Guided Structure Synchronization for Data Models

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Solution Overview

Problem

In product lifecycle management, effective synchronization of data structures between different development phases is challenging due to differences in data organization formats, requiring manual user guidance for updates and conversions, as automatic conversion is generally not feasible.

Innovation Solution

A guided structure synchronization system that includes a source structure converter, mapper, modifier, comparer, and target structure converter, utilizing a user interface to facilitate the synchronization of data structures by converting source and target data structures into standardized models, identifying and resolving conflicts, and applying user-defined modifications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual user guidance is used for data structure synchronization, then accuracy and control over changes are improved, but time consumption and operational complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesynchronization accuracyVSAvoidtime consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a guided structure synchronizer as an intermediary system that mediates between source and target data structures. This synchronizer automatically handles the complex tasks of comparing structures, identifying differences, and applying transformations, thereby reducing manual time consumption while maintaining synchronization accuracy through systematic comparison and user-guided resolution of conflicts.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If automatic conversion is implemented, then productivity is improved, but reliability and adaptability deteriorate due to inability to handle complex changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesynchronization speedVSAvoidconversion accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic synchronization system that adapts its behavior based on the complexity of data structure changes. The guided structure synchronizer dynamically adjusts between automated processing for simple changes and user-guided modes for complex transformations, ensuring both high productivity for routine operations and high reliability for complex scenarios where human judgment is required.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If data structures are heavily modified to reflect changes, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and difficulty of synchronization increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata structure flexibilityVSAvoidsynchronization complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the synchronization process into distinct manageable steps: comparing source and target structures, identifying differences, proposing transformations, and applying changes. This segmentation breaks down the complex task of synchronizing heavily modified data structures into smaller, more manageable operations, reducing overall synchronization complexity while maintaining the ability to handle adaptable data structure changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS8417726B2Guided structure synchronization
Publication Date: 2013.04.09 SAP SE
  • US8417726B2 patent drawing
  • US8417726B2 patent drawing
  • US8417726B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Method and apparatus for enabling the user to guide the synchronization of a source data structure with a target data structure. The guided synchronization stores the operations defined by the user and reapplies them to future synchronizations.