Device Common Model Interface for Protocol-Agnostic Fabric Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Developing user applications for distributed computing systems is complicated due to the heterogeneity of devices and varying communication protocols, requiring developers to create custom code for each protocol, which increases development time and complexity.
Innovation Solution
The device common model interface translates a schema into a common object model and target-specific data models, abstracting away protocol details, allowing applications to interact with devices independently of communication protocols, thus enabling protocol-agnostic development.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If developers create custom code for each communication protocol, then applications can interact with diverse devices, but development time and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a code generation system as an intermediary that automatically translates device schemas into protocol-specific code. This mediator handles the complexity of protocol variations, allowing developers to work with a unified device model while the system generates the necessary protocol-specific implementations, thereby reducing development time without sacrificing compatibility
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-generating protocol-specific code templates and data models based on device schemas before actual application development. This advance preparation creates reusable code components that can be directly applied to multiple devices, eliminating the need to write custom protocol code from scratch for each device type
2Adaptability or versatility
If developers create custom code for each communication protocol, then applications can interact with diverse devices, but development complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the development process into distinct components: a universal device schema layer, a code generation system layer, and protocol-specific implementation layers. This segmentation allows developers to work at the abstract schema level without being burdened by protocol complexities, while the system handles the translation to specific protocol implementations
Solution Approach 2:
The code generation system serves multiple functions: it parses device schemas, generates protocol-specific code, creates data models, and produces API implementations. This multi-functional tool consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate development processes, reducing overall development complexity while maintaining support for diverse protocols
3Ease of operation
If a common interface abstracts protocol details, then development is simplified, but protocol-specific operations may be lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds a dimensional layer to the interface architecture by creating a schema-level abstraction that sits above protocol-specific implementations. This additional dimension allows the common interface to capture essential device characteristics without being constrained by protocol details, while the code generation system ensures protocol-specific information is preserved in the generated code
Data Source
AI summary
A device common model interface is described that translates a schema describing a resource in a fabric network into a common object model and one or more target-specific data models, using a specification of a target application environment and a specification of a communication protocol. Elements of the schema that are useful for an application are extracted to generate the common object model and the one or more target-specific data models are provided to the application. The application interacts with an interface of the resource using the API of the target-specific data model, which performs operations that are specific to communicating with the resource in the target application environment and using the communication protocol.