System and method for enabling arbitrary components to transfer data between each other

Abstract

Methods and systems for enabling arbitrary components to transfer data without having a priori knowledge of each other. The data transfer system includes a set of arbitrary components associated with one or more universal data transfer interfaces. The one or more universal data transfer interfaces comprise a data source interface and a data sink interface. The universal interfaces can be provided to and performed by each other to enable the components to transfer data between each other despite utilizing different communication protocols or understanding different data types. Further, the components may directly request and directly receive data from other components or may initiate transmitting data directly to other components. Moreover, a component may initiate a data transfer session between one or more other components to enable the components to transfer data between each other.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A system for enabling components to transfer data between each other, the system comprising: 
 a first component having a universal data transfer interface; and    a second component invoking the universal data transfer interface to use a data transfer session object to transfer data between the first component and at least one of the components.    
     
     
         2 . The system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the at least one of the components comprises the second component or a third component.  
     
     
         3 . The system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the at least one of the components sends the data transfer session object to the first component to be used by the first component for receiving data transmitted from the at least one of the components.  
     
     
         4 . The system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the at least one of the components receives the data transfer session object from the first component to be used by the at least one of the components for receiving data transmitted from the first component.  
     
     
         5 . The system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the universal data transfer interface and the data transfer session object have source-specific object-oriented mobile code that can be interpreted and performed by the first component or the at least one of the components to receive data.  
     
     
         6 . The system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the data transfer session object comprises instructions for enabling the first component or the at least one of the components to negotiate with each other to transfer data, for selecting a communications protocol to use to transfer data between each other based upon a type of data being transferred or for selecting a transfer medium to use to transfer data based upon the type of data.  
     
     
         7 . The system as set forth in  claim 1  wherein data transfer ceases upon the first component or the at least one of the components failing to renew a data transfer lease or indicating that the data transfer has completed or failed.  
     
     
         8 . A system for enabling components to transfer data between each other, the system comprising: 
 a first component having a first universal data transfer interface;    a second component having a second universal data transfer interface; and    a third component invoking the first universal data transfer interface and the second universal data transfer interface to use a data transfer session object to transfer data between the first component and the second component.    
     
     
         9 . The system as set forth in  claim 8  wherein the third component sends the data transfer session object to the first component to be used by the first component for receiving data transmitted from the second component.  
     
     
         10 . The system as set forth in  claim 8  wherein the third component sends the data transfer session object to the second component to be used by the second component for receiving data transmitted from the third component.  
     
     
         11 . The system as set forth in  claim 8  wherein data transfer ceases upon the first component or the at least one of the components failing to renew a data transfer lease or indicating that the data transfer has completed or failed.  
     
     
         12 . A method for enabling components to transfer data between each other, the method comprising: 
 invoking a universal data transfer interface to obtain a data transfer session object; and    using the data transfer session object to transfer data between a first component and at least one of the components.    
     
     
         13 . The method as set forth in  claim 12  wherein the at least one of the components comprises the second component or a third component.  
     
     
         14 . The method as set forth in  claim 12  further comprising sending the data transfer session object to the first component to be used by the first component for receiving data transmitted from the at least one of the components.  
     
     
         15 . The method as set forth in  claim 12  further comprising receiving the data transfer session object from the first component to be used by the at least one of the components for receiving data transmitted from the first component.  
     
     
         16 . The method as set forth in  claim 12  wherein the universal data transfer interface and the data transfer session object have source-specific object-oriented mobile code that can be interpreted and performed by the first component or the at least one of the components to receive data.  
     
     
         17 . The method as set forth in  claim 12  wherein the data transfer session object comprises instructions for enabling the first component or the at least one of the components to negotiate with each other to transfer data, for selecting a communications protocol to use to transfer data between each other based upon a type of data being transferred or for selecting a transfer medium to use to transfer data based upon the type of data.  
     
     
         18 . The method as set forth in  claim 12  further comprising ceasing data transfer upon the first component or the at least one of the components failing to renew a data transfer lease or indicating that the data transfer has completed or failed.  
     
     
         19 . A method for enabling components to transfer data between each other, the method comprising: 
 invoking a first universal data transfer interface and a second universal data transfer interface;    obtaining a data transfer session object from one of the invoked first universal data transfer interface or the second universal data transfer interface; and    using the data transfer session object to transfer data between a first component and a second component.    
     
     
         20 . The method as set forth in  claim 19  further comprising sending the data transfer session object to the first component to be used by the first component for receiving data transmitted from the second component.  
     
     
         21 . The method as set forth in  claim 19  further comprising sending the data transfer session object to the second component to be used by the second component for receiving data transmitted from a third component.  
     
     
         22 . The method as set forth in  claim 19  further comprising ceasing data transfer upon the first component or the at least one of the components failing to renew a data transfer lease or indicating that the data transfer has completed or failed.  
     
     
         23 . A computer readable medium having stored thereon instructions for enabling components to transfer data between each other, which when executed by one or more processors, causes the processors to perform: 
 invoking a universal data transfer interface to obtain a data transfer session object; and    using the data transfer session object to transfer data between a first component and at least one of the components.    
     
     
         24 . The medium as set forth in  claim 23  wherein the at least one of the components comprises the second component or a third component.  
     
     
         25 . The medium as set forth in  claim 23  further comprising sending the data transfer session object to the first component to be used by the first component for receiving data transmitted from the at least one of the components.  
     
     
         26 . The medium as set forth in  claim 23  further comprising receiving the data transfer session object from the first component to be used by the at least one of the components for receiving data transmitted from the first component.  
     
     
         27 . The medium as set forth in  claim 23  wherein the universal data transfer interface and the data transfer session object have source-specific object-oriented mobile code that can be interpreted and performed by the first component or the at least one of the components to receive data.  
     
     
         28 . The medium as set forth in  claim 23  wherein the data transfer session object comprises instructions for enabling the first component or the at least one of the components to negotiate with each other to transfer data, for selecting a communications protocol to use to transfer data between each other based upon a type of data being transferred or for selecting a transfer medium to use to transfer data based upon the type of data.  
     
     
         29 . The medium as set forth in  claim 23  further comprising ceasing data transfer upon the first component or the at least one of the components failing to renew a data transfer lease or indicating that the data transfer has completed or failed.  
     
     
         30 . A computer readable medium having stored thereon instructions for enabling components to transfer data between each other, which when executed by one or more processors, causes the processors to perform: 
 invoking a first universal data transfer interface and a second universal data transfer interface;    obtaining a data transfer session object from one of the invoked first universal data transfer interface or the second universal data transfer interface; and    using the data transfer session object to transfer data between a first component and a second component.    
     
     
         31 . The medium as set forth in  claim 30  further comprising sending the data transfer session object to the first component to be used by the first component for receiving data transmitted from the second component.  
     
     
         32 . The medium as set forth in  claim 30  further comprising sending the data transfer session object to the second component to be used by the second component for receiving data transmitted from a third component.  
     
     
         33 . The medium as set forth in  claim 30  further comprising ceasing data transfer upon the first component or the at least one of the components failing to renew a data transfer lease or indicating that the data transfer has completed or failed.