Cognate Specification Server for Immutable Product Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional systems of record (SORs) face challenges in managing cognate specifications due to ambiguity in product identification, leading to duplicate records and identification anomalies across different data environments, which hinders efficient data exchange and interoperability between systems, especially in manufacturing processes.
Innovation Solution
A system that implements a cognate specification server with a database to create and manage canonical, digital representations of physical products, using a unified identification system to ensure immutability and consistency across platforms, reducing duplication and enhancing interoperability through a specification builder and viewer interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional systems of record are used to manage product specifications, then data exchange between systems is enabled, but ambiguity in product identification leads to duplicate records and identification anomalies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms product identification from using mutable database primary keys to using immutable digital twins with cryptographic hashes. The digital twin parameters (cryptographic hash, version control, immutable identifiers) fundamentally change how products are identified, ensuring consistency across systems and eliminating duplicate records caused by mutable key changes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces digital twins as intermediary objects between physical products and database records. These digital twins serve as mediators that maintain consistent identification across multiple systems of record, preventing identification anomalies by providing a single source of truth that neither duplicates nor conflicts with other system records.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple systems of record are used concurrently for different product lines or customers, then specialized data management is achieved, but ambiguity about referents increases due to department-centric attribute names
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates universal digital twins that can serve multiple functions across different departments and systems. Each digital twin maintains its core identity (immutable identifier, cryptographic hash) while allowing department-specific attributes to be added or customized, enabling the same object to be universally recognized while adapting to specialized data management needs of different departments.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a new dimension of identification by introducing cryptographic hashes and version control layers above traditional database primary keys. This additional dimensional layer of identification ensures referent clarity across departments by providing immutable, traceable identifiers that transcend department-specific attribute naming conventions.
3Productivity
If relational database management systems are used to store product records, then efficient record retrieval is achieved, but users can mutate attribute values leading to duplicate records and identification anomalies
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by establishing immutable digital twins with cryptographic hashes before any data operations occur. This pre-established immutable foundation prevents mutation issues by locking the core identity of records beforehand, allowing efficient retrieval operations to proceed on copies or views without risking the original identification integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses digital twins as intermediary layers between the relational database system and the immutable product identity. The digital twin acts as a mediator that maintains the efficient query capabilities of RDBMS while protecting the underlying product identification from mutation, as any changes must go through the immutable digital twin verification process.
4Reliability
If arbitrary identifiers are assigned to physical items, then unique identification is achieved, but the identifiers do not inherently describe the physical item making discernment difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms identifiers from arbitrary values to meaningful cryptographic hashes derived from product attributes. This parameter change makes identifiers both unique and descriptive, as the cryptographic hash is deterministically generated from the product's actual characteristics, enabling automatic discernment without requiring manual interpretation of arbitrary codes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual product discernment (mechanical human observation and measurement) with automated cryptographic hash generation and comparison. This substitution eliminates the difficulty of product discernment by using deterministic algorithms to automatically detect and measure product identity based on its attributes, rather than relying on human interpretation of arbitrary identifiers.
Data Source
AI summary
A cognate specification system manages and enforces digital, canonical representations of entities that are added to and in the system by creating a composite entity key (“EntityKey”) that uniquely and immutably identifies each entity within the system, and that is created based upon the attributes of the entity rather than being arbitrarily assigned. Entities may be organized into various types or cognates, each associated with distinct sets of attributes. A physical or digital referent may be added to the system as an entity by specifying attributes. In such a system, any entity, whether a physical or digital referent, a process, or other type, is uniquely and verifiably identifiable, and may be linked to or associated with other entities, allowing users of the system to produce and access specification granularity beyond traditional approaches focused on systems interoperability.