Sun Microsystems, Inc.

Mats Jansson

Deepak Alur

Cynthia F Beckett

Virginia C Hyde

A method and apparatus for performing event-driven data transfer operations over a global computer network. Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) format data is extracted from a database stored on a first computer system connected to a global computer network. The transaction data extracted from the database is then monitored to determine whether the data is ready to be transmitted to a second computer system connected to the global computer network. When ready, the transaction data is transmitted to the second computer system. The second computer system, in turn, receives the transaction data, monitors the data to determine whether the data is ready to be merged into a database stored on the second computer system, and merges the data into the database. Embodiments of the invention allow for secure data transfer operations to be performed on-line and in real-time. In addition, since a global computer network is utilized, there is no need to maintain a dedicated communication line between the first and the second computer system. Rather, a single network connection can be used by the first and the second computer system to communicate with any number of computer systems connected to the global computer network.

Event-driven servers for data extraction and merge for EDI transaction processing using the internet

A method and apparatus are provided for performing secure data transfer operations over a global computer network. This is accomplished by extracting data from a database stored on a first computer system connected to the global computer network, translating the data extracted from the database into a standard format, encrypting the formatted data, and transmitting the encrypted data to a second computer system connected to the global computer network. The second computer system, in turn, receives the encrypted data, decrypts it, translates into a format compatible with the second computer system and merges the reformatted data into a database stored on the second computer system. Unlike prior art techniques, in which data transfers are performed in batch off-line, the method and apparatus of the present invention allow for secure data transfer operations to be performed on-line in real-time. In addition, since a global computer network is utilized, there is no need to maintain a dedicated communication line between the first and the second computer system, but rather a single network connection can be used by the first and the second computer system to communicate with any number of computer systems connected to the global computer network.

Secure event-driven EDI transaction processing using the internet

A method and apparatus for performing bi-directional data transfer operations over a global computer network are provided. This is accomplished by extracting data from a database stored on a first computer system connected to the global network, transmitting the data extracted from the database to a second computer system connected to the global computer network, receiving on the first computer system data transmitted from the second computer system, and merging the data received from the second computer system into the database stored on the first computer system. These operations are performed in a substantially contemporaneous manner. Unlike prior art techniques, in which data transfers are performed in batch off-line, embodiments of the invention allow for secure data transfer operations to be performed on-line in real-time. In addition, since a global computer network is utilized, there is no need to maintain a dedicated communication line between the first and the second computer systems, but rather a single network connection can be used by the first and the second computer system to communicate with any number of computer systems connected to the global computer network.

Simultaneous bi-directional translation and sending of EDI service order data

A method and apparatus for performing reliable data transfer operations over a global computer network are provided. This is accomplished by transmitting data stored on a first computer system connected to the global computer network to a second computer system connected to the global computer network, sending a receipt acknowledgment signal to the first computer system when the data is received on the second computer system, monitoring acknowledgment signals received by the first computer system, and automatically transmitting the data via facsimile if the receipt of the data is not acknowledged within a predetermined time period. In addition, a paging signal is automatically transmitted to a the business partner to indicate that the data has been transferred by facsimile. Unlike prior art techniques, in which data transfers are performed in batch off-line, embodiments of the invention allow for secure data transfer operations to be performed on-line in real-time. In addition, since a global computer network is utilized, there is no need to maintain a dedicated communication line between the first and the second computer systems, but rather a single network connection can be used by the first and the second computer systems to communicate with any number of computer systems connected to the global computer network.

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Redwood City, CA, United States of America

Mats Jansson