Service broker for processing data from a data network

Abstract

A method and system for communication between server-less computing devices or clients in computers communicating over networks, such as the World Wide Web (WWW) using stateless protocols, e.g., HTTP. In this scheme there are two classes of clients which can operate independently or can be combined in computer communicating over the network: a) Clients that issue commands and request status or data, and b) clients which function as service brokers for provide services and processing commands, updating status and providing specific data. Based on the description of the latter client device it would resemble a server device but without accessible TCP / IP ports. Each service providing device is authenticated, retains a unique identity and establishes a soft state with the globally accessible server or servers. All devices and clients can compile and process a globally common command language established between all communicating network clients. The central server includes a CGI processing program and a database to retain client specific information. The server database represents a collection of queues, each having a client unique identifiable status, pending commands and / or data components. In this scheme commands and signaling transmitted between the servers and clients utilize standard HTTP protocol semantics and HTML or standard markup language syntax. Clients encapsulate or embed information as parameters passed to HTTP CGI as a set of standard HTTP conversations. A CGI processing program converts, parses or processes each conversation and passes arguments with or without data to queues. Each conversation is includes a client identification key(s) and commands which are structured as attribute-value pair tuples. The service-handler client connects to the central server and accesses the client queue on the central server to check for any pending commands or update their status in either synchronous or asynchronous manner. The synchronous server access scheme is regulated temporally by either deterministic clocking on server response or by a server based adaptive algorithm which can monitor network and client activities and optimize client access patterns.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The invention relates generally to computer networking and, more particularly, to a service broker for processing data from a data network. GLOSSARY OF TERMS [0002] For purposes of the present invention, the following terms as used throughout the specification have the following defined meanings: Internet [0003] The network of networks and gateways that use the TCP / IP suite of protocols. TCP / IP [0004] Transmission Control Protocol / Internet protocol. A packet switching scheme the Internet uses to chop, route, and reconstruct the data it handles, from e-mail to video. Client [0005] A client is a computer which issues commands to the server which performs the task associated with the command. Server [0006] Any computer that performs a task at the command of another computer is a server. A Web server typically supports one or more clients. Hypertext Transfer Protocol (HTTP) [0007] HTTP is an example of a stateless protocol, which means that every reque...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Additionally, services provided by ad hoc network servers, which can be based on mobile or temporary Internet services, require complex system administration and can create a challenge for the average individual.

Other system and network issues include such matters as scalability, resource management, security, and access control, each requiring technical depth, lengthy lead time to assemble, and ongoing maintenance that can become costly.

In most cases the user has to invest a great deal of time and expense.

The services are limited and devices which provide services are not user friendly.

The system setup and service access can present problems.

If no listener, i.e., a server, is registered with the port on the low level network driver on the receiver, the data cannot make it to the appropriate application that the data is intended for because no server is there to hand the data to the applications for high-level processing.

As the size of a server increases, i.e., as the number of possible incoming connections increases, the complexity, cost, and processing overhead of that server likewise increases.

For example, the code necessary to authenticate incoming connection requests and the connection setup can increase processing overhead because a separate connection handler thread or process may need be started to handle data for the new connection.

All of these added complexities increase the cost of the receivers, more physical memory is needed to store programs and connection data and more powerful processors are needed to run these complex server programs.

Finally, as the need for security on sensitive appliances such as cameras and motion sensors becomes ever greater, so does the danger of using embedded servers which have a notorious history of being prone to attack by malicious individuals.

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