Dynamic Server Interface Configuration for Data Pool Adaptation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current Global Data Synchronization systems have hardcoded server interfaces that embed references to hardcoded data elements within control logic, leading to high maintenance costs, increased error likelihood, and require significant time to update, as they cannot dynamically adjust to changes in data pool formats or vendor switches without recompilation and redistribution.
Innovation Solution
A declarative server interface configuration that can be dynamically altered, specified in an XML file, allowing for rapid coupling and updating to meet specific data pool needs, enabling automatic detection and alteration of data and format changes, and allowing data pool switching at runtime without recompiling the application.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If hardcoded server interfaces are used to embed references to hardcoded data elements within control logic, then the system structure is simple and stable, but maintenance costs increase and the system cannot adapt dynamically to changes in data pool formats or vendor switches
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic server interfaces by replacing hardcoded configurations with runtime-modifiable XML-based interface definitions. The system loads interface configurations from XML files and allows dynamic modification of data element references, enabling adaptation to changing data pool formats without recompilation. This transforms the static, hardcoded interface into a dynamic, configurable system that can respond to vendor switches and format changes in real-time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs preliminary action by pre-defining interface configurations in XML format with placeholder references to data elements. These configurations are prepared in advance but remain flexible for runtime modification. The system pre-loads these configurations and establishes the framework for dynamic updates, allowing rapid adaptation when changes are needed without requiring complete reconfiguration from scratch.
2Productivity
If hardcoded server interfaces are used, then the system is stable, but significant time is required to update the application when data pool formats change
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves rapid updates through dynamic configuration loading from XML files. When data pool formats change, the interface configuration XML files are updated and reloaded at runtime without requiring application recompilation. This dynamic approach reduces update time from days or weeks (recompilation cycles) to minutes or seconds (configuration file replacement), dramatically improving productivity while maintaining system stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses copying by maintaining template-based XML configuration files that can be replicated and modified. When updates are needed, existing configuration templates are copied and adjusted rather than creating configurations from scratch. This copying mechanism accelerates the update process while ensuring consistency across different interface implementations.
3Reliability
If hardcoded data elements are embedded in control logic, then the system structure is simple, but the likelihood of errors increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by separating control logic from data element references. The XML configuration files contain only declarative references to data elements, while the control logic remains independent and unchanged. This segmentation reduces errors by eliminating hardcoded references that could become outdated, allowing data element bindings to be updated without modifying the control logic itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The XML configuration files serve as an intermediary layer between the control logic and the actual data elements. Instead of hardcoding direct references, the system uses these configuration files as mediators that define the bindings dynamically. This intermediary approach reduces errors by providing a centralized, manageable layer that can be updated without affecting the core control logic or requiring direct modifications to data element implementations.
Data Source
AI summary
One or more embodiments of the invention enable data that is synchronized between businesses to be transferred to any desired data pool or data pool version in a format that may be declaratively specified and dynamically altered to meet the needs of the specific data pool or data pool version. The data pool vendor utilized by a company or the attributes and formats used in communicating with a particular data pool may change over time and embodiments of the invention are capable of automatically detecting and altering the data and format of the data to be transferred to and from the data pool. The server interface configuration may comprise an XML file in one embodiment of the invention. The XML file may be parsed with any compliant schema based or DTD based XML parser and sent to the server interface for dynamic update using JMS for example. The server interface itself may be implemented or make use of a Resource Adapter configured to operate within the Java Connector Architecture of the Enterprise JavaBeans specification. In at least one embodiment of the invention an N-tier architecture may be employed comprising an Application Server. The server interface accepts an incoming server interface configuration request and utilizes information derived from the XML configuration file in order to add or remove data attributes or alter the format of the data attributes that are transferred to and from each data pool. In this embodiment of the invention, data pools may be switched by at run-time without recompiling and redistributing the application.