Patent ID: 6922705

Claim:
In the Internet, a method for a service provider application service executing on a service provider computer to provide a directory service of application services accessible using an Internet Protocol, the method comprising: a) the service provider application service receives a request communication communicated from an end-user application process of an end-user computer wherein the request is one of: i) a request to register an application service, wherein the request includes required registration information, or, ii) a request to register an application service, wherein the request includes required registration information and one or more optional registration information, or, iii) a request to query for an application service, wherein the request includes criteria for selecting an application service, or, iv) a request to select and connect to an accessible application service, wherein the request includes criteria for selecting the application service, b) the service provider application service interacts with a directory service of registered application services to satisfy the request; c) and in response thereto, the service provider application service sends a response communication to the end-user application process.