Architecture
A schematic description of the three-layer conceptual model proposed by xClawFlex. This is not an implementation specification. It defines a possible structural approach for further investigation.
Enterprise Systems
Components
Role
Manages organizational data, business rules, and transaction records. This layer is not modified by xClawFlex — it is queried and notified through defined interfaces.
Interface
Inbound API calls or event subscriptions from the Support Layer.
xClawFlex Support Layer
Components
Role
The conceptual middleware under investigation. Receives physical events, applies mapping and validation logic, and communicates with the enterprise layer. Logic is externalized here.
Interface
Receives events from Physical Layer. Calls Enterprise Layer. Returns instructions to Physical Layer.
Robotic / Physical Systems
Components
Role
Executes physical actions in the real world. Generates physical events that are passed to the Support Layer for contextual processing.
Interface
Publishes physical events upward. Receives validation signals or instructions from the Support Layer.
A proposed sequence of data exchanges between the three layers. This is a simplified representation and does not account for error states, timeouts, or partial failures.
Includes action type, object identifiers, location data, timestamp
Queries applicable business rules for the mapped enterprise transaction type
Returns PROCEED / HOLD with optional reason code
Passes the enterprise decision back to the robotic system
Posts the confirmed enterprise event upon physical completion
Non-Invasive
The support layer must not require modifications to ERP core modules or robotic firmware.
Stateless Where Possible
Individual request processing should avoid reliance on internal state to improve predictability.
Vendor Neutral
No assumption of a specific ERP vendor or robotic hardware manufacturer.
Fail-Safe Orientation
Unclear or failed validation should default to a hold state, not an automatic proceed.
Auditable
All context mapping and validation decisions should produce a queryable trace.
Configurable
Mapping schemas and rule sets should be externally configurable without code changes.
Physical → Support Interface
// Inbound event structure (conceptual)
PhysicalEvent {
event_type: string // e.g. "PICK" | "PLACE" | "TRANSFER"
robot_id: string // physical actor identifier
object_id: string // object being manipulated
location: LocationRef // source and/or destination
timestamp: ISO8601 // event occurrence time
metadata: object // extensible additional context
}
Support → Enterprise Interface
// Outbound transaction request (conceptual)
EnterpriseRequest {
tx_type: string // mapped enterprise transaction type
source_ref: string // reference to originating physical event
payload: object // transaction-specific fields
request_id: string // for traceability correlation
}
EnterpriseResponse {
decision: "PROCEED" | "HOLD"
reason_code: string | null
}
Note: All interface definitions above are conceptual sketches for discussion purposes. Field names, types, and structures are subject to revision. No implementation of these interfaces currently exists.