Methods for analyzing, limiting, and enhancing access to an internet API, web service, and data

摘要

The invention includes an API gateway server that monitors and controls the distribution of API elements from API sources to application developers based on a distribution rule set.

主权项

1. An application program interface (API) management server comprising:
an API source interface to i) send a request for one or more API elements to an API source, and ii) receive the one or more API elements from the API source, a processor to i) determine whether to allow a request from a client application for the one or more API elements based on a distribution rule set, wherein the distribution rule set includes a rule associated with a limit on a number of API calls, and ii) monitor distribution of the one or more API elements including monitoring of at least one of the number of API requests made by the client application over a period of time, usage trends by the client application, and usage trends based on Internet Protocol (IP) address; an interface to i) receive the request for the one or more API elements from the client application and ii) send the one or more API elements to the client application in response to a determination by the processor to allow the request; and a monitor interface to produce and display a web page that is capable of displaying (i) API access information of the API elements and (ii) an error code message, wherein the API access information includes API usage trend information, API usage plots, API access and usage amounts over a period of time, average API calls per developer, or average API calls per IP address, and wherein the error code message is specified by an API owner or provider.