Modular Digital Twin Configuration for Reuse and IP Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current digital twin technologies are costly to develop and implement, limiting their widespread adoption due to high investment requirements, and pose risks of intellectual property theft and unauthorized product reproduction, as they often need to be customized for specific environments and usage scenarios, which complicates reusability and security.
Innovation Solution
A modular digital twin system with a tuning module that allows for the selection, configuration, and combination of digital twin modules based on parameters related to calculation properties, simulation scope, communication safety, data storage, and hardware requirements, enabling flexible adaptation and enhanced security features like delayed parameter submission for critical systems and remote accessibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a digital twin is customized for specific environments and usage scenarios, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity and development costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The digital twin system is divided into independent, reusable modules that can be selectively combined. Each module encapsulates specific functionality (e.g., calculation engine, data storage, communication interfaces), allowing customization without redesigning the entire system. This segmentation enables adaptability while controlling complexity through standardized module interfaces.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements universal module interfaces and standardized connection protocols that allow the same modules to be reused across different digital twin configurations and environments. Modules can serve multiple purposes depending on how they are combined, reducing the need for environment-specific customizations and lowering overall system complexity.
2Ease of manufacture
If digital twin modules are made reusable across different environments, then development costs are reduced, but security and protection of intellectual property may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Different security measures and protection mechanisms are applied to different modules based on their sensitivity and importance. Critical modules containing proprietary algorithms or data can have enhanced security features (encryption, access controls, authentication), while less sensitive modules can be more openly shared. This allows reusability while maintaining security where needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces intermediary layers such as secure communication protocols, authentication mechanisms, and controlled access interfaces between modules and external systems. These intermediaries protect intellectual property and sensitive data while still allowing modules to be reused and shared across different environments through standardized, secure interfaces.
3Reliability
If encryption functions and communication safety features are added to protect intellectual property, then security is improved, but device complexity and resource requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Security functions such as encryption, authentication, and data protection are merged into the existing module architecture rather than added as separate external systems. Security features are integrated at the module level, allowing them to be selectively activated based on the specific digital twin configuration and sensitivity requirements, thus avoiding unnecessary complexity in less sensitive applications.
4Productivity
If digital twins are provided in advance for sales purposes, then customer acquisition is improved, but risk of copying and intellectual property theft increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary protective measures such as watermarks, authentication mechanisms, and usage tracking that are built into the digital twin modules before they are provided to customers. These preliminary actions allow the provider to monitor and control usage while still enabling customers to use the digital twins for evaluation and sales purposes.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-implemented method of generating a digital twin. To improve the efficiency of handling a digital twin the method includes the steps of: providing a digital twin modular system, the digital twin modular system being characterized by digital twin modules being adapted or being adaptable to digital twin features, the digital twin features relating to at least one of calculation properties, scope of simulation, model architecture, communication safety, accessibility, data storage, encryption functions, resource allocation, hardware requirements, providing a tuning module, wherein the tuning module includes a tuning module parameter set, wherein the tuning module parameter-set includes tuning module parameters respectively corresponding to at least one digital twin feature generating a digital twin by using the tuning module performing the steps of selecting, configuring, and combining digital twin modules of the digital twin modular system according to the tuning module parameters.