Abstract: A cognate specification system manages and enforces digital, canonical representations of entities that are added to and in the system by creating a composite entity key (“EntityKey”) that uniquely and immutably identifies each entity within the system, and that is created based upon the attributes of the entity rather than being arbitrarily assigned. Entities may be organized into various types or cognates, each associated with distinct sets of attributes. A physical or digital referent may be added to the system as an entity by specifying attributes. In such a system, any entity, whether a physical or digital referent, a process, or other type, is uniquely and verifiably identifiable, and may be linked to or associated with other entities, allowing users of the system to produce and access specification granularity beyond traditional approaches focused on systems interoperability.

Abstract: A cognate specification system manages and enforces digital, canonical representations of entities that are added to and in the system by creating a composite entity key (“EntityKey”) that uniquely and immutably identifies each entity within the system, and that is created based upon the attributes of the entity rather than being arbitrarily assigned. Entities may be organized into various types or cognates, each associated with distinct sets of attributes. A physical or digital referent may be added to the system as an entity by specifying attributes. In such a system, any entity, whether a physical or digital referent, a process, or other type, is uniquely and verifiably identifiable, and may be linked to or associated with other entities, allowing users of the system to produce and access specification granularity beyond traditional approaches focused on systems interoperability.