Common Interface Normalization for Data Exchange Compatibility
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current systems for exchanging data between computing devices face issues with data integrity, including incomplete, inaccurate, or outdated data, and lack backward and forward compatibility, making it difficult to transfer data effectively between different systems, especially during upgrades.
Innovation Solution
A data exchange common interface (CI) system that normalizes data structures from different source systems, ensuring at least one constituent is immutable, backward compatible, and forward compatible, independent of the underlying data structures, allowing for seamless communication and data transfer across various system versions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If data structures from different source systems are used directly, then system flexibility and adaptability are maintained, but data integrity and compatibility between systems deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a common interface as an intermediary layer between source systems and target systems. This interface acts as a mediator that receives data in various source formats, normalizes it to a standard common interface format, and then transforms it to the required target system format. This resolves the contradiction by maintaining the flexibility of multiple source systems while ensuring data integrity through standardized normalization.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies parameter changes by transforming data structures through normalization to a common interface. The data is converted from various source system parameters to standardized parameters defined by the common interface, ensuring consistent data integrity across different systems while maintaining adaptability to various source formats.
2Reliability
If data structures are normalized to a common interface, then data integrity and compatibility are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data transformation process into distinct components: source system interfaces, a common interface normalization layer, and target system interfaces. This segmentation isolates the complexity of data transformation to a dedicated normalization layer, protecting the rest of the system from complexity while improving data integrity through standardized processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The common interface serves multiple functions: it acts as a standardized data format, a normalization layer, and a compatibility bridge between different source and target systems. This multi-functionality improves data integrity across all systems while managing complexity by consolidating transformation logic into a single universal interface definition.
3Adaptability or versatility
If systems are upgraded to new versions, then system functionality is improved, but data transfer compatibility and reliability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by defining the common interface in advance before system upgrades occur. The standardized interface specification is established beforehand, allowing data transformation rules to be pre-configured. This enables smooth upgrades where new system versions can consume data from the standardized common interface without compatibility issues, maintaining data transfer reliability during transitions.
Solution Approach 2:
The common interface acts as a stable intermediary that decouples source and target systems. During upgrades, the interface remains a constant reference point that mediates between legacy and new system versions, ensuring data transfer compatibility is maintained even as system functionality evolves and upgrades occur.
Data Source
AI summary
A system comprises a processor that that receives, through a network, a first data structure from a first source system. Further, the processor receives, through the network, a second data structure from a second source system. In addition, the processor normalizes the first data structure and the second data structure according to a common interface such that at least one constituent of the common interface is immutable, the common interface is backward compatible, and the common interface is forward compatible. The first data structure is at least partially distinct from the second data structure.