Abstract: A software development tool for use with external systems and services uses a common code base and defines all data and messages using XML Schema System components are defined which include a device abstraction layer which handles interactions between the application and devices. A host abstraction layer handles interactions between a host system and the application. A graphical tool models the work flow of the application and includes screens and services defined by Schema. The application is assembled using the graphical tool, declarative XML rules and customizations of system components without the user having to generate any coding.

Abstract: A software development tool for use with external systems and services uses a common code base and defines all data and messages using XML Schema System components are defined which include a device abstraction layer which handles interactions between the application and devices. A host abstraction layer handles interactions between a host system and the application. A graphical tool models the work flow of the application and includes screens and services defined by Schema. The application is assembled using the graphical tool, declarative XML rules and customisations of system components without the user having to generate any coding.

Abstract: A filter module for a WOSA/XFS transaction processing system is disclosed. The system includes a WOSA transaction manager which is responsive to transaction requests from at least one application. A service provider layer is adapted to relay transaction requests passed from the transaction manager to associated hardware for execution. The filter module is adapted to intercept transaction requests from the transaction manager to the service provider layer and to process the requests. The filter module is further adapted to intercept transaction responses form the service provider layer to the transaction manager and the at least one application and to process these responses.

Abstract: A memory controller component (10, 30, 40) for an Internet application such as a bank, airline or supermarket web site is disclosed. The component is instantiated from a web page in the application and exposes a number of methods. A connect method checks if a predetermined area of named shared memory has been allocated, and responsive to the named shared memory not being allocated, allocates named shared memory. A setVariable method allocates an area in the shared memory for a variable and stores the variable. A getVariable method locates the variable in shared memory. Corresponding get and set encrypted variable methods are also disclosed. Furthermore, an ATM running an Internet browser enabling a user to swap between web sites at an ATM is disclosed.

Abstract: A security module (95) for a transaction processing system is disclosed. The transaction processing system includes a transaction manager (20) which runs in a first process and is responsive to transaction requests from one or more applications (10, Page_1.htm) and a service provider layer (30, 36, 37) adapted to relay transaction requests passed from said transaction manager to associated hardware (14) for execution. The security module is adapted to communicate with a supervisor application to receive and store application rights to execute transaction requests and is responsive to requests from the service provider layer to determine an application's right to execute a transaction request.

Abstract: A peripheral controller component (90) for a transaction processing system is disclosed. The transaction processing system includes a transaction manager (20) which runs in a first process and is responsive to transaction requests from a browser (80) adapted to run a web application, the application comprising one or more web pages (Page_1.htm, Page_2.htm), and a set of service provider modules (30, 37) which are adapted to relay transaction requests passed from the transaction manager to an associated hardware module (14) for execution. The peripheral controller component is adapted to be instantiated from a web page and includes means (96,98) for communicating transaction requests from the web application to the transaction manager.

Abstract: A memory controller component (10, 30, 40) for an Internet application such as a bank, airline or supermarket web site is disclosed. The component is instantiated from a web page (Page—1.htm..Page—3.htm) in the application and exposes a number of methods. A connect method checks if a pre-determined area of named shared memory has been allocated, and responsive to the named shared memory not being allocated, allocates named shared memory. A setVariable method allocates an area in the shared memory for a variable and stores the variable. A getVariable method locates the variable in shared memory. Corresponding get and set encrypted variable methods are also disclosed. Furthermore, an ATM running an Internet browser enabling a user to swap between web sites at an ATM is disclosed.

Abstract: A hardware simulator (46′,100) for a transaction processing system (20,40) is disclosed. The transaction processing system is responsive to transaction requests (12) from an application (10). The simulator comprises a set of virtual hardware modules (46′) for simulating execution of transaction requests and a simulator tool (100). Each virtual hardware module is responsive to transaction requests relayed from the transaction processing system and is adapted to write the requests to an associated area of shared memory (200). The simulator tool is adapted to graphically represent a set of hardware devices, for example, an ATM. Each hardware device graphical representation (FIG. 7) is associated with an area of shared memory (200). The tool is adapted to monitor these areas of shared memory and to update a hardware device graphical representation in response to a transaction request being written to an area of shared memory associated with the graphical representation.