Document Abstraction Layer for Software Interoperability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Software application programs often face incompatibility issues when trying to access documents from different vendors or versions, requiring extensive file conversion and reconfiguration, which is time-consuming and costly.
Innovation Solution
A bidirectional abstraction layer that converts documents into a common format like XML or ASCII, allowing seamless interoperability between different software applications without reconfiguring existing programs, using components such as data extractors, format converters, storage routines, and application object creators.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If extensive file conversion is performed to enable access between different application programs, then interoperability between applications is improved, but time consumption and processing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-converting documents to a common format at the time of creation or storage, rather than converting at the time of access. The system stores documents in a vendor-neutral format (such as XML or ASCII text) immediately when created, so that when another application needs to access the document, no conversion is required - the document is already in an accessible format. This eliminates the time-consuming conversion process that would otherwise occur at access time.
2Adaptability or versatility
If reconfiguration is performed to include format conversion routines in every application, then access capability between applications is improved, but device complexity and implementation cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the extraction principle by removing the format conversion functionality from individual application programs and extracting it to a separate, independent component. Instead of embedding conversion routines within each application, the system uses a standalone document conversion service or intermediary that handles all format conversions. This allows applications to remain simple and focused on their core functions while the conversion capability exists as a separate, reusable service that any application can utilize without being reconfigured.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements an intermediary approach by introducing a vendor-neutral format as an intermediate representation between different application formats. Rather than requiring direct conversion between every pair of application formats, the system uses this neutral format as a mediator - documents are converted to the neutral format once, and any application can access them through this common intermediate representation. This intermediary layer simplifies the overall system architecture and reduces the complexity of implementing and maintaining conversion routines in every application.
3Adaptability or versatility
If format conversion is implemented for every application upgrade or addition, then system interoperability is improved, but loss of time and increased cost occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by establishing the vendor-neutral format infrastructure and conversion capabilities in advance, before any application upgrades or additions occur. Once this foundation is in place, new applications or upgraded applications can immediately utilize the existing neutral format system without requiring additional conversion implementation. The conversion infrastructure is built once and reused indefinitely, eliminating the need to perform format conversion setup during each upgrade cycle.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for integrating software application program documents is provided. A request to save documents in an document managements system may be received from application programs, with each document in a format native to the application program that requests that the document be saved. Text data may be extracted from the documents to be saved and converted into a converted data file that is in a common format that is not specific to any application program. The converted data files may then be stored in a memory.