Fexchange Data Interface for Cross-Application Format Synchronization
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current communication systems require users to manually enter configuration data into multiple applications, which is time-consuming and inefficient, especially when different applications use incompatible data formats.
Innovation Solution
A software data interface technique using an application-independent data format, Fexchange, with agreed-upon entry points and conversion instructions allows seamless data exchange between applications, employing XML nodes and XSLT stylesheets for data conversion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual data entry is used for each application, then data compatibility between applications is ensured, but user time and operational efficiency are significantly reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary data conversion mechanism that automatically transforms data between different application formats. This mediator component handles format conversion without requiring manual user intervention, thus maintaining data compatibility while eliminating the time-consuming manual entry process. The system uses automated conversion routines that act as intermediaries between applications with different data formats.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by allowing applications to automatically import and convert data from other applications without user intervention. The automated data conversion mechanism performs format transformation and data mapping independently, making the system self-sufficient in maintaining compatibility across different applications while saving user time.
2Productivity
If automated data conversion is implemented, then user burden is reduced and efficiency improves, but system complexity increases due to format conversion mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The patent manages system complexity by dynamically changing data format parameters during conversion. The system adjusts format parameters such as data structure, encoding, and field mappings based on the source and target application requirements. This parameter-based approach allows flexible format conversion without requiring complex hard-coded conversion logic for every possible format combination.
Solution Approach 2:
The data conversion mechanism is segmented into modular components including format detection, data extraction, transformation, and validation modules. This segmentation allows the system to handle complex conversions through a series of simpler, independent steps, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining high productivity in data exchange.
3Stability of the object's composition
If data is stored in application-specific formats, then data integrity within each application is maintained, but data sharing between applications becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal data conversion framework that can handle multiple application formats through a single standardized interface. The conversion mechanism is designed to be multi-functional, supporting various source and target formats while maintaining data integrity. This universal approach allows data sharing between different applications without compromising the stability and integrity of the original data structures.
Data Source
AI summary
A software data interface technique allows a program to retrieve data from another program, whether or not data formats employed by the two programs are mutually compatible. An application-independent data format, Fexchange, is a priori agreed upon and readable by creators of the two programs. In the course of storing data during execution of a first program, that data file is augmented to include instructions that convert the format of the data into the application-independent intermediate data format, Fexchange. During execution of the second program, whenever access of data stored in the first program is required, the second program retrieves from the first data file instructions for converting the format of the data to the application-independent intermediate data format, Fexchange. The second program then executes the conversion instructions so as to retrieve the data from the first program.