Database Table Mapping for Typed Control Program Structures

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems require manual and time-consuming correspondence between columns in a database table and members in a control program structure, hindering efficient data processing.

Innovation Solution

A control system that includes acquisition, setting, and determination means to automatically match the number and data types of columns in a database table with corresponding members in a control program structure, facilitating easy data registration and processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual correspondence is performed between columns and members, then data accuracy is ensured, but time consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata accuracyVSAvoidtime consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by automatically acquiring column information from the database table structure and pre-defining the correspondence relationship between columns and structure members before actual data operations. This preliminary automatic setup eliminates the need for manual one-by-one correspondence work while maintaining data accuracy through structured mapping.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service by automatically acquiring table structure information, defining column-member correspondences, and setting data types without requiring manual intervention. The control apparatus autonomously completes the correspondence setup by retrieving metadata from the database and generating the mapping structure automatically.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If automatic correspondence is implemented, then time efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetime efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces an intermediary mechanism - a structured data type definition system that acts as a mediator between the database table structure and the control program. This intermediary automatically maps columns to structure members using standardized data type definitions, simplifying the overall system by providing a clear interface layer rather than increasing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The correspondence setup mechanism is designed as a universal function that can handle any database table structure automatically. The same acquisition and mapping process works for different tables, columns, and data types without requiring separate procedures, thereby improving productivity while keeping the system design consistent and manageable.

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

3Manufacturing precision

If detailed data type correspondence is established, then data processing accuracy is improved, but operation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata processing accuracyVSAvoidoperation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically acquiring data type information from the database schema and assigning appropriate data types to structure members based on column definitions. This eliminates the need for operators to manually determine and set data types, maintaining processing accuracy while simplifying operations to a simple table selection process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary data type assignment by retrieving type information from the database metadata before the user needs to use the data. This preliminary setup ensures data processing accuracy is built-in from the start, while the user only needs to perform high-level operations without dealing with detailed type correspondence.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12298731B2Control system, information processing apparatus, and information processing program
Publication Date: 2025.05.13 OMRON CORP
  • US12298731B2 patent drawing
  • US12298731B2 patent drawing
  • US12298731B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A control system includes a database configured to hold one or more tables, and a control apparatus configured to execute a control program and access the database. The control system acquires a number of columns of a table and a data type of each column, the table being selected from among the one or more tables. The control system defines a structure that includes a number of members corresponding to the acquired number of columns and that is available in the control program. The control system determines a data type of each member of the structure in correspondence with the acquired data type of each column.