Patent ID: 7082608
Filing Date: 2006-07-25
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A computer-implemented method for providing a virtual device container to virtually extend the functionality of a network device on a network for supporting a plurality of functional application modules residing in a server on the network, said method comprising the steps of: receiving a function request sent from one of the functional application modules, the function request corresponding to the network device; selecting one of a plurality of functional component modules in response to the function request, each of the functional component modules corresponding to a respective one of the functional application modules, the selected functional component module corresponding to the functional application module which sent the function request; and executing the selected functional component module according to the function request, wherein each functional component module communicates with the corresponding functional application module through a first interface and communicates with the network device through a second interface; wherein the first interface is a dedicated software bus, the software bus being managed by a software bus control module, and wherein each of said functional component modules and each of said functional application modules contain a software bus connector module which supports communication over the dedicated software bus.