Logical Meta-Model for Message Format Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of converting between numerous alternative physical representations of logically equivalent entities, such as different message formats, poses an N×N problem, making it cumbersome to achieve intercommunication between diverse computer systems and applications.
Innovation Solution
A meta-model comprising a logical meta-model and a physical meta-model, where the logical meta-model describes the logical structure in a platform and programming language-neutral manner, and the physical meta-model defines alternative physical representations, facilitating conversion through correspondence associations and default characteristics, reducing the problem to an N×1 conversion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple alternative physical representations (wire formats) are supported for logically equivalent entities, then adaptability between different computer systems is improved, but device complexity increases due to N×N conversion requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a logical model as an intermediary representation between multiple physical wire formats. Instead of directly converting between N different wire formats (N×N problem), the system converts each physical format to the common logical model and then to the target physical format, reducing complexity to N×1 conversions. The logical model acts as a mediator that standardizes the representation of entities across different physical formats.
Solution Approach 2:
The logical model serves as a universal representation that can describe entities across multiple different physical wire formats. A single logical model can represent the same entity in XML, JSON, CSV, or other formats, making the system multi-functional and adaptable to various communication protocols without requiring separate conversion logic for each format pair.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conversion between numerous message formats is implemented, then intercommunication capability is improved, but ease of manufacture decreases due to onerous conversion problems
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the conversion process into two independent phases: (1) converting from the source physical format to the logical model, and (2) converting from the logical model to the target physical format. This segmentation allows new wire formats to be introduced by only implementing conversions to/from the logical model, rather than requiring conversions between all pairs of formats. The logical model layer isolates the complexity of format introduction.
3Adaptability or versatility
If platform and programming language neutral logical models are used, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases due to need for physical meta-model
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds an abstract dimension (the logical model) between the concrete physical representations and the target physical representations. This dimensional addition creates a hierarchy where physical formats map to the abstract logical model, which then maps to target physical formats. The extra dimension of abstraction allows platform neutrality while managing complexity through structured relationships.
Data Source
AI summary
A meta-model for creating models of alternative physical representations of logically equivalent entities, such as alternative wire format representations of logically equivalent messages, includes a logical meta-model and a physical meta-model. The logical meta-model provides logical entity component classes for creating a logical model which describes, in a platform and programming language neutral manner (e.g. as an XML schema), the logical structure of the modeled entity as a hierarchy of logical entity components. The physical meta-model provides classes for creating a physical model which describes the alternative physical representations. The physical meta-model includes Base Classes representative of generic physical representations of the logical entity components, with “correspondence associations” being defined between the Base Classes and corresponding logical entity component classes. The physical meta-model further includes at least one set of physical representation-specific, Derived Classes descendent from the Base Classes.