Cross-Framework Service Adapter for Incompatible Interfaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

Software applications running on different frameworks are unable to execute services provided by other applications due to incompatible service interfaces, unique input parameters, and different programming languages, leading to limitations in inter-framework service access.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of an adapter system that translates metadata from one framework to another, allowing a first framework to initiate requests and execute services provided by a second framework by identifying and formatting the necessary parameters, enabling cross-framework service invocation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If software applications use different frameworks with unique service interfaces and input parameters, then each application can be optimized for its specific functionality, but the applications become unable to execute services of other frameworks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecross-framework service accessVSAvoidinterface compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a service stub as an intermediary component that acts as a mediator between different frameworks. The service stub receives service requests from one framework, translates them into the appropriate format for another framework, executes the service, and returns the results. This mediator enables cross-framework service access without requiring direct knowledge of different framework interfaces, thereby resolving the contradiction between versatility and complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs parameter translation as a key mechanism to resolve interface compatibility issues. The service stub translates input parameters from one framework's format into the expected format of another framework's service. This parameter transformation enables applications to access services across frameworks while maintaining the optimized functionality of each application, thus improving adaptability without significantly increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Adaptability or versatility

If services require specific input parameters formatted in particular manners, then service functionality can be precisely controlled, but services cannot be accessed across different frameworks

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice invocation across frameworksVSAvoidparameter format compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The service stub serves as a reliable intermediary that handles parameter format conversion between frameworks. It ensures that services are invoked with the correct parameter formats expected by each framework, thereby maintaining reliability while enabling cross-framework access. The stub translates and adapts parameters to match the specific requirements of the target service framework.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The service stub performs preliminary parameter translation and formatting before invoking the actual service. This preliminary action ensures that all services are called with the correct parameter formats in advance, preventing compatibility issues during service execution and ensuring reliable operation across different frameworks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Stability of the object's composition

If stateful frameworks store context using cookies and transmit data in groups, then data consistency is maintained, but integration with stateless frameworks becomes problematic

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata consistencyVSAvoidframework integration
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The service stub acts as a universal intermediary that can interface with both stateful and stateless frameworks. It handles the translation and coordination between frameworks with different state management approaches, enabling data consistency in stateful frameworks to coexist with the stateless architecture while maintaining framework integration capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The service stub provides universal functionality that works across different framework types. It can receive requests from stateful frameworks, translate them for stateless frameworks, and vice versa, making the system adaptable to various framework combinations while preserving the data consistency benefits of stateful approaches when needed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS8056091B2Systems and methods for using application services
Publication Date: 2011.11.08 SAP SE
  • US8056091B2 patent drawing
  • US8056091B2 patent drawing
  • US8056091B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, are provided for executing, by a first framework, a service provided by a second framework. The method may include initiating, by the first framework, a request to access the service provided by the second framework. The method may also include identifying metadata for the service, the metadata being stored in a metamodel runtime repository. The method may further include translating the metadata into a format that the first framework can use to invoke the service and executing, using the translated metadata, the service provided by the second framework.