Metadata-Driven Process Control Platform for Dynamic Configuration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing metadata-driven process control systems lack flexibility in customization and are inflexible over time, requiring modifications to source code for changes in process execution, which limits their adaptability to organizational changes.
Innovation Solution
A metadata-driven process control system with a server-based platform that uses metadata-configurable elementary functions, a database for storing data and metadata, and a process control module that dynamically configures and executes processes based on metadata, allowing changes without modifying source code, and enabling backwards compatibility through time-stamped data and metadata.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If metadata-driven applications are pre-configured for specific organizations, then customization to organizational requirements is improved, but flexibility to adapt to changes over time deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic configurability by allowing process metadata and configuration metadata to be modified at runtime without requiring source code changes. The system dynamically loads and executes processes based on metadata stored in a database, enabling organizational processes to adapt to changes over time while maintaining structured customization through metadata-driven configuration of elementary functions.
2Manufacturing precision
If source code modifications are required for process changes, then process control precision is improved, but ease of modification deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts process configuration logic from source code into separate metadata structures stored in a database. Process metadata defines the sequence and selection of elementary functions, while configuration metadata configures each elementary function's parameters. This separation allows process changes to be made by modifying metadata without touching the source code, greatly easing modification while maintaining precise process control through structured metadata definitions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces metadata as an intermediary layer between the source code and process configuration. The metadata acts as a mediator that translates organizational process requirements into executable instructions for the process control module. This intermediary structure enables precise process control through structured metadata while allowing easy modification of processes by changing metadata rather than source code.
3Adaptability or versatility
If metadata configuration is used for process customization, then adaptability to organizational needs is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the metadata structure into two distinct components: process metadata that defines the sequence and selection of elementary functions, and configuration metadata that configures each elementary function's parameters. This segmentation reduces system complexity by organizing metadata into manageable, independently configurable sections while maintaining high adaptability through the combined flexibility of both metadata types.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
A computer-based metadata driven process control system for use by at least one process-controlled organization and a method for use in such system are described. The system comprises a plurality of metadata-configurable elementary functions hosted on server system, wherein each of said elementary functions comprises at least a data input, a data output and a metadata input. A database stores data and metadata associated with said organization, wherein the metadata identify the elementary functions used in a process and a sequence in which the elementary functions are executed in said process. The metadata are further used for configuring the identified elementary functions in said process. A process control module hosted on said server system communicates with a terminal and the database and is configured to execute a process on the basis of a process execution request received from the terminal. The process control module then executes the process on the basis of the metadata wherein during execution the elementary functions are configured in a dynamic way.