Network Director Routing for Federated Traceability Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing traceability systems face challenges in efficiently marking product items with unique identifiers due to space constraints and the need for complex rule-based redirections, which slow down production and hinder interoperability between independent systems.
Innovation Solution
A method utilizing a network director to facilitate connections between clients and originating traceability applications by providing a list of resolvable addresses, enabling direct communication and data exchange without a rules database, thus simplifying the process and reducing resource demands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If comprehensive product information is included in the QR-code, then traceability information completeness is improved, but marking time increases and production speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential unique identifier from the product information and places it in the QR-code, while storing comprehensive traceability information in a remote database. This extraction principle resolves the contradiction by including minimal information in the code (maintaining production speed) while ensuring complete information availability (maintaining traceability completeness) through external storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent moves traceability information from the two-dimensional QR-code space to the network dimension by implementing a web-based platform. The QR-code contains only a unique identifier that links to comprehensive information stored online, allowing complete traceability data to be accessed through another dimension (the internet) rather than being constrained by the physical space of the code itself.
2Measurement precision
If complete resource addresses are used to direct products to the correct traceability application, then system accuracy is improved, but code length increases and marking complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential routing information (unique identifier) from the complete resource address and places it in the QR-code. The full address structure is maintained in the background system, allowing accurate routing without embedding complex address information in the code itself. This resolves the contradiction by separating the routing function from the identification function.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a network director as an intermediary component that receives the unique identifier from the QR-code and resolves it to the appropriate traceability application. This mediator handles the complexity of routing and address resolution, allowing the QR-code to remain simple while maintaining accurate system routing through the intermediary service.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple independent traceability systems are integrated through one-to-one integration, then system interoperability is improved, but integration complexity and maintenance burden increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal network director that can handle multiple traceability applications through a single interface. Instead of creating separate integration pathways for each system pair, the network director provides a universal resolution service that works across all systems. This resolves the contradiction by enabling many-to-many interoperability through a single universal component rather than requiring individual one-to-one integrations.
Solution Approach 2:
The network director serves as an intermediary layer between multiple independent traceability systems, enabling interoperability without direct system-to-system integration. Each system interacts with the network director through standard interfaces, and the director handles the complexity of routing and coordination between different systems. This mediator approach resolves the contradiction by centralizing integration complexity in a single manageable component.
4Productivity
If QR-codes are printed at high speed on production lines, then production efficiency is improved, but code accuracy and readability may decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the critical unique identifier into the QR-code, minimizing the amount of information that needs to be printed. This reduction in code complexity and size allows for faster, more accurate printing at high production speeds while maintaining code readability. The essential identification function is preserved without the burden of printing extensive information.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for establishing or facilitating a network connection between a client and an originating traceability application and between the originating traceability application and a first computer system as well as between the first computer system and the client in a network such that data from the originating traceability application and the first computer system may be federated.