System and method for extending SCIM / service broker processing IMS initial filter criteria (IFC) for pipeline processing

A method that integrates pipeline processing into a service broker environment, the method comprising:

• providing a plurality of applications, executing on one or more application servers, wherein each application server executes on one or more microprocessors;
• providing a service broker, wherein the service broker is operable to manage activation of the plurality of applications in one or more application chains, in forward and backward directions;
• including, in at least one application chain of the one or more application chains, a pipeline block, wherein the pipeline block comprises two or more applications of the plurality of applications;
• orchestrating processing, by the service processor, of the pipeline block by activating the two or more applications of the plurality of applications in the pipeline block in a same order for messages routed via the pipeline block in both forward and backward directions of the messages relative to the pipeline block;
• and
• including, in the service broker, filter criteria comprising a unidirectional group extension element associated with the pipeline block, the unidirectional group extension element indicating that the two or more applications of the plurality of applications which are grouped in the pipeline block are to be executed in the same order for the messages routed via the pipeline block in both the forward and the backward directions of the messages relative to the pipeline block.

A non-transitory computer readable storage medium including instructions stored thereon which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the steps of:

• providing a plurality of applications, executing on one or more application servers, wherein each application server executes on one or more microprocessors;
• providing a service broker, wherein the service broker is operable to manage activation of the plurality of applications in one or more application chains, in forward and backward directions;
• including, in at least one application chain of the one or more application chains, a pipeline block, wherein the pipeline block comprises two or more applications of the plurality of applications;
• orchestrating processing, by the service broker, of the pipeline block by activating the two or more applications of the plurality of applications in the pipeline block in a same order for messages routed via the pipeline block in both forward and backward directions of the messages relative to the pipeline block;
• and
• including, in the service broker, filter criteria comprising a unidirectional group extension element associated with the pipeline block, the unidirectional group extension element indicating that the two or more applications of the plurality of applications which are grouped in the pipeline block are to be executed in the same order for the messages routed via the pipeline block in both the forward and the backward directions of the messages relative to the pipeline block.