Interface Transformation System for Multi-Protocol Integration
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Solution Overview
Problem
The integration of complex systems involving multiple proprietary components is costly and time-consuming due to the need for implementation-specific interfaces, leading to duplicative development efforts and extensive testing and certification requirements, especially in safety-critical and mission-critical applications.
Innovation Solution
A method and architecture that transforms multiple device-specific interface protocols into a non-device specific interface protocol using function calls, enabling reusable and certifiable integration of components across different systems without requiring extensive additional development or testing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple proprietary components are integrated using implementation-specific interfaces, then each component can be customized for specific functions, but the integration complexity and development cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer (adapter or interface controller) that sits between the proprietary components and the host system. This intermediary translates between component-specific protocols and a standardized interface, allowing customized components to be integrated without increasing overall system complexity. The intermediary absorbs the complexity of multiple proprietary interfaces while presenting a uniform interface to the host system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal interface framework that can accommodate multiple proprietary components through standardized adaptation mechanisms. Rather than creating custom integration code for each component, the system uses a universal adapter architecture that can be configured to work with different component types, reducing integration complexity while maintaining versatility.
2Reliability
If customized interfaces are developed for each component integration, then specific integration requirements are met, but development time and testing certification effort increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-defining standardized interface specifications and adapter templates before actual component integration. The interface framework, communication protocols, and adaptation logic are established in advance, allowing components to be integrated by simply configuring existing adapters rather than developing custom interfaces from scratch. This preliminary preparation significantly reduces development and certification time while maintaining reliability through standardized testing of the pre-defined interface framework.
3Ease of operation
If point-to-point integration is used in stovepipe architectures, then each system can operate independently, but coordination across multiple systems becomes difficult and integration efforts are duplicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple independent point-to-point integration paths into a unified hierarchical architecture. Rather than maintaining separate stovepipe connections for each component, the system combines all component communications through a centralized interface framework that manages coordination across multiple systems. This merging eliminates duplicated integration efforts while preserving system independence through the standardized abstraction layer.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus is presented for using multiple device specific interface protocols for communicating with a platform, where each of the devices comprises a set of parameters. For each parameter of each set of parameters a function call is established to set the parameter for each of the devices that enable the parameter. Using each function call, the plurality of object specific interface protocols is then transformed into a non-device specific interface protocol for communication with the platform.