications interface using one of a plurality of user selectable visual views.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method according to claim 10 , further comprising presenting, to a user, business, performance, or error information associated with the informational content of the data transmitted through the data communications interface.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 10 , further comprising presenting, to a user, system information associated with the first and second data exchange components of the data communications interface.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method according the claim 10 , wherein visually depicting the first and second data exchange components further comprises moving first and second data exchange component icons respectively representative of the first and second data exchange components from a first region of a visual interface to a second region of the visual interface.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method according to claim 19 , wherein visually linking the first and second data exchange components further comprises establishing a graphical connection between the first and second data exchange component icons within the second region of the visual interface.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method according to claim 20 , wherein visually linking the first and second data exchange components further comprises marking the graphical connection with indicia indicative of an incompatibility between the first and second data exchange components.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
119 words
A method of visually developing a data communications interface through which data passes, the data comprising informational content and a protocol, the method comprising: visually depicting a first data exchange component and a second data exchange component between which only the informational content of the data is to be transported; visually linking the first data exchange component with the second data exchange component so as to visually define the data communications interface; and verifying the utility of the visual link between the first and the second data exchange components using first and second data definition models, the first and second data definition models defining data input and data output requirements of the respective first and second data exchange components.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
119 words
A method of visually developing a data communications interface through which data passes, the data comprising informational content and a protocol, the method comprising: visually depicting a first data exchange component and a second data exchange component between which only the informational content of the data is to be transported; visually linking the first data exchange component with the second data exchange component so as to visually define the data communications interface; and verifying the utility of the visual link between the first and the second data exchange components using first and second data definition models, the first and second data definition models defining data input and data output requirements of the respective first and second data exchange components.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method according to claim 22 , further comprising manually mapping the visual link between the first and second data exchange components using the first and second data definition models in response to an incompatibility between the first and second data exchange components.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method according to claim 22 , further comprising transforming the visually defined data communications interface into a runtime deployment of the data communications interface.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method according to claim 24 , further comprising presenting, to a user, selected business, system, performance or error information developed from the runtime deployment of the data communications interface.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method according to claim 22 , further comprising presenting, to a user, system information associated with the first and second data exchange components of the data communications interface.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method according the claim 22 , wherein visually depicting the first and second data exchange components further comprises moving first and second data exchange component icons respectively representative of the first and second data exchange components from a first region of a visual interface to a second region of the visual interface.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method according to claim 22 , wherein visually linking the first and second data exchange components further comprises establishing a graphical connection between the first and second data exchange component icons within the second region of the visual interface.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method according to claim 28 , wherein visually linking the first and second data exchange components further comprises marking the graphical connection with indicia indicative of an incompatibility between the first and second data exchange components.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
143 words
A system for visually implementing a data interchange system through which data passes, the data comprising informational content and a protocol, the system comprising: a display; an input device actuatable by a user for placing graphical representations of source data exchange components and destination data exchange components of the data interchange system on the display, the input device further actuatable by a user for establishing graphical connections between selected source and destination data exchange elements with which only the informational content of the data is transported therebetween so as to produce a graphical representation of the data interchange system; and a processor coupled to the input device and the display, the processor transforming the graphical representation of the data exchange system into a runtime deployment of the data exchange system using data definition models associated with the source and destination data exchange components.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
143 words
A system for visually implementing a data interchange system through which data passes, the data comprising informational content and a protocol, the system comprising: a display; an input device actuatable by a user for placing graphical representations of source data exchange components and destination data exchange components of the data interchange system on the display, the input device further actuatable by a user for establishing graphical connections between selected source and destination data exchange elements with which only the informational content of the data is transported therebetween so as to produce a graphical representation of the data interchange system; and a processor coupled to the input device and the display, the processor transforming the graphical representation of the data exchange system into a runtime deployment of the data exchange system using data definition models associated with the source and destination data exchange components.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 30 , wherein the processor determines validity of the graphical connections between the selected source and destination data exchange components.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
55 words
The system of claim 30 , wherein the processor determines validity of the graphical connections between the selected source and destination data exchange components using respective source and destination data definition models, the source and destination data definition models defining data input and data output requirements of the respective source and destination data exchange components.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 30 , wherein the input device is actuatable by the user to manually map erroneous graphical connections between incompatible source and destination data exchange components.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 30 , wherein the input device is actuatable by the user to selectively present on the display selected information developed from the runtime deployment of the data interchange system.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
40 words
The system of claim 30 , wherein the input device is actuatable by the user to select one of a plurality of visual views for presenting information developed from the runtime deployment of the data interchange system on the display.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 35 , wherein the information comprises business, performance, or error information associated with the informational content of the data transmitted through the data interchange system.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 35 , wherein the information comprises system information associated with the source and destination data exchange components of the data exchange system.
Claim 42
Independent Claim
156 words
A system for visually implementing a data interchange system through which data passes, the data comprising informational content and a protocol, the system comprising: a display; an input device actuatable by a user for placing graphical representations of source and destination data exchange components of the data interchange system within the display, the input device further actuated by a user for establishing graphical connections between selected source and destination data exchange components with which only the informational content of the data is transported therebetween so as to produce a graphical representation of the data interchange system; and a processor coupled to the input device and the display, the processor verifying the utility of the graphical connections between the selected source and destination data exchange components using associated source and destination input/output requirement files, the source and destination input/output requirement files defining data input and data output requirements of the respective source and destination data exchange components.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
156 words
A system for visually implementing a data interchange system through which data passes, the data comprising informational content and a protocol, the system comprising: a display; an input device actuatable by a user for placing graphical representations of source and destination data exchange components of the data interchange system within the display, the input device further actuated by a user for establishing graphical connections between selected source and destination data exchange components with which only the informational content of the data is transported therebetween so as to produce a graphical representation of the data interchange system; and a processor coupled to the input device and the display, the processor verifying the utility of the graphical connections between the selected source and destination data exchange components using associated source and destination input/output requirement files, the source and destination input/output requirement files defining data input and data output requirements of the respective source and destination data exchange components.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 38 , wherein the input device is actuatable by the user to manually map erroneous graphical connections between incompatible source and destination data exchange components.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system of claim 38 , wherein the processor transforms the graphical representation of the data interchange system into a runtime deployment of the data interchange system.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system of claim 40 , wherein the input device is actuatable by the user to selectively present on the display selected information developed from the runtime deployment of the data interchange system.
