Service Adapter Intermediary for Non-Intrusive Software Service Enablement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing software deployment models require extensive modifications to source code for enabling software applications as a service, especially when different programming languages are used, making it intrusive and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A service enablement platform (SEP) system with service adapters, service modules, and a service gateway that intercepts user requests, locates appropriate service modules, and configures software applications to provide non-intrusive access to application functionality across multiple isolated user groups, using aspect-oriented programming to inject configuration data and enable service enablement features without modifying the core application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If service enablement features are built into the software application, then the software application can be offered as a service to multiple IUGs, but extensive modification on source code is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a Service Adapter as an intermediary component that sits between the software application and the service enablement platform. This adapter intercepts method calls from the application and translates them into service-level requests, allowing service features to be added without modifying the application's source code. The adapter handles IUG identification, authentication, and service routing, thereby resolving the contradiction by enabling service capability while avoiding direct source code changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the service enablement functionality into separate components: Service Adapters for application-level integration, Service Modules for specific service features (authentication, billing, etc.), and a Service Gateway for centralized control. This segmentation allows service features to be added and configured independently without affecting the core application code, thus enabling versatility while maintaining code simplicity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the software application is configured to operate on a third-party server, then the application can be accessed via web interface, but extensive revision in source code is required especially when different programming languages are used
Solution Approach 1:
The Service Adapter acts as a language-agnostic intermediary that translates service requests from different programming languages into a unified service interface. This allows the software application to maintain its original programming language while still being able to access service features through the standardized adapter layer, eliminating the need for extensive source code revisions when deploying on third-party servers.
Solution Approach 2:
The Service Adapter provides universal functionality that works across different programming languages and platforms. It implements a standardized set of service methods that can be invoked regardless of the application's underlying technology stack, enabling cross-platform service capability without requiring language-specific modifications to the application source code.
3Adaptability or versatility
If service enablement features are integrated into the application, then multiple service features can be provided, but the application code becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The Service Adapter serves as a thin intermediary layer that adds service features without embedding them deeply into the application's core logic. By keeping the adapter separate and maintaining clear boundaries between the application and service layers, the patent enables multiple service features while preventing the application code from becoming unnecessarily complex.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for enabling software applications as a service in a non-intrusive manner in isolated user groups (IUGs) is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a user request from one of the plurality of IUGs to access application functionality of one of plurality of software applications, identifying the one of the plurality of IUGs, locating one of the plurality of service modules by a service gateway based on a request sent by one of the plurality of service adapters, providing an appropriate access to the one of the plurality of IUGs, obtaining configuration data associated with the one of the plurality of IUGs, forwarding the configuration data and the user request to the one of the plurality of software applications, and generating an appropriate response associated with the application functionality and returning the generated appropriate response to the one of the plurality of IUGs.