XML Substitution Rules for Cable Connection Records

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Solution Overview

Problem

Legacy code for managing physical and virtual cable connections is cumbersome due to extensive use of if-then-else conditional clauses, making it difficult to maintain and prone to errors when adding new wiring rules or defining cabling combinations.

Innovation Solution

A system and method that utilizes XML documents to define substitution rules and variables, organizing source and destination attributes in ranges to generate compressed connection records, ensuring correct and duplicate-free connections through a schema-based approach.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If legacy code with if-then-else conditional clauses is used to manage cable connections, then wiring rules can be verified, but the code becomes difficult to maintain and error-prone

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewiring rule verificationVSAvoidcode complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the wiring rule verification logic from legacy code into a separate, dedicated system that uses XML schemas and substitution rules. This separation removes the complex if-then-else conditional clauses from the main codebase, making it easier to maintain while preserving the reliability of wiring verification through the specialized verification module.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary layer consisting of XML schemas and substitution rules that mediate between the connection data and the verification logic. This intermediary structure replaces direct conditional programming with a declarative rule-based system, reducing code complexity while maintaining verification reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If extensive code parsing is performed to add new wiring rules, then new rules can be implemented, but the process becomes tedious and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewiring rule flexibilityVSAvoidtime to add wiring rules
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary action by pre-defining XML schemas and substitution rules that structure connection data before verification. This preparation work is done once and reused for multiple wiring rules, eliminating the need for repeated code parsing and enabling quick addition of new wiring rules through simple schema modifications.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements a dynamic rule system where wiring rules are defined externally in XML schemas rather than being hard-coded. This allows the system to adapt to new wiring requirements by simply updating the schema definitions, making the system both flexible and easy to modify without time-consuming code changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If all possible cabling combinations are manually defined, then complete coverage is achieved, but the task becomes tedious and error-prone due to discrete differences

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecabling combination accuracyVSAvoidease of defining cabling combinations
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal XML schema framework that can handle multiple cabling combinations through parameterized substitution rules. Instead of manually defining each combination, the system uses universal patterns with variables that automatically adapt to different scenarios, reducing manual effort while maintaining accuracy through systematic rule application.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses parameter changes by introducing substitution variables and range expressions in XML schemas. This allows the system to define cabling combinations parametrically rather than explicitly, where changing parameters automatically generates the appropriate verification rules, improving both accuracy and ease of definition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS10204172B2Defining pairing rules for connections
Publication Date: 2019.02.12 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION
  • US10204172B2 patent drawing
  • US10204172B2 patent drawing
  • US10204172B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A system and method for compressing that comprises establishing attributes or elements to build a schema that is utilized to generate a record that includes the connection descriptions, building a set of substitution rules by using range expressions and substitution variables, and utilizing the set of substitution rules to associate value assignments that compress the connection descriptions within the record.