Legacy Work Order Interface with Compliance Highlighting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Older database systems used for storing installation plans and production data for commercial aircraft production are not user-friendly, making it cumbersome and time-consuming for inspectors, mechanics, and other personnel to access and navigate the data.

Innovation Solution

A computer-based interface module that retrieves work orders from a legacy database system, reformats them to highlight compliance-related words and insert hyperlinks to referenced process data, presenting the information in a more accessible format without modifying the underlying system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If an older database system is used to store installation plans and production data, then data storage and remote access are provided, but the user interface is unfriendly and navigation between applications and files is cumbersome and time consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser interface friendlinessVSAvoidnavigation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

A new interface application serves as an intermediary between users and the legacy database system. This intermediary application retrieves data from the older system and presents it through a modern, user-friendly interface with integrated navigation, eliminating the need for users to navigate between multiple applications and files while maintaining compatibility with the existing legacy system

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The solution separates the user interface layer from the data storage layer. The legacy database system continues to handle data storage and management, while a new interface application handles user interaction, data retrieval, and presentation. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the legacy system for data integrity and the new interface for user experience

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If a legacy database system is maintained without upgrades, then system stability and existing functionality are preserved, but the system lacks modern user-friendly features and requires costly replacement

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem stabilityVSAvoiduser interface quality
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The interface application acts as a mediator that allows the legacy system to maintain its stable, proven data storage functionality while providing access to modern user interface capabilities. The intermediary translates between the old system's data structures and the new interface's presentation requirements without requiring changes to the reliable legacy core

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The interface application creates a virtual copy or representation of the legacy system's data through modern interface elements. Instead of replacing the legacy system, the new interface copies the essential data and functionality and presents it through contemporary UI patterns, allowing users to interact with familiar data in a modern environment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentUS9672521B1Reformatting legacy system work orders with highlighted process compliance
Publication Date: 2017.06.06 THE BOEING CO
  • US9672521B1 patent drawing
  • US9672521B1 patent drawing
  • US9672521B1 patent drawing

AI summary

A data system comprises a legacy system for storing work orders and process data; and a computer-based interface module for retrieving the work orders from the legacy system, reformatting the retrieved work orders to highlight words corresponding to process compliance and insert hyperlinks to process data referenced by the work orders, and presenting the reformatted work orders with the highlighted words and the hyperlinks.