Pointer Table Synchronization for Data Traceability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current data traceability methods in communication systems are inefficient, requiring sequential tracing of history items and increasing processing load, especially when enterprises need to verify data usage and processing history across multiple systems, leading to network load issues.

Innovation Solution

A communication program and method utilizing a pointer table in a data distribution system that synchronizes pointer information across communication apparatuses, associating source and next identifiers for data processes, allowing efficient tracking of data history without the need for sequential inquiries.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If sequential tracing of all history items is performed to ensure data traceability, then data integrity is verified, but processing load and network communication time increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata traceabilityVSAvoidtracing time
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and stores only the essential traceability information (source identifiers and next identifiers) in a dedicated traceability management table, rather than storing or processing all historical data. This extraction of critical information enables efficient tracing while reducing processing load and network communication requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary action by pre-storing source identifiers and next identifiers in the traceability management table at the time of data generation and transmission. This advance preparation eliminates the need for sequential inquiries to multiple enterprises during tracing operations, significantly reducing tracing time and network load.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If broadcast communication is used to inquire all enterprises for data history verification, then complete traceability is achieved, but network load increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata traceabilityVSAvoidnetwork load
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts only the necessary traceability data (source and next identifiers) and stores it in a centralized traceability management table. This extraction eliminates the need for broadcast communications with all enterprises, reducing network load while maintaining complete traceability through the stored identifier chains.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a traceability management table as an intermediary structure that stores identifier information. This intermediary enables direct lookup of data history without requiring communication with all participating enterprises, significantly reducing network load while preserving traceability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If all history items are sequentially traced to verify data source, then complete traceability is ensured, but processing load increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata traceabilityVSAvoidprocessing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and stores only the critical traceability elements (source identifiers and next identifiers) in a dedicated table, eliminating the need to process all historical data items. This extraction maintains complete traceability while dramatically improving processing efficiency by working with minimal essential information.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the traceability information into discrete identifier pairs (source identifier, next identifier) stored in a structured table. This segmentation allows efficient retrieval and processing of traceability data without handling complete historical records, improving productivity while ensuring traceability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3958200A1Communication program, communication apparatus and communication method
Publication Date: 2022.02.23 FUJITSU LTD
  • EP3958200A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3958200A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3958200A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A communication program included in a communication apparatus that is configured to cause a computer to execute a procedure, the procedure includes when a first process related to first data is executed, arranging, in a pointer table included in a distribution ledger by which history related to distribution of data is managed in a data distribution system which includes the communication apparatus, pointer information which associates a source identifier which is an identifier of a history item of a process related to the first data performed before the first process is executed with a next identifier which is an identifier of a history item of the first process, and synchronizing content of the pointer table with content of a pointer table of another communication apparatus.