4D Process Data Classification for Management System Complexity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Management information systems face challenges due to inadequate formalization and variability of management information processes and concepts, leading to increased system complexity, poor performance, and difficulty in maintaining and classifying corporations and markets effectively.
Innovation Solution
A 'source-sink-service-time space' principle is introduced for a 4-dimensional event space classification, combined with a 5-table architecture and atomic data recording, allowing for a stable and universal classification system that can adapt to arbitrary process systems, enabling efficient analysis, simulation, and control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a stable, universally applicable classification system is introduced, then system complexity is reduced and maintainability is improved, but adaptability to arbitrary process systems may be limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by designing a classification system with a small set of general dimensions (source, sink, service, time) that can represent any process system regardless of its specific domain. The 5-table architecture provides a universal framework that adapts to different process types through configuration rather than structural change, allowing the same system to handle R&D, manufacturing, distribution and other processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the classification system into distinct modular components: 5 separate tables (source, sink, service, time, and process-specific tables), 4 independent dimensions, and hierarchical structuring. This segmentation allows each component to be maintained independently while collectively providing adaptability to various process systems through selective combination and configuration.
2Loss of information
If relational database techniques are used to represent management information, then data integration and aggregation are improved, but search complexity and system performance deteriorate exponentially with the number of relations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional 2D relational database tables to a 4-dimensional classification space (source, sink, service, time). This dimensional change allows complex management information to be organized in a structured hypercube model where searches can efficiently navigate along specific dimensions without exponential complexity growth, even as the number of relations increases.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments information representation into 5 distinct tables rather than using a highly normalized relational schema with many interconnected tables. This segmentation reduces search complexity by allowing queries to be formulated in terms of the 4 dimensions without traversing exponential relation paths, while still achieving comprehensive data integration through the structured relationships between the 5 tables.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple structuring features are introduced to accommodate diverse process classifications, then adaptability to different process systems is improved, but overall system complexity and operability worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves classification flexibility through a universal 4-dimensional framework that can accommodate any process type without requiring additional structuring features. The same 5-table architecture and 4 dimensions serve all classification needs, eliminating the complexity that would arise from introducing multiple specialized structuring mechanisms for different process types.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic adaptability where the classification system can be configured and reconfigured for different process systems without structural changes. The 4 dimensions and 5-table framework remain static and simple, while their content and relationships dynamically adapt to represent diverse processes, maintaining low system complexity while providing high classification flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for control, analysis and simulation of research, development, manufacturing and distribution processes, in which the data relevant for describing the process are mapped in a four-dimensional coordinate space with the orthogonal coordinate axes source, sink, object or service and time and are stored in a relational database with tree structure, wherein, for logical connection of the coordinates source, sink and object or service during performance of an analysis or simulation, there are provided a transaction table, in which time-related information on inventory changes of data stored in the coordinates source, sink and object or service is recorded, and a resource table, in which time-related information on costs and capacities of the process under consideration is recorded.