Patent ID: 7664867

Claim:
A computer implemented method comprising: receiving, from a web service client, a message at a queue, wherein the message is directed to a web service and includes a timestamp provided by the web service client; determining if the web service is available, and a length of time the message is held in the queue prior to delivery to the web service, including pinging or otherwise contacting the web service to determine its availability, and if the web is not available, then delaying forwarding the message and continuing to measure the length of time the message is in the queue, and if the web service is available, and if the message is held in the queue longer than a threshold duration, then adding to the message a delay indication which is representative of the length of time the message is held in the queue; forwarding the message from the queue to the web service after the length of time; determining, at the web service, an effective lifetime of the message based on the timestamp and any delay indication specified within the message; using the effective lifetime to determine freshness of the message, including comparing the effective lifetime of the message with a freshness policy or threshold value, and if the effective lifetime of the message adheres to the freshness policy or threshold value then determining the message is fresh, and if the effective lifetime of the message does not adhere to the freshness policy or threshold value then determining the message is not fresh, and handling the message accordingly; and wherein a processor is used to determine whether the message has been in the queue longer than the threshold duration.