Service Interface Adaptation via Visual Notation and Action Transformation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Service interface adaptation from a behavioral perspective is challenging due to interface mismatches, particularly when services need to participate in interactions requiring different behaviors while maintaining the same functionality, which is difficult to achieve with traditional programming language-based adaptors that are costly and prone to errors.

Innovation Solution

A declarative approach to service interface adaptation using visual notation and interface operators to create a map between required and provided interfaces, with a communication action transformation engine that intercepts, buffers, and transforms messages according to predefined interface operations specified in an adapter specification, implementing operations like flow, gather, scatter, collapse, and hide to mediate between interfaces.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional programming language-based adaptors are used to adapt service interfaces, then interface adaptation can be achieved, but the development and maintenance costs are high and errors are prone to occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptation logic correctnessVSAvoidadaptor development cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional programming language-based adaptors with a visual notation system. Instead of writing and maintaining complex code, users can visually define adaptation logic through diagrams and configurations, significantly reducing development costs and minimizing errors while maintaining high reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary adaptation service that mediates between the provided interface and required interface. This service uses visual notation to define transformation rules, acting as a buffer that simplifies the adaptation process and reduces direct complexity between incompatible interfaces.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If programming language-based adaptors are used, then interface adaptation is possible, but it is difficult to check correctness and prevent deadlocks

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedeadlock preventionVSAvoidadaptor verification complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex programming-based adaptation with visual notation, making it easier to verify correctness. The visual representation allows stakeholders to intuitively understand adaptation logic, facilitating manual verification and reducing the complexity of checking for deadlocks and errors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The adaptation service automatically manages interface transformations based on visually defined rules, reducing the need for manual intervention and verification. The system self-regulates the adaptation process, making it easier to maintain correctness and prevent deadlocks without complex manual checking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If services are reused in new contexts, then service reusability is improved, but interface mismatches occur between provided and required interfaces

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice reusabilityVSAvoidinterface mismatch complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal adaptation service that can handle multiple interface mismatches through a single visual notation framework. This adaptation service can be configured to work with different provided and required interfaces, enabling services to be reused across various contexts without requiring context-specific programming adaptors.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The adaptation service acts as an intermediary layer between services with different interfaces. It uses visual notation to define transformation rules that mediate between the provided interface and various required interfaces, allowing services to be reused in new contexts while managing interface mismatch complexity centrally.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS7971145B2Systems and methods for adapting service interface behaviors

Publication Date: 2011.06.28 SAP SE

AI summary

In one embodiment, the present invention includes a computer-implemented method of adapting software component interfaces by providing a user interface for specifying a provided interface, a required interface and interface operators. In another embodiment the present invention includes a computer-implemented method of adapting interfaces comprising receiving an adapter specification, receiving a plurality of communication actions from a first software component, transforming one or more of the communication actions in accordance with predefined interface operations; and sending transformed communication actions to a second software component.