External Device Interface Abstraction via Event Handlers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems in industries like travel services face challenges in efficiently communicating with various devices, such as scanners, scales, and printers, requiring modifications when new devices are added or removed, which complicates the integration process.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method using event handlers and external device services to enable communication between computing devices and external devices, allowing for quick integration of new devices with minimal effort by generating and processing events and requests in appropriate formats, utilizing dynamic link libraries and formatter services to handle different device types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the application is modified to account for new devices, then the system can support additional device types, but the complexity of the application increases and integration time is extended
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer (device abstraction layer or adapter pattern) between the application and external devices. This intermediary handles device-specific protocols and communications, allowing the application to interact with diverse devices through a unified interface without modifying the application code itself, thus maintaining low complexity while supporting multiple device types.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a universal communication framework that can handle multiple device types (scanners, scales, printers, etc.) through a single standardized interface. This universal approach allows the system to support various devices without creating separate code paths for each device type, reducing application complexity while enhancing adaptability.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the application is modified to account for new devices, then the system can support additional device types, but the time required for integration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent establishes device communication frameworks, abstraction layers, and standardized interfaces in advance during system design. This preliminary action creates a ready-to-use infrastructure that automatically accommodates new devices through configuration rather than code modification, dramatically reducing integration time while maintaining device compatibility.
3Reliability
If device communication protocols are customized for each device type, then communication accuracy is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication system into distinct layers: a standardized upper layer for application logic and a device-specific lower layer for protocol handling. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized independently - the upper layer maintains simplicity while the lower layer ensures communication reliability through device-specific protocols, without increasing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Implementations of the present disclosure include methods, systems, and computer-readable storage mediums for executing a user interface on a computing device, generating one or more event handlers executed on the computing device, each event handler corresponding to a local device service file, receiving first data at a first event handler of a first local device service associated with a first device that is in electronic communication with the computing device, generating, using the first event handler, a first event that includes the first data, receiving, at an external device service, the first event, generating, using the external device service, a first external device event based on the first event, and performing a first action based on the external device event.