Communication Broker for Cross-System Data Interpretation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the context of increasing digitization in industrial production, there is a challenge in data transmission between subsystems from different companies, where the receiving subsystem must interpret the data structure to process the transmitted data, especially when the data structure is not standardized and varies across systems.
Innovation Solution
A method for data transmission that includes providing a dataset with a data structure identifier and value, checking for full assignment information in the receiving subsystem, retrieving missing information from a communication broker if needed, and determining the data structure, while also encrypting and decrypting data to secure transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If data structures are customized for different subsystems from different companies, then adaptability and versatility are improved, but device complexity and difficulty of integration increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a communication broker as an intermediary component that manages data structure assignments between subsystems. The broker stores and provides access to assignment information that maps data structure identifiers to their actual structures, enabling subsystems to exchange data with customized structures without direct complex integration between them. This mediator approach resolves the contradiction by maintaining adaptability through custom data structures while reducing integration complexity through centralized management.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-defining and storing data structure assignments in the communication broker before actual data transmission occurs. Subsystems can register their data structure mappings in advance, allowing the broker to resolve identifier-to-structure mappings before data exchange takes place. This preliminary setup enables flexible customized data structures while simplifying runtime communication between subsystems.
2Device complexity
If standardized data structures are used across all subsystems, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability and versatility deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data structure management into two parts: a standardized interface layer and customized data structure layer. The communication broker provides a standardized mechanism for registering and resolving data structure identifiers, while individual subsystems can define their own customized data structures. This segmentation allows subsystems to use standardized communication protocols while maintaining adaptability through custom data structures, resolving the contradiction between standardization and customization.
3Measurement precision
If the second subsystem stores complete assignment information for all data structures, then measurement precision and reliability of data interpretation are improved, but memory requirements and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The communication broker serves multiple functions: it acts as a centralized storage for assignment information, a resolution service for data structure identifiers, and an access point for multiple subsystems. Instead of each subsystem storing complete assignment information independently, they universally access the broker which maintains the master copy. This multi-functional approach ensures precise data interpretation while avoiding redundant storage across multiple subsystems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a centralized copy of assignment information stored in the communication broker that can be accessed by multiple subsystems. Rather than duplicating complete assignment information in each subsystem's memory, the broker maintains a single authoritative copy that all subsystems reference. This copying approach ensures data interpretation precision while minimizing total memory requirements across the system.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for transmitting data from a first sub-system to a second sub-system includes the steps of providing a dataset by the first sub-system, the dataset having a data structure identifier and a data value; sending the dataset to the second sub-system; receiving the dataset by the second sub-system; checking whether complete assignment information regarding the data structure assigned to the data structure identifier is present in the second sub-system; recovering any missing assignment information from a communication broker in the event that the second sub-system does not contain complete assignment information; and determining the data structure on the basis of the data structure identifier and the assignment information. A corresponding system, a corresponding first sub-system, a corresponding second sub-system and a communication broker are also proposed.