Topic Management Unit for Distributed Database Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

In distributed production environments, existing data collection systems face challenges in efficiently accessing and managing data across multiple databases, leading to system complexity and increased management costs, especially when new topics or data sources are added.

Innovation Solution

An information processing system with a topic management unit that divides databases by topic, allowing for efficient data access and storage based on designated topics, and includes a transmission unit to associate and store data accordingly, while sharing topic information among data management units to avoid duplication and overlap.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If data is distributed across multiple databases for each production base, then data collection capability is improved, but system complexity and management cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata collection capabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a topic management unit as an intermediary layer between the distributed databases and users. This unit manages topic information across multiple databases, allowing users to access data by topic without needing to know the physical distribution of databases. The topic management unit mediates between the complex distributed database structure and simple user access requirements, resolving the contradiction between data collection capability and system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the database system by organizing data into topic-based divisions across multiple databases. Each database stores data for specific topics, and the topic management unit coordinates access across these segments. This segmentation allows efficient data collection while managing complexity through structured organization rather than monolithic database management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If users access data from distributed databases, then data utilization is improved, but user awareness of database structure increases complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata utilizationVSAvoiduser operation simplicity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The topic management unit serves as an intermediary that shields users from the distributed database structure. Users interact with the system through topic-based requests without needing to understand which physical database stores which data. This intermediary layer maintains high data utilization while preserving ease of operation by abstracting away structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The topic management unit provides universal access to data across all databases through a single interface. It handles multiple functions including topic registration, data storage coordination, and data retrieval across distributed databases. This multi-functionality allows users to access any topic data through the same simple mechanism regardless of physical distribution.

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

3Adaptability or versatility

If topic information is shared among all data management units, then access to new topics is maintained, but resource consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess to new topicsVSAvoidresource consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the topic information management function into a centralized topic management unit rather than duplicating it across all data management units. This consolidation maintains the ability to access new topics system-wide while reducing resource consumption by eliminating redundant topic information storage and processing at each data management unit. The centralized unit coordinates topic registration and information distribution efficiently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4184344A1Information processing system and information processing method
Publication Date: 2023.05.24 OMRON CORP
  • EP4184344A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4184344A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4184344A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An information processing system (1) includes: a plurality of databases (160) divided for each topic; a topic management unit (450) configured to manage the topic included in the plurality of databases; and an acquisition unit (150) configured to specify, in response to a request designating the topic, a database corresponding to the designated topic, and request data from the specified database.