Packaging Model Mapping Abstraction Layer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing packaging models are tightly coupled with specific physical formats, making it difficult to convert between different representations, such as ZIP archives and network-based protocols.

Innovation Solution

A method for mapping components of a packaging model, including part names, content types, and growth hints, to features of various physical representations, enabling abstraction and conversion between different physical formats and transports.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If packaging models are tightly coupled with specific physical formats, then direct correlations between the packaging model and physical format are readily determined, but conversion between different physical representations becomes extremely difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of determining direct correlationsVSAvoidability to convert between physical representations

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary mapping layer between the packaging model and physical representations. This mapping mechanism serves as a mediator that translates components of the packaging model (such as part names, content types, and growth hints) into corresponding features of physical representations, enabling conversion between different formats without requiring tight coupling between the model and any specific physical format.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a virtual copy or abstraction of the packaging model that is independent of any particular physical format. This abstract packaging model can be mapped to multiple different physical representations (such as ZIP archives, network-based protocols, or other storage formats) through the mapping mechanism, allowing the same logical model to be instantiated in different physical forms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Manufacturing precision

If packaging models are tightly coupled with specific physical formats, then the packaging model directly reflects the physical structure, but flexibility and adaptability to different formats are reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of packaging model reflectionVSAvoidflexibility across different physical formats

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the packaging model into distinct components (part names, content types, growth hints) that can be independently mapped to corresponding features in different physical representations. This segmentation allows each component to be translated appropriately for the target format while maintaining the overall structural integrity and accuracy of the packaging model across different physical implementations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS7523392B2Method and system for mapping between components of a packaging model and features of a physical representation of a package

Publication Date: 2009.04.21 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC

AI summary

Methods and systems for mapping between components of a packaging model and features of a physical representation of a package are provided. Components of a packaging model may include, by way of example only, a part name, a content type, the contents of a part, and/or a growth hint. Physical representations of a package may include, by way of example only, physical persistence formats and/or various transports, e.g., network-based protocols. Computer-readable media having computer-executable instructions for performing the disclosed methods, as well as computers programmed to perform the disclosed methods, are also provided.