Beacon Data Transformation via Automated Program Generation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Companies face the challenge of transforming unstructured beacon data into structured data for analysis, as existing methods require writing specific programs for each type of beacon, which is tedious and limits user participation due to the need for programming skills.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that generate instructions for a target program to process beacons by determining applicable beacon objects, mapping unstructured data to structured data fields, and performing transformations, using an object model and specification to automate the data transformation process, allowing users to declaratively specify desired structured data without writing code.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If programs are manually written to transform unstructured beacon data into structured data, then the transformation accuracy and flexibility are improved, but the complexity of the system and the time required increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically generates transformation programs by having the computer execute the object model and specification to produce target programs, eliminating the need for manual programming while maintaining transformation accuracy through automated code generation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary compilation system that translates high-level object models and specifications into executable transformation programs, serving as a mediator between the unstructured data and the structured data requirements without requiring users to write complex transformation logic
2Adaptability or versatility
If specific programs are written for each type of beacon, then the processing capability for diverse beacon types is improved, but the productivity and ease of operation deteriorate due to the need for programming expertise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal system where a single object model and specification framework can handle multiple types of beacons through automated program generation, allowing the same system to adapt to diverse beacon types without requiring separate manual programs for each type
Solution Approach 2:
The system handles different beacon types by changing parameters within the object model and specification rather than requiring different programs, allowing flexible adaptation to various beacon formats through configuration rather than coding
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual program writing is required for data transformation, then the flexibility in handling different beacon formats is improved, but the ease of operation and accessibility to non-programmers worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically generating the transformation programs needed to handle different beacon formats, eliminating the need for users to write code while maintaining flexibility through the object model and specification-driven approach
Solution Approach 2:
The patent prepares transformation programs in advance through automated generation from object models and specifications, so that when diverse beacon types need to be processed, the appropriate transformation logic is already ready without requiring users to write or configure programs at runtime
Data Source
AI summary
In one embodiment, a method receives an object model determined from a specification for processing beacons. The method determines first information for a beacon object referenced in a basefact object to determine which beacon objects are applicable for the basefact object. Second information is determined for the structured data fields referenced in the basefact object to determine which output fields map to which structured data fields and third information is determined for a set of transformations for a set of input fields in the set of composite objects for the beacon to determine how to perform transformations to transform the set of input fields to the set of output fields. The method then generates instructions for a target program to process the beacons to transform the set of input fields to the set of output fields and map the set of output fields to the structured data fields.