System and method for adding local resources for use by a mobile agent object

Abstract

System and method for importing service objects to a host computing environment. In one embodiment, a method includes the steps of executing a mobile agent object, (called a delivery-mobile agent object) in a mobile-agent runtime environment in a host computing environment and then installing a service object to be executable in the mobile-agent runtime environment.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 
     
         1 . A method for a mobile agent object to dynamically extend its capabilities, the method comprising:
 executing the mobile agent object in a mobile-agent runtime environment in a host computing environment; and   configuring the mobile agent object to install a service object executable in the mobile-agent runtime environment.   
     
     
         2 . A method, comprising:
 accessing, with a first host computing environment, a second host computing environment having a mobile-agent runtime environment; and   generating in the first host computing environment a first mobile-agent object operable to navigate to the second host computing environment and install a service object executable in the mobile-agent runtime environment.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the first mobile-agent object is further operable to discover available services associated with the mobile-agent runtime environment. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising generating in the first host computing environment a second mobile-agent object operable to navigate to the second host computing environment, discover available services associated with the mobile-agent runtime environment, and provide to the first host computing environment information associated with the available services. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the first mobile-agent object includes the service object. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2  wherein the first mobile-agent object includes at least one service module operable to realize a function of the service object. 
     
     
         7 . A computer-readable medium having stored thereon a data structure, comprising:
 a first instruction set that when executed by a computing device causes the data structure to navigate from a first host computing environment to a second host computing environment having a mobile-agent runtime environment; and   a second instruction set that when executed by a computing device causes the installation of a service object executable in the mobile-agent runtime environment.   
     
     
         8 . The medium of  claim 7  wherein the data structure further comprises at least one service module operable to realize a function of the service object and executable in the mobile-agent runtime environment. 
     
     
         9 . The medium of  claim 8  wherein the second instruction set, when executed, further causes the installation of the at least one service module in the mobile-agent runtime environment. 
     
     
         10 . The medium of  claim 7  wherein the data structure further comprises the service object. 
     
     
         11 . The medium of  claim 7  wherein the data structure further comprises a runtime-data set associated with the service object. 
     
     
         12 . The medium of  claim 7  wherein the data structure further comprises a third instruction set that when executed enables the use of an API associated with the second host computing environment. 
     
     
         13 . A computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions that when executed by a computing device perform the method of  claim 2 . 
     
     
         14 . A method of transferring the instructions of  claim 13  from at least one first computer to at least one second computer connected to the at least one first computer through a communication medium, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) accessing, on the at least one first computer, the instructions; and 
 (b) transferring the instructions from the at least one first computer to the at least one second computer through the communications medium.