Metadata Template Mapping for iPaaS File Transfer Workflows

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing file transfer services struggle to efficiently transmit metadata necessary for processing in external services due to the difficulty in defining and searching through a large volume of varying customer data types, making it challenging to link relevant data with iPaaS services effectively.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus and method that includes a receiving section for electronic files, an acquiring section for metadata, and a transmitting section that transmits files and metadata based on predefined linking information, allowing for the selection of templates and user-defined operations to ensure appropriate metadata transmission to iPaaS services.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If all representative types of metadata data are registered in advance to enable comprehensive data transmission to iPaaS service, then the completeness of metadata coverage is improved, but the complexity of data management and difficulty of searching necessary data increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompleteness of metadata coverageVSAvoidcomplexity of data management
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining metadata templates with standard data types (customer information, product information, order information, etc.) before actual data transmission. This allows the system to have comprehensive metadata coverage ready in advance while managing complexity through structured template definitions rather than ad-hoc data handling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates universal metadata templates that can serve multiple purposes and different customer needs. A single template structure can accommodate various data types through configurable fields, allowing the same template to handle different metadata requirements across multiple scenarios, thus improving versatility without proportionally increasing management complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If all representative types of metadata data are registered in advance to enable comprehensive data transmission to iPaaS service, then the completeness of metadata coverage is improved, but the difficulty of searching for necessary data among large volume of registered data increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompleteness of metadata coverageVSAvoiddifficulty of searching necessary data
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments metadata into organized templates with distinct categories (customer information, product information, order information, etc.). This segmentation allows users to search and locate specific metadata types by category rather than searching through a flat, unstructured list of all metadata, significantly reducing search difficulty while maintaining comprehensive coverage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs visual differentiation (analogous to color changes) by providing distinct display formats and structural organization for different metadata templates. This allows users to quickly identify and distinguish between different types of metadata through visual cues in the user interface, making it easier to locate necessary data among large volumes of registered metadata.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #32Color changes

3Ease of operation

If metadata is transmitted without predefined linking information to maintain system simplicity, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability of data transmission compatibility with external services deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of system operationVSAvoidreliability of data transmission compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces metadata templates as an intermediary layer between the simple file upload operation and the complex requirements of external service compatibility. The templates act as a mediator that automatically structures and links metadata according to external service requirements, maintaining ease of operation for users while ensuring reliable data transmission compatibility through predefined linking information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Adaptability or versatility

If custom metadata definitions are allowed for each customer to meet specific requirements, then the adaptability to customer needs is improved, but the complexity of data structure management increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to customer requirementsVSAvoidcomplexity of data structure management
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic metadata templates that can be customized for different customers while maintaining a structured framework. The templates allow configuration of specific fields and data types according to customer requirements, providing adaptability without requiring complete structural redesign for each customer. This dynamic customization within a standardized framework manages data structure complexity effectively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4703899A1Information processing apparatus and information processing method
Publication Date: 2026.03.04 TOSHIBA TEC KK
  • EP4703899A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4703899A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4703899A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An information processing apparatus includes a processor configured to receive a first electronic file, and acquire metadata of a second electronic file. The second electronic file being the same as the first electronic file or being a file generated based on the first electronic file. processor is also configured to transmit the second electronic file and the metadata of the second electronic file based on information associated with linking a type of the metadata and data defined in an external service.