Systems and methods for coordinating computing functions to accomplish a task

Abstract

Systems and Methods are provided for coordinating computing functions to accomplish a task. The system includes a plurality of standardized executable application modules (SEAMs), each of which is configured to execute on a processor to provide a unique function and to generate an event associated with its unique function. The system includes a configuration file that comprises a dynamic data store (DDS) and a static data store (SDS). The DDS includes an event queue and one or more response queues. The SDS includes a persistent software object that is configured to map a specific event from the event queue to a predefined response record and to indicate a response queue into which the predefined response record is to be placed. The system further includes a workflow service module, the work flow service module being configured to direct communication between the SDS, the DDS and each of the plurality of SEAMs.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for coordinating functions within a computing device to accomplish a task, comprising:
 a plurality of independent standardized executable application modules (SEAMs), each SEAM configured to independently execute on a processor to provide a unique function and to generate an event associated with the unique function associated with each SEAM;   a computer readable storage medium having a configuration file recorded thereon, the computer readable storage medium comprising: a dynamic data store (DDS) and a static data store (SDS),
 wherein the DDS comprises an event queue and one or more response queues, and 
 wherein the SDS comprises a persistent software object, the persistent software object configured to map a specific event from the event queue to a pre-defined response record, and to assign a response queue into which the pre-defined response record is to be placed; and 
   a workflow service module, the work flow service module configured to direct communication between the SDS, the DDS and each of the plurality of SEAMs.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more response queues are hierarchical such that one response queue has a higher read priority than another and that all of the one or more response queues have a lower read priority than the event queue. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a customized adapter, wherein the event is received from one of a host application via the customized adapter and from one of the plurality of SEAMs. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the workflow service module is configured to store the event to the event queue and read the event from the event queue. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein when the workflow service module is configured to read the pre-defined response record in each successive response queue in order of their priority. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the workflow service module is further configured to query the SDS for the pre-defined response record associated with the event and to place the predefined response record into the indicated predefined response queue. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein when a new event is received into the event queue the workflow service module terminates reading any predefined response messages and reads the new event. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein when the workflow service module calls one of the plurality of SEAMs after reading a response record in the highest priority response queue. 
     
     
         9 . A method for coordinating functions of a computing device to accomplish a task, comprising:
 storing a plurality of independent standardized executable application modules (SEAMs) within the computing device, each SEAM configured to execute a unique function among the plurality of SEAMs and to generate an event associated with each SEAM's unique function;   installing a configuration file into the computing device comprising a dynamic data store (DDS) and a static data store (SDS),
 wherein the DDS comprises an event queue and one or more response queues, and 
 wherein the SDS comprises a state machine, the state machine configured to map a specific event to a predefined response record and indicating a response queue into which the predefined response record is to be placed, and 
   storing a workflow service module, the work flow service module configured to direct data communication between the SDS, the DDS and each of the plurality of SEAMs.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the one or more response queues are hierarchical such that one response queue has a higher read priority than another and the one or more response queues have a lower read priority than the event queue. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the workflow service module reads events serially from the event queue. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the event queue receives events from each of the plurality of SEAMs. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the workflow service module inputs an event read from the event queue as a query to the SDS and receives a response record and an indication of one of the one or more response queues into which to store the response record. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the workflow service module calls one of the plurality of SEAMs based on a content of the response record stored. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the called SEAM performs its unique function on data referred to in the response record and posts a second event into the event queue. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the workflow service module proceeds to read another event on the FIFO basis. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein when the event queue is empty, the workflow service module proceeds to read a first response record from a highest priority response queue containing a response record. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the workflow service module querys the SDS with the first response record and receives a second response record and an indication of one of the one or more response queues into which to store the second response record 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the workflow service module calls one of the plurality of SEAMs based on a content of a second response record stored the response queue. 
     
     
         20 . A method for coordinating functions of a computing device to accomplish a task, comprising:
 determining when an event queue stored on a memory device is empty;   when the event queue is not empty, reading an event from the event queue;   requesting a response record from a memory location based on the event;   storing the response record in a response queue;   when the event queue is empty, reading a response record from the response queue; and   making a function call to an application identified in the response record.