Abstract: A method for metering on-demand service (ODS) resource consumption by a user comprising a web services interface, a processing engine, and configuration data. A data gathering agent in the ODS stores the usage data in records, combines the records into packets, and transmits the packets to the web services interface. The web services interface passes the packets onto the processing engine, which stores the records in the packet into a database. The generalized format of the record is critical because it allows the metrics to be stored in the record table with the usage data. When a record contains an instruction to close a UOW, the processing engine applies the configuration data comprising composition rules and record selection rules to the database. The record selection rules select the desired records from the database. The composition rules aggregate, normalize, and compose the selected records to produce a metric.

Abstract: A method for metering on-demand service (ODS) resource consumption by a user comprising a web services interface, a processing engine, and configuration data. A data gathering agent in the ODS stores the usage data in records, combines the records into packets, and transmits the packets to the web services interface. The web services interface passes the packets onto the processing engine, which stores the records in the packet into a database. The generalized format of the record is critical because it allows the metrics to be stored in the record table with the usage data. When a record contains an instruction to close a UOW, the processing engine applies the configuration data comprising composition rules and record selection rules to the database. The record selection rules select the desired records from the database. The composition rules aggregate, normalize, and compose the selected records to produce a metric.

Abstract: A method for metering on-demand service (ODS) resource consumption by a user comprising a web services interface, a processing engine, and configuration data. A data gathering agent in the ODS stores the usage data in records, combines the records into packets, and transmits the packets to the web services interface. The web services interface passes the packets onto the processing engine, which stores the records in the packet into a database. The generalized format of the record is critical because it allows the metrics to be stored in the record table with the usage data. When a record contains an instruction to close a UOW, the processing engine applies the configuration data comprising composition rules and record selection rules to the database. The record selection rules select the desired records from the database. The composition rules aggregate, normalize, and compose the selected records to produce a metric.

Abstract: An infrastructure for on-demand service delivery receiving a request for a service to be performed from a service consumer with an information payload; decomposing requested service into essential or primitive functions; dynamically composing a sequence of a plurality of service elements corresponding to the essential or primitive functions to accomplish the service by employing a function call and return decomposition and recomposition paradigm; creating a control header and information payload, the control header encapsulating the sequence; repeatedly dispatching the control header to each service element in the sequence until all service elements have processed the information payload; and returning the processed information payload to the service consumer.

Abstract: A method and implementing computer system are provided in which a unique primary key is generated to identify an original message which is received for processing. The record for the original message is stored at the primary key. As the message is propagated to the services that are to be performed on the original message, the primary key is also passed to the service. Derivative messages which are produced as a result of the services applied to the original message are identified with the primary key code along with additional derivative key codes related to services applied to the original message. The resulting derivative message storing and tracking process provides a means by which derivative messages are readily identified and associated with an original message as well as the services performed upon the original message in generating the derivative message.

Abstract: A method and implementing computer system are provided in which a unique primary key is generated to identify an original message which is received for processing. The record for the original message is stored at the primary key. As the message is propagated to the services that are to be performed on the original message, the primary key is also passed to the service. Derivative messages which are produced as a result of the services applied to the original message are identified with the primary key code along with additional derivative key codes related to services applied to the original message. The resulting derivative message storing and tracking process provides a means by which derivative messages are readily identified and associated with an original message as well as the services performed upon the original message in generating the derivative message.

Abstract: A system and method for binding processes in an e-commerce HUB are present. The e-commerce HUB manages transaction processes between trading partners by tracking document exchange instances and translating documents and business processes as needed. The e-commerce HUB supports multiple connection methods and provides an open forum for small businesses to become trading partners with large businesses without supporting multiple business processes. The e-commerce HUB may allow or restrict e-commerce transactions with other members based on permissions associated with member profiles.

Abstract: A system and method for partial ordering service capabilities in an e-marketplace hub is presented. A recipient trading partner sets receive message constraints and a sending trading partner specifies sending message capabilities. The e-marketplace hub compares the receive message constraints with the sending message capabilities. If the sending message capabilities are a subset of the receive message constraints, the e-marketplace hub establishes a trading partner link between the sending trading partner and the recipient trading partner so the sending trading partner may send messages to the recipient trading partner. The e-marketplace hub may recursively compare sending message capabilities with receive message constraints at various levels to ensure a valid trading partner link.

Abstract: A method for metering on-demand service (ODS) resource consumption by a user comprising a web services interface, a processing engine, and configuration data. A data gathering agent in the ODS stores the usage data in records, combines the records into packets, and transmits the packets to the web services interface. The web services interface passes the packets onto the processing engine, which stores the records in the packet into a database. The generalized format of the record is critical because it allows the metrics to be stored in the record table with the usage data. When a record contains an instruction to close a UOW, the processing engine applies the configuration data comprising composition rules and record selection rules to the database. The record selection rules select the desired records from the database. The composition rules aggregate, normalize, and compose the selected records to produce a metric.

