Client Application Integration Through Dynamic Third-Party API Mediation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing client applications face inefficiencies and high costs when integrating with third-party services due to frequent API changes, requiring updates to binary code and distribution across all devices, which can lead to integration failures and rollout issues.
Innovation Solution
An intermediate service dynamically integrates client applications with third-party services using generic APIs, allowing user interfaces to be configured through HTML, XML, and JavaScript, enabling localized code changes to support API updates without altering the client application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the binary code of the client application is modified to call the updated API of the third-party service, then the integration functionality is restored, but the cost and complexity of updates increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary service layer between the client application and the third-party service API. This intermediary handles API changes and transformations, so when the third-party API updates, only the intermediary needs to be updated, not the client application's binary code. The intermediary acts as a buffer that absorbs API changes without requiring costly client updates.
Solution Approach 2:
The system is segmented into distinct layers: the client application layer, the intermediary service layer, and the third-party service layer. This segmentation allows changes to be isolated to specific layers. When the third-party API changes, only the intermediary layer requires modification, while the client application remains unchanged, reducing update complexity and costs.
2Reliability
If the binary code of the client application is updated to support API changes, then the integration remains functional, but the time and resources required for distribution and rollout increase
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediary service layer absorbs API changes, eliminating the need to redistribute updated client applications across all devices. When the third-party API updates, only the intermediary service needs updating, which can be deployed centrally without time-consuming device-by-device updates, significantly reducing rollout time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic configuration where the intermediary service can adapt to API changes without requiring client application updates. This dynamic approach allows the integration to remain functional through configuration changes rather than binary code updates, reducing both time and resources for distribution.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual copying and entry of information is used between client application and third-party service, then no integration code changes are needed, but user efficiency and productivity decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediary service provides automated integration between the client application and third-party service, eliminating manual copying and entry. It handles data transfer, transformation, and synchronization automatically, significantly improving user efficiency while maintaining the flexibility to adapt to different third-party services through configuration rather than code changes.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are various approaches for dynamically integrating a client application with multiple third-party services. An integration service receives a request to perform an action relative to a particular third-party service from a client device. The request is received through a first application programming interface (API) generic to a plurality of third-party services. The integration service communicates with the particular third-party service to perform the action using a second API specific to the particular third-party service. The integration service sends a response to the client device through the first API. The response is based at least in part on a result of the action and includes an indication of one of a plurality of predefined user interfaces.