Track Associator for Multi-System Reconciliation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current tracking systems face inefficiencies and human error due to differing classification levels, network separations, and data format incompatibilities, leading to challenges in sharing track data and reconciling air event information across organizations, particularly in national security and law enforcement contexts.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method and apparatus that uses a centralized associator to assign global track identifiers (GIDs) to track identification data from multiple tracking systems, allowing each system to perform its own analysis and match local tracks, thereby facilitating the reconciliation of track data across systems while maintaining autonomy.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a centralized authority system is used to assign track identifiers, then track data sharing across systems is improved, but trust and autonomy issues cause systems to reject the mappings

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetrack data sharing capabilityVSAvoidsystem trust and acceptance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an Associator as an intermediary component that receives track identification data from multiple tracking systems, assigns global track identifiers (GIDs), and distributes them back to the systems. This mediator enables track data sharing without requiring any single system to fully trust another, as each system independently verifies tracks against the GID assignments provided by the Associator.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system divides the track identification function into separate components: each tracking system maintains its own local track analysis and numbering scheme, while the Associator handles the global identifier assignment. This segmentation allows each system to preserve its autonomy and trust boundaries while still achieving interoperability through the shared GID space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If manual reconciliation is used to share track data, then system autonomy is maintained, but efficiency deteriorates due to human error and time consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem autonomyVSAvoidtrack data reconciliation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Each tracking system independently performs its own track analysis and determines which of its local tracks match the global track identifiers assigned by the Associator. This self-service approach maintains system autonomy while eliminating the need for manual reconciliation, as systems automatically correlate their local tracks with the global GID space.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical process of manual phone communication and human reconciliation with an automated electronic system. The Associator electronically distributes GID assignments to all tracking systems, which then automatically perform mathematical analysis to match their local tracks with the global identifiers, eliminating human error and time-consuming manual processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If downward communication direction is used from central authority, then track identifier assignment is simplified, but disagreements among tracking systems cannot be accommodated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveidentifier assignment complexityVSAvoiddisagreement accommodation capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements dynamic, bidirectional communication between the Associator and tracking systems. While the Associator assigns GIDs in a simplified manner, the tracking systems dynamically respond by analyzing their local tracks and reporting matches back to the Associator. This dynamic interaction allows the system to accommodate disagreements, as each system can indicate which local tracks it believes correspond to which GIDs, and the Associator can adjust assignments based on this feedback.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where tracking systems send their local track analysis results back to the Associator. This feedback allows the Associator to understand each system's perspective on track identities and adjust GID assignments accordingly, accommodating disagreements while maintaining overall system coherence.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS10914833B2Track associator

Publication Date: 2021.02.09 THE MITRE CORPORATION

AI summary

Disclosed here are system, apparatus, article of manufacture, method and/or computer program product embodiments for track association. An embodiment operates by receiving a first set of track identification data from a first tracking system. The first set of track identification data is associated with a global track identifier (GID). The first set of track identification data associated with the GID is broadcasted to the first tracking system and a second tracking system. A second set of track identification data is received from the second tracking system. The second set of track identification data identifies any tracks of the second tracking system that match the first set of track identification data. The GID is associated with the second set of track identification data.