ADAPTIVE METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CONVERTING MESSAGES BETWEEN DIFFERENT DATA FORMATS

1 . Computer-implemented method for converting messages between different data formats in a network for electronic data interchange (EDI), comprising the steps:

receiving ( 110 ) an electronic message from a participant of the network;

determining ( 120 ) at least one first possible data format of the electronic message, based on the content of the electronic message;

validating ( 130 ) the electronic message, based on the at least one first possible data format; and

converting ( 140 ) the message from the first data format into a second predetermined data format, using a message mapping definition associated with the first data format, if the validating step succeeds; and

learning a new data format that validates the electronic message and an associated message mapping definition otherwise.

2 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein a plurality of first possible data formats is determined and each possible data format of the plurality is validated.

3 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one possible data format is determined from a machine-readable non-volatile memory comprising a multitude of possible data formats.

4 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the data format is determined based on a proper subset of bits of the electronic message, having a predetermined size.

5 . The method according to claim 4 , wherein the proper subsets of bits is an initial bit sequence of the electronic message.

6 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the data format is further determined based on statistical evaluations of the electronic message.

7 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the first possible data format of the electronic message is determined using a neural network.

8 . The method according to claim 1 , further comprising the step of storing an association of the participant and the first data format in a machine-readable non-volatile memory for future reference, if the validating step succeeds.

9 . The method according to claim 8 , wherein the step of determining comprises the steps of:

checking, whether an association of the participant and an associated data format has already been stored in the machine-readable non-volatile memory; and

using the associated data format as the at least one possible data format of the electronic message, if yes.

10 . The method according to claim 1 , wherein the step of validating comprises the steps of:

automatically requesting the participant to confirm the first data format via an electronic communication channel;

validating the electronic message, if the first data format is confirmed by the participant.

11 . The method according to claim 3 , wherein the step of converting comprises the steps of:

retrieving a predetermined message mapping scheme associated with the first data format; and

applying the predetermined message mapping scheme to the electronic message in order to convert it into the second data format.

12 . System for converting messages between different data formats in a network for electronic data interchange (EDI), comprising a back-end server and a front-end server, the front-end server comprising:

means for receiving an electronic message from a participant of the network;

means for determining at least one first possible data format of the electronic message;

means for validating the electronic message, based on the at least one first possible data format; and

means for converting the message from the first data format into a second predetermined data format, if the validating step succeeds.