Patent ID: 7421494
Filing Date: 2008-09-02
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method for transferring data between system components, comprising: receiving a transfer session object at a data sink component through a universal data transfer interface, wherein the transfer session object contains mobile code which includes executable content with a functionality that implements a source-specific data transfer protocol for communicating with a data source component; executing the mobile code; and retrieving data from the data source component through the transfer session object, whereby the data sink component can retrieve data from the data source component without having to be preconfigured with the source-specific data transfer protocol for communicating with the data source component; wherein if the data sink component does not indicate continued proof of interest for a predetermined amount of time, the data source component and the data sink component automatically clean up their state, without the need for any ongoing communication; wherein prior to obtaining the transfer session object from the data source component, a client: performs a discovery operation to discover available components in the system; inspects the available components to determine which universal interfaces are supported by each available component; selects the data source component from the available components; and selects the data sink component from the available components.