EDI Document Identifier Encoding for GUID Length and Security Limits
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing electronic data interchange (EDI) standards require unique identifiers for documents, but globally unique identifiers (GUIDs) used for correlation between systems are 32 characters long, exceeding the 30-character limit and are not secure against security threats.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that convert a globally unique identifier (GUID) into 128 binary bits, which are then grouped and translated into integers, replaced with alphanumeric characters using an alphanumeric character map to form a unique encoded string functioning as a secure EDI document identifier, within an information handling system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If globally unique identifiers are used for document identification, then uniqueness and correlation capability between systems are improved, but the identifier length exceeds the 30-character limit and security is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The 128-bit GUID is segmented into multiple groups of binary bits, which are then translated to integers and replaced with alphanumeric characters. This segmentation process transforms the original 32-character hexadecimal representation into a compressed 30-character or fewer alphanumeric string, maintaining uniqueness while meeting the length constraint
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the dimensional representation of the identifier by converting from a base-16 hexadecimal system to a base-36 alphanumeric system. This dimensional change in the numerical base allows the same information to be represented in fewer characters, resolving the length contradiction while preserving the unique identification capability
2Reliability
If globally unique identifiers are used for document identification, then uniqueness is improved, but security against threats is worsened due to decipherability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameters of the identifier representation by transforming the character set from hexadecimal (0-9, A-F) to a custom alphanumeric map with assigned characters. This parameter change in the character encoding makes the identifier less decipherable to security threats while maintaining the underlying unique identification capability through the binary bit structure
3Reliability
If globally unique identifiers are converted to binary bits and encoded, then security and length compliance are improved, but conversion complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service conversion mechanism where the system automatically performs the transformation from GUID to encoded identifier through a defined process: converting to binary bits, grouping selectively, translating to integers, and replacing with alphanumeric characters from a predefined map. This automated self-service approach manages the conversion complexity internally while presenting a simple interface to users
Data Source
AI summary
A method and information handling system (IHS) converts a globally unique identifier to an electronic data interchange document identifier. The method includes receiving a globally unique identifier and converting the globally unique identifier into 128 binary bits. The 128 binary bits are selectively separated to form groups of bits that translate to integers. Each integer is replaced with an assigned alphanumeric character selected from an alphanumeric character map to form an encoded alphanumeric string of characters for use as an electronic data interchange document identifier.