Method and apparatus for transferring data between process modules

A method of implementing a process having at least one process step, the method comprising:

• a) defining, with a first set of processor-readable instructions, at least one process module operable to implement at least one of said process steps, said at least one process module having at least one functional option and being operable to receive an input message including at least one input variable to be acted upon by said at least one process module, and an identification of which of said at least one functional options is to be rendered active during execution of said at least one process module, said at least one process module being operable to provide an output message including at least one output variable produced by said at least one process module and at least one status variable for providing a status indicator produced by said process module;
• b) defining in memory, with a second set of processor-readable instructions, a form structure having:
• i) a data definition portion defining input and output variables associated with said process;
• ii) a data map portion defining message contents for use in said input message;
• iii) a step definition portion for associating said message contents with at least one process step;
• and
• c) providing said input message to said at least one process module;
• and
• d) updating said data definition portion with data produced by said at least one process module.

An apparatus for transferring data between process modules of an overall process, the apparatus comprising:

• a) a processor-readable and writable memory configured to have:
• i) a data definition portion defining input and output variables associated with the process;
• ii) a data map portion defining message contents;
• iii) a step definition portion for associating the message contents with respective process modules;
• and
• b) a processor programmed with instructions to provide to each of the process modules a respective input message having contents specified by the data map portion and programmed to update said data definition portion in response to output messages produced by each of the process modules.

A apparatus for implementing a process having at least one process step, the apparatus comprising:

• a) processor-readable memory for storing:
• i) a first set of processor-readable instructions operable to provide at least one process module operable to implement said at least one process steps, said at least one process module having at least one functional option and being operable to receive an input message including at least one input variable to be acted upon by said at least one process module, and an identification of which of said at least one functional options is to be rendered active during execution of said at least one process module, said at least one process module being operable to provide an output message including at least one output variable produced by said at least one process module and at least one status variable for providing a status indicator produced by said process module;
• ii) a second set of processor-readable instructions, for:
• A) defining a form structure in a second memory, said form structure having:
• 1) a data definition portion defining input and output variables associated with the process;
• 2) a data map portion defining message contents for use in the input message;
• 3) a step definition portion for associating the message contents with at least one process step;
• and
• B) providing said input message to said at least one process module;
• C) updating said data definition portion with data produced by said at least one process module;
• and
• b) a processor operable to be directed by said first and second sets of instructions.

A computer readable memory medium on which is stored a set of processor-readable instructions, for:

• a) defining a form structure in a computer memory, said form structure having:
• 1) a data definition portion defining input and output variables associated with a process;
• 2) a data map portion defining message contents for use in an input message operable to be provided to a process module implementing at least one step in said process;
• 3) a step definition portion for associating the message contents with at least one process step in said process;
• and
• b) providing said input message to said process module implementing said at least one step in said process;
• and
• c) updating said data definition portion with data produced by said process module.