CAM:XForms

This page is to discuss a general XForms-based specification to be used across the CAM, Mobile MRS, etc. projects intended to support distributed, disconnected data collection in rural areas of the developing world.

Subset of XForms Spec to Support

Specify subset of XForms elements that will be supported.

• XPath
  • Only basic XPath support (/myData/name/firstName)
• Instance
  • Single instance within model element
  • External instance
• Bind
  • Attributes: id, nodeset, type
• DataTypes
  • string, int, boolean, date
• Input elements
  • Label
  • Hint
• Select1 elements
  • Label
  • Hint
  • Radio buttons only (no dropdown)
• Select elements
  • Label
  • Hint
  • Radio buttons only (no dropdown)

Extensions

Discuss possible extensions to the XForms spec.

Ordering

Specify ordering form elements when presented one item at a time (default to lexical ordering?).

Data Binding

Specify binding of form elements to local / remote files and/or database.

Specify binding of form elements to sensor readings.

Specify binding of form elements to xml data model in xform.

 <xforms:bind nodeset="/payment/expiry"
   relevant="/payment/@method = 'cc'"
   required="true()"
   type="xsd:date"/>

Multi-media

Specify widgets for image capture, audio / video recording and playback

Security

Support for SIM, POS, mag stripe, smartcard, biometrics, barcode readers?

Support for encryption, digital signatures?

Navigation

Specify IDs for barcode navigation.

Specify IDs for numeric shortcuts / hotkeys.

Transport

Specify other transport protocols (SMS, MMS, E-mail, Voice)

Specify high-level transport directives