Modular applications for mobile data system

Abstract

Operating sequences of a mobile data integration system include operational modules, also called transportable applications (“TransApps”), that are self contained and capable of being linked together with other operating sequences and TransApps. Each operational module can accept input data and can generate output data. The input data can be received from other modules, or from the application user, or from enterprise data sources. The output data can be provided to other modules, or to the application server (for enterprise data sources), or can be provided for display on the mobile computing device itself. Modules can be defined for the purpose of particular problem solutions, and such problem solution modules can be reused during other application design efforts. This supports reuse of earlier solutions to problems.

1 . A computer program system for constructing a modular computer program application for processing of data that is shared between multiple enterprise datasources and a mobile client that communicates with an application server, the system comprising: 
 designer means for specifying data to be requested from one or more of the multiple enterprise datasources and mapping the specified data to a single Defined Data Object at the application server; and    producer means for producing a transportable application that includes the request for the specified data and mapping such that the transportable application comprises a modular computer program application that can be installed at the application server for communication of the specified data with the mobile client, such that the application server will automatically link the transportable application with other transportable applications of the application server in accordance with their respective specified data and mappings.    
   
   
       2 . A system as defined in  claim 1 , wherein the designer means further comprises: 
 means for creating a Connection Object that exposes data interface objects at the application server that provide access to the specified data at the enterprise datasources;    means for creating one or more Command Objects that perform data actions on the specified data;    means for defining a Defined Data Object that specifies one or more data actions in the Command Objects; and    means for binding a View Object to the Defined Data Object such that the View object interfaces with the specified data.    
   
   
       3 . A system as defined in  claim 2 , wherein the data interface objects comprise one or more Adapter Objects at the application server.  
   
   
       4 . A system as defined in  claim 3 , wherein the Adapter Objects interface with the Connection Object to expose the data interface objects as data comprising a data table, a stored procedure, a script, or a data object.  
   
   
       5 . A system as defined in  claim 2 , wherein the means for creating one or more Command Objects permits selection of one or more commands on the specified data that include select data, insert data, update data, and delete data.  
   
   
       6 . A method of operating a modular computer program application for processing of data that is shared between multiple enterprise datasources and a mobile client that communicates with an application server, the method comprising: 
 specifying data to be requested from one or more of the multiple enterprise datasources and mapping the specified data to a single Defined Data Object at the application server; and    producing a transportable application that includes the request for the specified data and mapping such that the transportable application comprises a modular computer program application for operation at the application server for communication of the specified data with the mobile client, such that the application server will automatically link the transportable application with other transportable applications of the application server in accordance with their respective specified data and mappings.    
   
   
       7 . A method as defined in  claim 6 , further including: 
 creating a Connection Object that exposes data interface objects at the application server that provide access to the specified data at the enterprise datasources;    creating one or more Command Objects that perform data actions on the specified data;    defining a Defined Data Object that specifies one or more data actions in the Command Objects; and    binding a View Object to the Defined Data Object such that the View Object interfaces with the specified data.    
   
   
       8 . A method as defined in  claim 7 , wherein the data interface objects comprise one or more Adapter Objects at the application server.  
   
   
       9 . A method as defined in  claim 8 , further including interfacing the Adapter Objects with the Connection Object to expose the data interface objects as data comprising a data table, a stored procedure, a script, or a data object.  
   
   
       10 . A method as defined in  claim 7 , further including creating one or more Command Objects that permit selection of one or more commands on the specified data that include select data, insert data, update data, and delete data.  
   
   
       11 . A method of method of operating a modular computer program application for processing of data that is shared between multiple enterprise datasources and a mobile client that communicates with an application server, the method comprising: 
 specifying data to be requested from one or more of the multiple enterprise datasources and mapping the specified data to a single Defined Data Object at the application server;    creating a Connection Object that exposes data interface objects at the application server that provide access to the specified data at the enterprise datasources, wherein the data interface objects comprise one or more Adapter Objects at the application server and comprise data that is either a data table, a stored procedure, a script, or a data object;    creating one or more Command Objects that perform data actions on the specified data, wherein the Command Objects permit selection of one or more commands on the specified data that include commands including select data, insert data, update data, and delete data;    defining a Defined Data Object that specifies one or more data actions in the Command Objects;    binding a View Object to the Defined Data Object such that the View object interfaces with the specified data; and    producing a transportable application that includes the request for the specified data and mapping such that the transportable application comprises a modular computer program application that can be installed at the application server for communication of the specified data with the mobile client, such that the application server will automatically link the transportable application with other transportable applications of the application server in accordance with their respective specified data and mappings.    
   
   
       12 . A computer program system for processing of data that is shared between multiple enterprise datasources and a mobile client, the system comprising: 
 a processor that communicates with the mobile client and interfaces with the enterprise datasources through an application server;    a transportable application module that specifies data to be requested from one or more of the multiple enterprise datasources and specifies a mapping from the specified data to a single Defined Data Object, such that the transportable application module produces output and receives input for communication with the application server and mobile client, such that the processor automatically links the transportable application module with other transportable application modules of the computer program system in accordance with respective specified data and mappings of the transportable application module.    
   
   
       13 . A system as defined in  claim 12 , wherein the transportable application module further specifies: 
 a Connection Object that exposes data interface objects at the application server that provide access to the specified data at the enterprise datasources;    one or more Command Objects that perform data actions on the specified data;    a Defined Data Object that specifies one or more data actions in the Command Objects; and    a View Object that is bound to the Defined Data Object such that the View object interfaces with the specified data.    
   
   
       14 . A system as defined in  claim 13 , wherein the data interface objects comprise one or more Adapter Objects at the application server.  
   
   
       15 . A system as defined in  claim 14 , wherein the Adapter Objects interface with the Connection Object to expose the data interface objects as data comprising a data table, a stored procedure, a script, or a data object.  
   
   
       16 . A system as defined in  claim 13 , wherein the Command Objects permit selection of one or more commands on the specified data that include select data, insert data, update data, and delete data.  
   
   
       17 . A computer program system for processing of data that is shared between multiple enterprise datasources and a mobile client, the system comprising: 
 a processor that communicates with the mobile client and interfaces with the enterprise datasources through an application server;    a transportable application module data object stored in the system, wherein the transportable application module data object specifies data to be requested from one or more of the multiple enterprise datasources and specifies a mapping from the specified data to a single Defined Data Object, such that the transportable application module produces output and receives input for communication with the application server and mobile client, and such that the processor automatically links the transportable application module with other transportable application modules of the computer program system in accordance with respective specified data and mappings of the transportable application module, and wherein the transportable application module further specifies 
 a Connection Object that exposes data interface objects at the application server that provide access to the specified data at the enterprise datasources, wherein the data interface objects comprise one or more Adapter Objects at the application server and comprise data that is either a data table, a stored procedure, a script, or a data object,  
 one or more Command Objects that perform data actions on the specified data, wherein the Command Objects permit selection of one or more commands on the specified data that include commands including select data, insert data, update data, and delete data,  
 identifies a Defined Data Object that specifies one or more data actions in the Command Objects,  
 identifies a View Object that is bound to the Defined Data Object such that the View object interfaces with the specified data.