Information exchange engine providing a critical infrastructure layer and methods of use thereof

Abstract

A virtual record manager and a data exchange engine are provided for dynamically defining data records in a database and for dynamically allocating instances of defined data records. These components are capable of mediating between the database and application and client interface layers to facilitate exchange of information over a network. Embodiments are configured to allow complex data records having a plurality of related fields, and to allow management and exchange of information at both the data field level and data record level.

1 .- 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . An infoCard for enabling a plurality of users to share information, the InfoCard configured to:
 pre-populate a plurality of user accounts with a minimum set of Virtual Objects (VOBs); and   allow a user of one of the plurality of user accounts to select a specific collection of pre-defined information fields.   
     
     
         12 . The InfoCard of  claim 11  wherein the at least a portion of the pre-defined information fields is shared for a defined period of time over a network. 
     
     
         13 . The InfoCard of  claim 11  wherein a portion of the selected information fields spans across VOBs. 
     
     
         14 . The InfoCard of  claim 11  wherein a minimum set of data is exchangeable between any two of the plurality of user accounts. 
     
     
         15 . A distributed Biz-to-Biz Electronic Information Exchange having a native record format, the Exchange configured to:
 define a mapping between a third party record format and a native record format of the Exchange; and   correlate a field ID for each class of a plurality of users with an output field name.   
     
     
         16 . The Exchange of  claim 15  wherein a portion of information associated with some of the plurality of users is shared for a defined period of time over a network. 
     
     
         17 . The Exchange of  claim 15  wherein the mapping is defined by a VRecord and wherein the output field name is selected by an author of the VRecord. 
     
     
         18 . The Exchange of  claim 15  wherein the mapping is based on at least two user classes. 
     
     
         19 . The Exchange of  claim 18  where the plurality of users include business users and individual users.