Interactive Schema Transform Interface for EDI Parsing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current EDI systems, particularly those using the X12 standard, face challenges in parsing and processing serialized data due to the lack of inherent structure hierarchy, requiring complex programming and extensive human intervention for troubleshooting, and are prone to maintenance issues due to brittle code and hard-coded parsing rules.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that transforms serialized EDI data into a hierarchical structure using a schema correlated transform process, allowing for graphical creation of data mapping rules and eliminating the need for alternative serialization formats, thereby reducing coding effort and time through an interactive user interface and Domain Specific Language (DSL) processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If hard coded parsing rules are used in current EDI systems, then the system can process standardized transactions, but the system becomes brittle and requires extensive maintenance when data streams or processes change
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic parsing rules that can be modified at runtime without requiring system reconfiguration. The parsing engine transitions from static hard-coded rules to a dynamic rule set that adapts to changing data streams through a configuration interface, allowing the system to remain reliable while gaining flexibility to handle new transaction formats.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows parsing parameters and rules to be changed without modifying the underlying code. Through a configuration interface, users can adjust parsing behavior, data stream formats, and transaction types by modifying parameters rather than rewriting parsing logic, thereby maintaining reliability while improving adaptability.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If complex programming is used to parse serialized EDI data, then the system can handle the lack of inherent structure hierarchy, but the coding effort and time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary configuration layer between the parsing engine and the serialized data. This configuration interface acts as a mediator that translates business requirements into parsing rules, eliminating the need for programmers to write complex parsing logic directly. The intermediary layer handles the complexity while providing a simple interface for users.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the parsing system into distinct modular components: a core parsing engine, a configuration interface, and rule sets. Each component handles specific aspects of the parsing process independently, allowing the system to manage complex parsing tasks through coordinated simple modules rather than monolithic complex code.
3Reliability
If extensive human intervention is used for troubleshooting, then issues can be identified, but the process becomes time-consuming and less efficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements automated feedback mechanisms that monitor parsing operations and provide real-time diagnostics. When issues occur, the system automatically generates error reports with specific location and context information, enabling rapid identification and resolution of problems without requiring extensive manual intervention while maintaining high troubleshooting accuracy.
4Adaptability or versatility
If alternative serialization formats are used, then data can be transformed, but unnecessary conversions are required that reduce processing speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the parsing engine to directly process serialized EDI data in its native format without requiring conversion to alternative serialization formats. The configuration interface allows the system to adapt to different data formats while the core engine maintains optimized direct parsing capabilities, eliminating unnecessary conversion steps and preserving processing speed.
Data Source
AI summary
According to an embodiment of the present invention, a system provides a graph that identifies data mapping rules for a data transformation type and comprises: a display interface configured to present a plurality of distinct node types, each with a distinct location and is displayed at corresponding a first display location, a second display location and a third display location on the display surface, a first distinct node type is a pure data type with one or more value output ports; a second distinct node type is a data mapping type with one or more value input ports and at least one output port; and a third distinct node type is a sequence instruction type with one or more stream input ports and at least one output data transform port; a computer processor that generates a rules configuration representing a graph construct; and a memory that stores the rules configuration.