Apparatus and method for aggregating web services

Abstract

An apparatus and method for aggregating web services in generating a user interface for a computing device. Web service descriptions are received that define a web service interface to each of a plurality of web services. The web service descriptions are processed to identify inputs to first web services obtainable by invoking one or more second web services. A user interface is generated for the computing device that aggregates these first and second web services. By identifying instances in which the input to one web service may be obtained by invoking another web service, a user interface which aggregates these web services may be automatically generated.

1 . A method of aggregating web services in generating a user interface for a computing device, the method comprising:
 generating one or more user interfaces through which input data is obtainable and output data is displayable;   providing said one or more user interfaces, wherein in use, at least one web service is invoked using input data obtained through said one or more user interfaces, and wherein output data from said at least one web service is displayed through said one or more user interfaces;   monitoring said input data obtained and said output data displayed during use of said one or more user interfaces to identify patterns in said input data and said output data that suggest that an input to a first web service is obtainable from output of a second web service; and   generating a new user interface for said computing device if said patterns are identified, wherein in use, the first web service is automatically invoked using output data from the second web service when the second web service is invoked through said new user interface.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said new user interface is adapted to display output data from said first web service. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising generating code for said user interface, and storing said code in a storage device. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising transmitting said code from said storage device to said computing device. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising executing said code on said computing device. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said new user interface is adapted to prompt for input data and receive said input data in said new user interface for invoking said second web service. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said patterns are identified by detecting instances where said input data obtained through said one or more user interfaces matches output data displayed through said one or more user interfaces. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said patterns are identified by detecting instances in which selected data from output data displayed to said at least one user through said one or more user interfaces is copied to an input field on said one or more user interfaces, in which data in said input field is used to invoke a web service. 
   
   
       9 . An apparatus programmed to perform a method of aggregating web services in generating a user interface for a physical computing device, comprising a microprocessor configured to perform acts comprising:
 generating one or more user interfaces through which input data is obtainable and output data is displayable;   providing said one or more user interfaces, wherein in use, at least one web service is invoked using input data obtained through said one or more user interfaces, and wherein output data from the at least one web service is displayed through said one or more user interfaces;   monitoring said input data obtained and said output data displayed during use of said one or more user interfaces to identify patterns in said input data and said output data that suggest that an input to a first web service is obtainable from output of a second web service; and   generating a new user interface for said computing device if said patterns are identified, wherein in use, the first web service is automatically invoked using output data from the second web service when the second web service is invoked through said new user interface.   
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the apparatus is a mobile device. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein said new user interface is adapted to display output data from said first web service. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , said acts further comprising generating code for said user interface, and storing said code in a storage device. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 12 , said acts further comprising transmitting said code from said storage device to said computing device. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , said acts further comprising executing said code on said computing device. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein said new user interface is adapted to prompt for input data and receive said input data in said new user interface for invoking said second web service. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein said patterns are identified by detecting instances where said input data obtained through said one or more user interfaces matches output data displayed through said one or more user interfaces. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein said patterns are identified by detecting instances in which selected data from output data displayed to said at least one user through said one or more user interfaces is copied to an input field on said one or more user interfaces, in which data in said input field is used to invoke a web service. 
   
   
       18 . A physical computer-readable medium upon which a set of software components is stored, the software components containing instructions for performing acts in a method of aggregating web services in generating a user interface for a computing device, said acts comprising:
 generating one or more user interfaces through which input data is obtainable and output data is displayable;   providing said one or more user interfaces, wherein in use, at least one web service is invoked using input data obtained through said one or more user interfaces, and wherein output data from said at least one web service is displayed through said one or more user interfaces;   monitoring said input data obtained and said output data displayed during use of said one or more user interfaces to identify patterns in said input data and said output data that suggest that an input to a first web service is obtainable from output of a second web service; and   generating a new user interface for said computing device if said patterns are identified, wherein in use, the first web service is automatically invoked using output data from the second web service when the second web service is invoked through said new user interface.   
   
   
       19 . The medium of  claim 18 , wherein said new user interface is adapted to display output data from said first web service. 
   
   
       20 . The medium of  claim 18 , said acts further comprising generating code for said user interface, and storing said code in a storage device. 
   
   
       21 . The medium of  claim 20 , said acts further comprising transmitting said code from said storage device to said computing device. 
   
   
       22 . The medium of  claim 20 , said acts further comprising executing said code on said computing device. 
   
   
       23 . The medium of  claim 18 , wherein said new user interface is adapted to prompt for input data and receive said input data in said new user interface for invoking said second web service. 
   
   
       24 . The medium of  claim 18 , wherein said patterns are identified by detecting instances where said input data obtained through said one or more user interfaces matches output data displayed through said one or more user interfaces. 
   
   
       25 . The medium of  claim 18 , wherein said patterns are identified by detecting instances in which selected data from output data displayed to said at least one user through said one or more user interfaces is copied to an input field on said one or more user interfaces, in which data in said input field is used to invoke a web service.