Deriving overlay information from a user input for a base message schema associated with a node in a message flow

摘要

There is disclosed a method, apparatus and computer program for deriving overlay information from a user input for a base message schema associated with a node in a message flow. The base message schema is presented to the user and has at least one variable portion. A user selection of a variable portion of the base schema is received. The user is then provided with possible overlay schema information for the selected variable portion. A user selection of the schema to be overlaid on the selected variable portion is received. The selected overlay schema is associated with the base schema.

主权项

1. A method for deriving overlay information from a user input for a base message schema associated with a first node in a message flow, wherein the base message scheme defines a format of messages for a first terminal the first node, the method comprising:
presenting a base message schema to a user, the base message schema having a variable portion, wherein the variable portion comprises a weakly typed field having a content structure that is variable so that the base message schema does not describe an underlying message structure fully enough to enable a second terminal of a second node to interact with a first terminal of the first node of the message flow; receiving a user selection of the variable portion of the base message schema; providing the user with possible overlay schema information for the variable portion; receiving a user selection of the possible overlay schema to be overlaid on the variable portion, wherein the user selection provides definitional information for the weakly typed field; and associating the user selection, referred to as an overlay schema, with the base message schema; and communicating a message between the first and second nodes per the message flow in accordance with the base message schema using the user selection to further describe the weakly type field enabling the second terminal of the second node to interact with the first terminal of the first node.