Parser Orchestration for Versioned Technology Transfer Documents

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

The existing technology transfer process faces inefficiencies due to asynchronous approval and editing processes, leading to multiple document versions and difficulties in tracking changes, along with a lack of formalized approval collection, which complicates the distribution and implementation of manufacturing processes.

Innovation Solution

A digital technology transfer system that transforms technology transfer documents into digitized manufacturing procedures, creating a hierarchical structured model representing products and manufacturing processes, allowing for role-specific views, approval tracking, and integration with manufacturing systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If asynchronous approval and editing processes are used for technology transfer documents, then flexibility in document modification is improved, but document version control and tracking become more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveflexibility in document modificationVSAvoiddocument version control
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements automated feedback mechanisms by tracking all document modifications, approvals, and version changes through a digital workflow. Each edit, approval, or rejection action is automatically recorded and communicated to relevant stakeholders, ensuring version control without restricting modification flexibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

A digital platform acts as an intermediary between technology owners and manufacturing entities, managing document versions, approvals, and edits centrally. This intermediary maintains the master document repository, tracks all changes, and coordinates approval workflows, preventing version confusion while allowing asynchronous modifications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If multiple document versions are created during approval processes, then thorough review and approval tracking are improved, but document distribution and implementation become more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapproval trackingVSAvoiddocument distribution
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system creates digital copies of documents at each approval stage, maintaining a complete version history. Each copy is tagged with metadata indicating its approval status and version number, allowing automated distribution of the correct version to manufacturing entities without manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The digital document management platform performs multiple functions simultaneously: it stores all document versions, tracks approval workflows, manages version control, and automates distribution. This multi-functional system simplifies the overall process despite handling multiple document versions.

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

3Loss of information

If formalized approval collection is implemented, then approval tracking and documentation are improved, but the approval process time and complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapproval documentationVSAvoidapproval process time
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system pre-configures approval workflows, recipient lists, and documentation templates before the approval process begins. This preliminary setup automates the collection and recording of approvals, reducing the time required during actual document review and approval execution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The digital platform enables self-service approval capabilities where stakeholders can review, approve, or reject documents electronically without manual paperwork. The system automatically collects approval data, generates documentation, and updates version records, eliminating time-consuming manual processes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Ease of operation

If technology transfer documents are distributed in structured natural language format, then human readability and understanding are improved, but automated parsing and data extraction become more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehuman readabilityVSAvoidautomated parsing
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments technology transfer documents into standardized sections (e.g., product specifications, manufacturing processes, control parameters) with defined structures. This segmentation maintains natural language readability while creating predictable patterns that automated parsers can easily identify and extract data from.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The document format uses consistent structural parameters (headings, subheadings, tables, bullet points) and standardized terminology throughout. These parameter changes from unstructured to semi-structured formatting preserve human readability while significantly improving automated parsing capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP4361916A1Generic data parsing and orchestration solution for digital technology transfer
Publication Date: 2024.05.01 ROCKWELL AUTOMATION TECH INC
  • EP4361916A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4361916A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4361916A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A digital technology transfer system transforms technology transfer documents to a set of digitized manufacturing procedures and operations documentation. The system can transform a technology transfer document to a hierarchical structured model representing a package, or product to be manufactured, and the process for manufacturing the product. The resulting package model can be integrated into a larger model representing an ecosystem of manufacturing entities and plant facilities by assigning steps of the manufacturing process to one or more selected production lines. To reduce dependency on custom-built parsers for each type of document format, the system integrating both custom and general parsing mechanisms into a scalable parser orchestration engine.