Portable Transaction Engine for Server Configuration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for configuring or extracting data from equipment are inconvenient, especially when the equipment is in a remote location, as software designed for desktop or laptop computers is not directly suitable for personal electronic devices (PEDs) like PDAs, due to hardware restrictions, leading to cumbersome and costly custom coding.
Innovation Solution
A method using a portable computer with a generic data transaction engine and portable transaction files in a predetermined format, allowing for universal configuration and data transactions with various servers, including PEDs, by specifying transaction parameters that define server protocols, connection properties, commands, request sequences, pre-conditions, and error scenarios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If custom software code is written specifically for each PDA to accommodate hardware restrictions, then the software can run on the constrained device, but the development process becomes cumbersome and cost intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a translation layer that acts as an intermediary between the server software and the PED hardware. This translation layer includes a virtual machine and a code translator that converts server code into PED-specific instructions, eliminating the need for direct custom coding for each platform while maintaining hardware compatibility
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a universal software execution environment through the virtual machine that can run on multiple different PED hardware platforms. The same server software can be executed on different PED types through the translation layer, making the system multi-functional and platform-independent
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional desktop or laptop software is used for configuration tasks, then the software has full functionality, but it cannot be directly used on PEDs due to hardware restrictions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the desktop software environment that runs on the PED. The virtual machine emulates the desktop operating system environment, allowing desktop applications to be copied and executed on PEDs without direct hardware conflicts
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically translates and adapts the software code based on the target PED hardware architecture. The code translator dynamically converts server code into architecture-specific instructions, enabling flexible software portability across different PED platforms
3Ease of operation
If the computer is transported to the site of the equipment for configuration, then the equipment can be configured, but it becomes inconvenient when equipment is in remote locations
Solution Approach 1:
The PED performs configuration tasks independently by executing translated server software locally on the device. The system enables self-service configuration without requiring physical transport of computers to remote sites, as the PED can autonomously communicate with and configure the equipment
Data Source
AI summary
Method for performing a data transaction (200) with a server (108) using a portable computer (106). The method includes receiving (402) in the portable computer a portable transaction file (104-1, 104-2, 104-3, 104-n) in a predetermined portable transaction file format (500) that includes two or more data fields. The data fields can contain a set of transaction parameters that define a type specific server protocol for a data transaction session with a particular server type (108-1, 108-2, 108-3, 108-n). By using a generic data transaction engine (302, 303) a data transaction session can be performed with any type of server for which a portable transaction file has been provided.