Engineering Data Integration Layer for Cross-Tool Traceability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Integrating design data from different software tools used in various phases of engineering projects is challenging, particularly when tools from different providers are used, leading to difficulties in tracing relationships between data and managing licensing.

Innovation Solution

A digital engineering ecosystem comprising project data integration software and connectors that integrate data from multiple engineering software tools, allowing users to access and link data across project phases, and is provided as a unified cloud service for simplified licensing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple different software tools from different providers are used for different project phases, then the versatility and functionality of the engineering project are improved, but the complexity of integrating and tracing relationships between design data from these tools increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesoftware tool selection flexibilityVSAvoiddata integration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a data integration layer with standardized interfaces and connectors that act as intermediaries between different software tools and the central project data model. This mediator layer translates and harmonizes data from various tools without requiring direct integration between each tool pair, thus maintaining versatility while reducing integration complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a universal project data model and standardized data exchange formats that can accommodate multiple software tools and project phases. This universal framework allows diverse tools to contribute data through common interfaces, enabling the system to handle various tool combinations without proportionally increasing integration complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple different software tools from different providers are used for different project phases, then the functionality is improved, but the difficulty of tracking and tracing relationships between design data increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesoftware tool diversityVSAvoiddata relationship tracing difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements automated data lineage tracking and relationship mapping mechanisms that continuously monitor and record connections between design data elements across different tools and phases. This feedback system provides real-time visibility into data relationships, enabling automatic tracing without manual intervention despite the diversity of software tools used.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The central project data model serves as an intermediary that receives, standardizes, and maintains relationships between data from multiple tools. This mediator automatically tracks and preserves data provenance and relationships, making tracing straightforward through the unified model regardless of the number or type of source tools.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If multiple separate software tools are used for different project phases, then the specialized functionality is improved, but the complexity of managing licensing and access rights increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvephase-specific tool capabilityVSAvoidlicensing management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent consolidates licensing and access management for multiple software tools into a unified system through the central project data model and gateway. This merged approach allows enterprises to manage permissions, subscriptions, and access rights for diverse tools through a single interface, reducing administrative complexity while preserving access to specialized functionalities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a universal access control framework that works across multiple software tools and project phases. This framework provides consistent licensing management and permission handling regardless of which specific tools are used, enabling simplified enterprise-wide authorization while maintaining access to diverse specialized capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250362882A1Digital Engineering Ecosystem

Publication Date: 2025.11.27 SCI APPL INT CORP

AI summary

A digital engineering ecosystem may comprise a plurality of digital engineering software tools, a plurality of connectors corresponding to the digital engineering software tools, and project data integration software that may execute on, and be hosted by, a computing system. Users may access the digital engineering software tools to generate design data for a project. The project data integration software may generate and store project data that may be used to track links between design data generated by the software tools.