Bidirectional Connectors for Engineering Lifecycle Data Consistency

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current engineering systems face challenges in maintaining consistency between engineering and lifecycle information for physical systems, requiring manual and error-prone processes to ensure data accuracy and efficiency in complex environments.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method and system that connects engineering and lifecycle artifacts through connectors stored in respective databases, allowing for the deletion of these connectors to maintain consistency, facilitating automated synchronization and traceability of engineering-related information.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual processes are used to maintain consistency between engineering and lifecycle information, then flexibility in handling complex data relationships is maintained, but error rate increases and productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata consistencyVSAvoidinformation synchronization efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automated self-synchronization between engineering and lifecycle databases through bidirectional connectors. When data changes occur in one database, the system automatically detects and propagates changes to the other database without manual intervention, eliminating human error while maintaining data consistency across complex relationships.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The bidirectional connector system establishes continuous feedback loops between engineering and lifecycle databases. Change detection mechanisms monitor both databases and automatically trigger synchronization operations when inconsistencies are detected, ensuring reliability through automated correction rather than manual processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If bidirectional connectors are implemented between engineering and lifecycle databases, then data consistency is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation consistencyVSAvoiddatabase connection architecture
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The bidirectional connector is designed as a universal component that handles multiple functions: data synchronization, change detection, conflict resolution, and traceability management. This multi-functional design consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate systems into a single standardized interface, managing complexity through functional integration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The connector acts as an intermediary layer between the engineering database and lifecycle database, abstracting the complexity of bidirectional synchronization. It provides standardized interfaces and protocols that simplify integration while handling the intricate details of data consistency, change propagation, and relationship mapping internally.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If automated synchronization is implemented, then productivity increases, but the extent of automation requires sophisticated system architecture

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata synchronization speedVSAvoidsynchronization automation level
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by establishing change detection mechanisms and synchronization rules in advance. When data changes occur, the pre-configured automated processes immediately execute without requiring complex real-time decision-making, achieving high productivity through预先 prepared automation scripts and conflict resolution protocols.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The automated synchronization system operates autonomously with self-management capabilities. It automatically detects changes, determines synchronization needs, executes data propagation, and resolves conflicts without human intervention or complex external control systems, achieving high automation through self-service architecture rather than externally managed complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20230274042A1Engineering a physical system involving enhanced consistency of engineering-related information
Publication Date: 2023.08.31 SIEMENS INDUSTRY SOFTWARE GMBH
  • US20230274042A1 patent drawing
  • US20230274042A1 patent drawing
  • US20230274042A1 patent drawing

AI summary

A computer-implemented method and system including providing engineering information in an engineering database, providing lifecycle information in a lifecycle database, providing a respective first connector for connecting a respective engineering artifact comprised by the engineering information directly or indirectly with a respective lifecycle artifact comprised by the lifecycle information, wherein the respective first connector is stored in the engineering database, providing a respective second connector for connecting the respective lifecycle artifact directly or indirectly with the respective engineering artifact, wherein the respective second connector is stored in the lifecycle database, providing a deletion of the respective first connector; and deleting the respective second connector.