Claim 47
Independent Claim
123 words
A system for visually implementing a data interchange system through which data passes, the data comprising informational content and a protocol, the system comprising: means for constructing a graphical representation of source and destination data exchange elements of the data interchange system; means for establishing graphical connections between selected source and destination data exchange elements with which only the informational content of the data is transported therebetween so as to produce a graphical representation of the data interchange system; means for determining validity of the graphical connections using input/output data requirement models associated with the connected source and destination data exchange elements; and means for transforming the graphical representation of the data interchange system into a runtime deployment of the data interchange system.
Claim 48
Independent Claim
123 words
A system for visually implementing a data interchange system through which data passes, the data comprising informational content and a protocol, the system comprising: means for constructing a graphical representation of source and destination data exchange elements of the data interchange system; means for establishing graphical connections between selected source and destination data exchange elements with which only the informational content of the data is transported therebetween so as to produce a graphical representation of the data interchange system; means for determining validity of the graphical connections using input/output data requirement models associated with the connected source and destination data exchange elements; and means for transforming the graphical representation of the data interchange system into a runtime deployment of the data interchange system.
Claim 49
Independent Claim
105 words
A system for visually developing a data communications interface through which data passes, the data comprising informational content and a protocol, the interface comprising: means for graphically depicting a first data exchange component and a second data exchange component with which only the informational content of the data is transported therebetween; means for graphically linking the first component with the second data exchange component so as to graphically define the data communications interface; and means for transforming the graphically defined data communications interface into a runtime deployment of the data communications interface using data definition models associated with the first and second data exchange components.
Claim 50
Independent Claim
105 words
A system for visually developing a data communications interface through which data passes, the data comprising informational content and a protocol, the interface comprising: means for graphically depicting a first data exchange component and a second data exchange component with which only the informational content of the data is transported therebetween; means for graphically linking the first component with the second data exchange component so as to graphically define the data communications interface; and means for transforming the graphically defined data communications interface into a runtime deployment of the data communications interface using data definition models associated with the first and second data exchange components.
Claim 51
Independent Claim
124 words
A system for visually developing a data communications interface through which data passes, the data comprising informational content and a protocol, the interface comprising: means for graphically depicting a first data exchange component and a second data exchange component with which only the informational content of the data is transported therebetween; means for graphically linking the first data exchange component with the second data exchange component so as to visually define the data communications interface; and means for verifying the utility of the graphical link between the first and the second data exchange components using first and second data definition models, the first and second data definition models defining data input and data output requirements of the respective first and second data exchange components.
Claim 52
Independent Claim
124 words
A system for visually developing a data communications interface through which data passes, the data comprising informational content and a protocol, the interface comprising: means for graphically depicting a first data exchange component and a second data exchange component with which only the informational content of the data is transported therebetween; means for graphically linking the first data exchange component with the second data exchange component so as to visually define the data communications interface; and means for verifying the utility of the graphical link between the first and the second data exchange components using first and second data definition models, the first and second data definition models defining data input and data output requirements of the respective first and second data exchange components.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
108 words
A computer readable medium tangibly embodying a program executable for visually implementing a data communications interface through which data passes, the data comprising informational content and a protocol, the medium comprising: visually depicting a first data exchange component and a second data exchange component with which only the informational content of the data is transported therebetween; visually linking the first data exchange component with the second data exchange component so as to visually define the data communications interface; and transforming the visually defined data communications interface into a runtime deployment of the data communications interface using data definition models associated with the first and second data exchange components.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
108 words
A computer readable medium tangibly embodying a program executable for visually implementing a data communications interface through which data passes, the data comprising informational content and a protocol, the medium comprising: visually depicting a first data exchange component and a second data exchange component with which only the informational content of the data is transported therebetween; visually linking the first data exchange component with the second data exchange component so as to visually define the data communications interface; and transforming the visually defined data communications interface into a runtime deployment of the data communications interface using data definition models associated with the first and second data exchange components.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
125 words
A computer readable medium tangibly embodying a program executable for visually implementing a data communications interface through which data passes, the data comprising informational content and a protocol, the medium comprising: visually depicting a first data exchange component and a second data exchange component with which only the informational content of the data is transported therebetween; visually linking the first data exchange component with the second data exchange component so as to visually define the data communications interface; and verifying the utility of the visual link between the first and the second data exchange components using first and second data definition models, the first and second data definition models defining data input and data output requirements of the respective first and second data exchange components.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
125 words
A computer readable medium tangibly embodying a program executable for visually implementing a data communications interface through which data passes, the data comprising informational content and a protocol, the medium comprising: visually depicting a first data exchange component and a second data exchange component with which only the informational content of the data is transported therebetween; visually linking the first data exchange component with the second data exchange component so as to visually define the data communications interface; and verifying the utility of the visual link between the first and the second data exchange components using first and second data definition models, the first and second data definition models defining data input and data output requirements of the respective first and second data exchange components.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
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|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-03-26 | 2004-09-25 | 2005-03-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-03-26 | 2008-09-25 | 2009-03-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-03-26 | 2012-09-25 | 2013-03-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |