Unified Data Format for Measurement Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current measurement devices use proprietary data formats that restrict data communication and analysis, making it difficult to unify and compare data from different devices, especially across various manufacturers.

Innovation Solution

A data processing device and method that converts input data from measurement devices into a unified, standardized format, independent of the device-specific formats, using an interpreter capable of translating data into a common format like XML, allowing for human-readable and machine-readable data representation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If measurement devices use proprietary data formats, then each device can be optimized for its specific function, but data communication and analysis between different devices becomes difficult and requires individual adjustment

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice-specific data format reliabilityVSAvoiddata format compatibility
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary translation layer that converts proprietary measurement device data formats into a standardized XML-based format. This mediator component enables seamless data exchange between devices with different proprietary formats without requiring individual adjustments, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining device-specific optimization and achieving universal compatibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a universal data representation standard that can handle multiple proprietary formats through a common XML structure. This universal format serves as a multi-functional interface that accommodates data from various measurement devices while maintaining the ability to represent device-specific characteristics through standardized elements and attributes.

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

2Ease of operation

If proprietary data formats are used for each measurement device, then device-specific requirements are met, but data unification and comparison across devices becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice-specific operation easeVSAvoiddata conversion and comparison time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining a comprehensive XML data structure that anticipates various measurement data types and formats. This predefined framework allows for automated translation and unification of data from different devices, eliminating the need for time-consuming manual adjustments and enabling rapid data comparison across multiple measurement devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If device-specific communication languages are used, then each device can communicate efficiently within its own system, but integration with connected devices requires individual adjustment and increases system complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice-specific communication efficiencyVSAvoidsystem integration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary translation layer that converts proprietary measurement device data formats into a standardized XML-based format. This mediator component enables seamless data exchange between devices with different proprietary formats without requiring individual adjustments, thus resolving the contradiction between maintaining device-specific optimization and achieving universal compatibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS7634377B2Unitary data format for measurement devices
Publication Date: 2009.12.15 AGILENT TECHNOLOGIES INC
  • US7634377B2 patent drawing
  • US7634377B2 patent drawing
  • US7634377B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A method of processing data includes providing input data by a measurement device, converting the input data into output data provided in a unified data format, wherein the unified data format is a unique data format which is independent of individual formats of various measurement devices, wherein the unique data format is a relational data format, and the relational data format is a format in which data items are grouped to data item groups being logically linked to one another, and further processing the output data.