Abstract: Mutual authentication between a client and server over the Internet utilizing the IOP protocol in its current state is enabled by first engaging in a “dummy” request when a client initiates a request to a new target server for the first time. This provides the means for creating a two way authentication mechanism. Rather than creating an object reference for the dummy request, the object reference at hand in the client, which the client is about to utilize for a request, is reused by extracting a proxy object from the request. The request is intercepted in the client and the proxy object passed to the interception method. The client next issues a two-way remote method already defined for the proxy object, such as the “non_existent( )” method defined on the CORBA object. The client then computes a security token, and sends the dummy request to the server.

Abstract: An infrastructure for on-demand service delivery utilizing a dispatcher component driving service elements that are unaware of each other. The composition of service elements is developed using a rules-based data store. Upon receipt of a service request, it is decomposed and recomposed into a sequence of functions to be performed by various service elements. A control data structure is repeatedly dispatched by a hub to each service element in the sequence, with each service element returning the control data structure to the hub for subsequent dispatch to a next service element. After all functions have been performed, a processed data structure is returned to the requesting client. A method for registering and deregistering service elements with the hub is also provided.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are disclosed for defining a process within a data processing system. Process nodes are identified within the system. Each one of the process nodes is graphically presented to a user. An example input is generated. The example input is a particular type. The system is then taught how to process the particular type of input by graphically guiding the example input through selected ones of the process nodes. The example input is processed by the selected process nodes as the example input is guided through these selected nodes.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are disclosed for registering with a service provided by a processing node. A process definition is generated. The process definition includes a particular sequence of selected services that are provided by processing nodes. The process definition is then graphically depicted to a user. A graphical selection of any one of the processing nodes is permitted utilizing the graphical depiction. In response to a receipt of a selection of one of the processing nodes, a registration form is providing by the processing node. Registration information is then received by the processing node through the registration form. Thus, registration is completed directly with the processing node.

Abstract: A method and implementing computer system are provided in which a unique primary key is generated to identify an original message which is received for processing. The record for the original message is stored at the primary key. As the message is propagated to the services that are to be performed on the original message, the primary key is also passed to the service. Derivative messages which are produced as a result of the services applied to the original message are identified with the primary key code along with additional derivative key codes related to services applied to the original message. The resulting derivative message storing and tracking process provides a means by which derivative messages are readily identified and associated with an original message as well as the services performed upon the original message in generating the derivative message.

Abstract: A system and method for partial ordering service capabilities in an e-marketplace hub is presented. A recipient trading partner sets receive message constraints and a sending trading partner specifies sending message capabilities. The e-marketplace hub compares the receive message constraints with the sending message capabilities. If the sending message capabilities are a subset of the receive message constraints, the e-marketplace hub establishes a trading partner link between the sending trading partner and the recipient trading partner so the sending trading partner may send messages to the recipient trading partner. The e-marketplace hub may recursively compare sending message capabilities with receive message constraints at various levels to ensure a valid trading partner link.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of automating the matching of business to business processes. One or more companies may submit their transmission capabilities. The companies' transmission capabilities may be stored in a managed hub. One company may send a request to do business with another company. The possible translation paths between the two companies may be computed.

Abstract: A system and method for binding processes in an e-commerce HUB are present. The e-commerce HUB manages transaction processes between trading partners by tracking document exchange instances and translating documents and business processes as needed. The e-commerce HUB supports multiple connection methods and provides an open forum for small businesses to become trading partners with large businesses without supporting multiple business processes. The e-commerce HUB may allow or restrict e-commerce transactions with other members based on permissions associated with member profiles.

Abstract: A method for managing a data transfer between a first device and an allocated portion of common memory including the steps of receiving a reallocation request of the allocated portion of common memory from a second device, receiving a veto of the requested reallocation from the first device, and delaying the reallocation request. In addition, a method for transferring data between a peripheral device and a common memory in a virtual memory system including the steps of instructing the peripheral device to transfer data with an allocated portion of the common memory, requesting a reallocation of the allocated portion of the common memory, and receiving a veto of the requested reallocation from the peripheral device in response to the instructed data transfer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided which allows a computer graphics system to accurately determine the actual depth value for pixels on a display screen which lie at the same depth as an associated surface. The associated surface is identified such that the delta z value with respect to the x and y direction along the surface can be calculated. The present invention then determines whether the line being considered is contained within a surface, or is an edge lying between, and adjacent to two surfaces. If the line is contained within a surface, the delta z value is initially added to the known endpoints of the line and then successively added, in the incremental x or y directions, to the pixels selected to represent the line. If the line is an edge, and includes selected pixels which lie on both associated surfaces, a filter is invoked that prevents those pixels corresponding to the surface, other than the surface first being considered, from being processed.