Digital Bridge for Railroad Drawing and Configuration Tools
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Solution Overview
Problem
The current process of designing and configuring interlocking hardware for railroad applications is time-consuming, labor-intensive, and prone to data entry errors due to the manual re-entry of data between different tools used by site planners and application engineers.
Innovation Solution
A digital bridge is implemented to automatically extract and convert project data from a drawing tool into a format suitable for a software configuration tool, eliminating the need for manual data re-entry by using mechanisms to identify, store, and convert data types, and transfer them seamlessly between tools.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual data entry is used to transfer project data from the drawing tool to the software configuration tool, then data can be transferred between tools, but the process becomes time-consuming and labor-intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary data transfer mechanism that includes a drawing tool interface, data extraction module, and software configuration tool interface. This intermediary system automatically extracts project data from the drawing tool and transfers it to the software configuration tool, eliminating manual data entry while ensuring data accuracy through structured data formats and validation protocols.
2Ease of operation
If manual data entry is used to transfer project data between tools, then data can be transferred, but the process becomes labor-intensive and error-prone
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service data transfer where the drawing tool and software configuration tool automatically exchange data without requiring manual intervention. The data extraction module autonomously identifies and extracts project data from the drawing tool, and the software configuration tool automatically receives and processes the transferred data, reducing both labor intensity and errors.
3Adaptability or versatility
If separate tools are used for drawing and software configuration, then specialized functionality is maintained, but data must be manually re-entered between tools
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal data interface that enables seamless communication between the drawing tool and software configuration tool. The data transfer mechanism supports multiple data formats and can adapt to different tool interfaces, allowing both specialized tools to maintain their unique functionalities while efficiently sharing data through a standardized exchange protocol.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer implemented digital bridge that reduces the time and costs associated with designing and configuring hardware and/or logic for an application while also reducing the potential for errors during the process.