Message translation using adaptive agents

• US 20040162823A1
• Filed: 02/13/2003
• Published: 08/19/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: SAP AG (SAP SE)
• Original Assignee: SAP AG (SAP SE)
• Inventors: van de Loo, Kaj, Chen, Shuyuan
• Application Number:
  US10/366,180
• Publication Number:
  US 20040162823A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 707/4
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/252 between a Database Management System and a front-end application
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/258 Data format conversion from or to a database

Abstract

A message translation system and process useful in handling translation between different formats of messages when integrating software applications. The message translation system and process utilizes a map database, external mapping services and a mapping knowledge base. Adaptive agents are used to update the mapping knowledge base.

Claims

1. A message translation system for handling message translation including syntax and data translation comprising:

an interface, said interface accepting a message to be translated and communicating with at least one external translation service capable of providing a mapping;

a mapping database, said mapping database storing existing mappings;

a mapping knowledge base, said mapping knowledge base being capable of being used to build mappings;

a mapping agent, said mapping agent communicating with said interface, said mapping database and said mapping knowledge base to manage mappings to be used in translation of messages.

2. The message translation system as in claim 1, further comprising a user interface, said user interface providing a work list for mappings determined to not be acceptable and a mapping workbench permitting a user to work on mappings.

3. The message translation system as in claim 2, wherein said work list may be completed by said user working on said mapping workbench or through an algorithm functioning without user intervention.

4. The message translation system as in claim 1, wherein said mapping knowledge base comprises relationship information, said relationship information comprising field information and data information.

5. The message translation system as in claim 1, wherein said mapping knowledge base comprises experience information.

6. The message translation system as in claim 5, wherein said experience information is updated based upon successful mappings.

7. The message translation system as in claim 5, wherein said experience information is updated based upon work results of work performed in response to said work list.

8. The message translation system as in claim 1, wherein said mapping knowledge base comprises proximities information.

9. A process for translating messages between different formats comprising the steps of:

determining if a stored map can be used to perform said translation;

if said stored map can be used to perform said translation, utilizing said stored map to perform said translation;

if said stored map cannot be used to perform said translation, determining if an external service can be used to obtain an external map to use in said translation;

if said external service can be used to obtain said external map, obtaining said external map and performing said translation utilizing said external map;

if said external service cannot be used to obtain said external map, generating an internal map and utilizing said internal map to perform said translation.

10. The process for translating messages as in claim 9, wherein said generating said internal map step comprises identifying a format of said message and a proximity to similar formats.

11. The process for translating messages as in claim 9, wherein said generating said internal map step comprises identifying document building blocks.

12. The process for translating messages as in claim 9, wherein said generating said internal map step comprises performing possible partial mappings and generating an internal mapping.

13. The process for translating messages as in claim 12, wherein said generating said internal map step comprises calculating completeness of an internal mapping and a confidence level.

14. The process for translating messages as in claim 13, wherein said generating said internal map step further comprises determining if said internal mapping is complete and satisfactory, said satisfaction being determined by comparing said confidence level to a pre-determined threshold.

15. The process for translating messages as in claim 14, wherein said generating said internal map step further comprises preparing a work list if said confidence level falls below said pre-determined threshold.

16. The process for translating messages as in claim 15, wherein generating said internal map step comprises updating a mapping knowledge base with information obtained from results of work performed as required by said work list.

17. The process for translating messages as in claim 15, wherein generating said internal map step comprises updating a mapping knowledge base with information obtained from successful mappings.