Modular Translation Drivers for Multi-System Drug Packaging Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing drug product packaging systems are highly customized to each unique hardware manufacturer or model, requiring modifications and re-installation of host control applications when new systems are added or existing systems are modified, such as with firmware changes.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a modular translation driver that translates packaging orders from a host core service application into a format specific to each drug product packaging system, allowing a common interface to manage multiple systems without modifying the host application.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a host control application is highly customized to each unique drug product packaging system, then the application can be optimized for specific hardware manufacturer or model, but the application requires modifications and re-installation when new systems are added or existing systems are modified

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to multiple packaging systemsVSAvoidcomplexity of host control application

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A translation driver is introduced as an intermediary component between the host control application and the packaging system hardware. The translation driver handles format conversion and communication protocol translation, allowing the host application to maintain a standardized interface while supporting multiple packaging system manufacturers and models without requiring application modifications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The control system is segmented into distinct functional layers: the host control application, the translation driver layer, and the packaging system hardware. This segmentation allows each component to be independently optimized and updated, enabling the host application to remain stable while the translation driver adapts to different hardware configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If the host control application is modified to support new packaging system models or firmware changes, then the application can accommodate updated hardware, but frequent modifications and re-installation are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompatibility with new packaging systemsVSAvoidtime for application updates and re-installation

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The translation driver serves as a stable intermediary that absorbs the complexity of adapting to new packaging systems. When new hardware models or firmware versions are introduced, only the translation driver needs to be updated, not the host control application, thereby eliminating time-consuming application re-installation processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of modifying the host application directly, a separate translation driver layer is created that copies and adapts the communication protocols for different packaging systems. This allows the host application to maintain a consistent interface while the translation driver contains the variability needed for different hardware versions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

3Ease of operation

If a common interface is used to manage multiple packaging systems, then the host control application remains stable and unchanged, but the interface must translate packaging orders into different formats for each system

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of managing multiple packaging systemsVSAvoidcomplexity of translation driver

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The translation driver is positioned as an intermediary layer that handles all the complexity of format translation and protocol conversion. This allows the host control application to maintain a simple, standardized interface while the translation driver manages the complexity of communicating with different packaging system hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The translation driver autonomously handles the translation and adaptation processes without requiring intervention from the host control application. It self-manages the complexity of format conversion, protocol translation, and hardware-specific communication parameters, allowing the host application to operate with a simplified interface.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20250232859A1Methods, systems, and computer program products for managing multiple drug product packaging systems using a common interface

Publication Date: 2025.07.17 PARATA SYSTEMS LLC

AI summary

A method includes performing, by a processor: generating a packaging order for a drug product at a host; communicating the packaging order to a translation driver; translating the packaging order into a format specific to a drug product packaging system; and communicating the translated packaging order to a hardware controller associated with the drug product packaging system.