Gateway Data Model Adapter for Context-Preserving Platform Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industrial automation systems face challenges in transmitting data between components, as raw data lacks context, leading to inefficient communication and analysis, with existing methods failing to provide the necessary contextual information.
Innovation Solution
A computing device within the industrial automation system determines the data structure of incoming datasets and matches it with the structure of external components, converting the data to ensure context is preserved and transmitted appropriately, using data models and SmartTags to maintain relationships between datasets.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If data is transmitted from industrial automation components to external platforms, then data communication capability is improved, but data coherence and context preservation deteriorate due to incompatible data structures
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an adapter component as an intermediary between the industrial automation system and external platforms. This adapter contains a data model with SmartTags that act as mediators, translating and adapting data structures from different sources while preserving contextual relationships. The adapter component receives data from various automation components and transforms it into a coherent structured format before transmitting to external platforms, thus maintaining data context coherence while enabling broad communication capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs parameter changes by dynamically adjusting data structure parameters through the adapter. The data model allows transformation of data parameters (such as data format, structure, and relationships) based on the target platform's requirements. SmartTags enable parameter mapping and transformation, changing how data is structured and represented without losing the underlying contextual meaning, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and information preservation.
2Loss of information
If data structures are standardized across all components, then data coherence is improved, but adaptability to different external platforms deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the data communication system into distinct layers: a standardized internal data model with SmartTags for coherence, and multiple adapter configurations for different external platforms. The data model is segmented into contextual elements that maintain internal consistency, while the adapter layer is segmented into platform-specific translators. This segmentation allows the core data model to remain coherent while the adapter segments provide flexibility for different platforms.
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter component is designed with universality, serving multiple functions: it maintains the standardized internal data model for coherence, translates to multiple different external platform formats, and preserves contextual relationships across all transformations. The SmartTag system provides universal contextual metadata that works across different data structures, enabling the same core mechanism to serve both coherence and adaptability requirements.
3Measurement precision
If contextual information is included with all data, then data analysis quality is improved, but data transmission complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining the data model structure with SmartTags before data transmission occurs. Contextual relationships and metadata structures are established in advance through the adapter's data model configuration, rather than being constructed during transmission. This preliminary structuring of contextual information reduces the complexity of real-time data processing while ensuring comprehensive contextual coverage for high-quality analysis.
Data Source
AI summary
An adapter of a common gateway platform associated with an industrial automation system is described for communicating data acquired from various devices using a data model of the common gateway platform with external components using various data models. The computing device may determine a relationship between datasets of the native data model and datasets of an external component based on obtaining an application programming interface (API) and/or software development kit (SDK) of the external component. Accordingly, the adapter may enable the common gateway platform to interact with the external component by providing functionalities of the external component as native functions of the computing device. That is, the adapter may provide functions to connect, create, read, write, update, delete, run commands and queries, and disconnect from the external component using native commands and actions of the common gateway platform.