Digital Twin Unique Identifier Notation for Distributed Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Managing identities of multiple digital twins within a distributed computing environment is challenging due to the lack of a standardized identifier system, making it difficult to efficiently access and manage these virtual representations across various computing platforms and locations.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a unique identifier notation/format that creates a name space for digital twins, comprising fields such as location ID, physical item ID, provider ID, and runtime ID, allowing each digital twin to be uniquely identified and managed within the distributed computing environment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a standardized identifier system is implemented for digital twins, then the ease of operation and management of virtual representations is improved, but the device complexity and implementation difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanagement of digital twinsVSAvoididentifier system structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The identifier system is segmented into multiple distinct fields including location ID, physical item ID, provider ID, and runtime ID. Each field serves a specific purpose in the identification hierarchy, allowing systematic breakdown of the complex identification task into manageable components that can be independently assigned and managed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a multi-dimensional identifier structure that adds layers of identification beyond simple unique names. By incorporating spatial (location ID), ownership (provider ID), and operational (runtime ID) dimensions, the system creates a comprehensive identification framework that manages complexity through structured organization rather than simple linear naming.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Measurement precision

If unique identifiers with multiple fields are assigned to each digital twin, then the reliability and precision of digital twin identification is improved, but the loss of information and data management overhead increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveidentification accuracyVSAvoiddata management overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The identifier structure serves multiple functions simultaneously: it provides unique identification, encodes location information, tracks ownership, and manages runtime instances. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate data structures and management systems, thereby minimizing information loss and overhead while maintaining high identification precision.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The identifier system employs a nested structure where location ID contains provider ID, which in turn contains physical item ID, and runtime ID provides the outermost layer for operational instances. This nesting allows hierarchical organization of identification data, enabling precise identification while compactly organizing information to reduce management overhead.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Data Source

PatentUS20230306149A1Management of virtual representations in a computing environment using unique identifiers
Publication Date: 2023.09.28 DELL PROD LP
  • US20230306149A1 patent drawing
  • US20230306149A1 patent drawing
  • US20230306149A1 patent drawing

AI summary

Techniques are disclosed for managing virtual representations (e.g., digital twins) in a computing environment. For example, a method comprises assigning identifiers to virtual representations of physical items within a computing environment. Each one of the virtual representations is assigned an identifier that is unique with respect to each other one of the virtual representations. The method then manages the virtual representations within the computing environment using the identifiers.