Object oriented framework mechanism for metering objects

An object oriented framework mechanism for use in a computer system that supports an object oriented programming environment, the framework mechanism comprising:

• at least one metered entity object corresponding to a parameter to be metered;
• at least one metered entity configuration object containing configuration data for at least one metered entity;
• a second set of object methods to determine the configuration data for the at least one metered entity;
• at least one metered suite object containing at least one metered entity object;
• a third set of object methods to determine which of the metered entity objects are contained in the metered suite object;
• at least one configuration data object identifying the plurality of metered entity configuration objects;
• a fourth set of object methods to determine the configuration for the at least one metered entity;
• at least one metered data object containing a plurality of metered entity data objects;
• a fifth set of object methods to determine the metered data for the plurality of metered entity data objects;
• at least one metered entity data object containing metering data corresponding to at least one metered entity;
• at least one threshold object containing threshold data for the at least one metered entity;
• a sixth set of object methods to determine the threshold data for the at least one metered entity;
• at least one principal object corresponding to a type of item to be metered;
• and
• a seventh set of object methods for determining the names of the principal objects.

A computer-implemented method for metering at least one metered object in a computer program, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) invoking a client object method on a selected metered object;
• (b) determining whether any operations are required before executing the client object method;
• (c) performing any required operations before executing the client object method;
• (d) executing the client object method;
• (e) retrieving metered data for the selected metered object;
• (f) determining the configuration of the selected metered object;
• (g) updating the metered data for the selected metered object;
• (h) determining whether any operations are required after executing the client object method;
• and
• (i) performing any required operations after executing the client object method.

A program product comprising:

• (A) an object oriented framework mechanism for metering at least one metered object in a computer program, the framework mechanism including at least one metered entity object corresponding to a parameter to be metered, at least one metered entity configuration object containing configuration data for at least one metered entity, a second set of object methods to determine the configuration data for the at least one metered entity, at least one metered suite object containing at least one metered entity object, a third set of object methods to determine which of the metered entity objects are contained in the metered suite object, at least one configuration data object identifying the plurality of metered entity configuration objects, a fourth set of object methods to determine the configuration for the at least one metered entity, at least one metered data object containing a plurality of metered entity data objects, a fifth set of object methods to determine the metered data for the plurality of metered entity data objects, at least one metered entity data object containing metering data corresponding to at least one metered entity, at least one threshold object containing threshold data for the at least one metered entity, a sixth set of object methods to determine the threshold data for the at least one metered entity, at least one principal object corresponding to a type of item to be metered, and a seventh set of object methods for determining the names of the principal objects;
• and
• (B) computer-readable signal bearing media bearing the object oriented framework mechanism.

A method for metering at least one object in a computer program using a computer system having a central processing unit and a main memory, the main memory having an application program that provides an object oriented programming environment, the method comprising the steps of:

• (A) providing in the program an object oriented framework mechanism that meters the at least one object according to extended portions of the framework mechanism that are customized to provide a desired object metering environment, the framework mechanism including:
• a set of core functions wherein the implementation of the core functions is defined by the framework mechanism and cannot be modified by a user of the framework mechanism;
• and
• a set of extensible functions wherein the implementation of the extensible functions is defined by the user of the framework mechanism;
• (B) extending the extensible functions in the framework mechanism to define particular classes having predetermined protocols and defining particular object methods that meter the plurality of objects, the extensible functions defining the desired object metering environment;
• (C) generating an executable object metering system by integrating together the extensible functions and the core functions;
• and
• (D) executing the executable object metering system on the computer system to meter the plurality of objects.