Collaboration Database Service for Choice Data Presentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Databases are not optimized for collaborative editing and data sharing at the end-user level, making them inaccessible and inefficient for average users, especially in large-scale operations that require easy creation, editing, and sharing of content across devices.

Innovation Solution

A collaboration database service that integrates with productivity applications, allowing users to create, edit, and share content on custom databases by automatically selecting and modifying symbols and text values for choice type columns, enabling efficient presentation of single or multi-choice data across devices, and facilitating machine-based learning for future adjustments.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If databases are used for data management, then data storage and organization capabilities are improved, but user accessibility and ease of operation deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata storage capabilityVSAvoiduser accessibility
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary layer between traditional databases and end users, implementing a collaboration database service that translates complex database operations into simple, intuitive interfaces. This intermediary handles data storage, retrieval, and management internally while presenting simplified interaction models to users, thereby maintaining data storage capabilities while dramatically improving user accessibility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the database system into distinct functional layers: the collaboration database service layer that handles user interaction, the database engine layer that manages data storage, and the application layer that provides specific functionalities. This segmentation allows each layer to optimize for its specific function while working together, resolving the contradiction between storage capability and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Stability of the object's composition

If traditional databases are used, then data organization capabilities are improved, but collaborative editing and sharing efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata organizationVSAvoidcollaborative editing efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Stability of the object's compositionVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the strengths of traditional databases (data organization) with the capabilities of productivity applications (collaborative editing and sharing). The collaboration database service combines structured data management with real-time collaboration features, allowing multiple users to edit and share data simultaneously while maintaining organized data structures, thus resolving the contradiction between data organization and collaborative efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal platform that performs multiple functions: data storage, organization, collaborative editing, real-time sharing, and integration with various productivity applications. This multi-functional system eliminates the need for separate database management and collaboration tools, improving productivity while maintaining data organization capabilities.

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

3Productivity

If automated selection of symbols and text values is implemented, then user interaction efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser interaction efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service functionality where the system automatically selects appropriate symbols and text values based on the data being entered and the context. The collaboration database service autonomously performs these selections without requiring manual configuration by users, thereby improving interaction efficiency. The system learns from usage patterns and automatically adapts, reducing the need for complex manual setup while maintaining high efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS10628468B2Single or multi-choice data presentation through collaboration database service
Publication Date: 2020.04.21 MICROSOFT TECHNOLOGY LICENSING LLC
  • US10628468B2 patent drawing
  • US10628468B2 patent drawing
  • US10628468B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A collaboration database service may allow users to create, edit, and share collaborative content on custom databases, and may also integrate and interoperate with various productivity applications. For example, a collaboration database engine of the service may detect creation or modification of a table through an application associated with the service. In response to a request to add a choice type column to the table, the engine may automatically select, provide, and enable modification of a set of symbols and associated text values corresponding to choices. The engine may then provide the choice type column for display within the table such that each cell of the choice type column is automatically and/or manually populated with at least one of the choices. The choice may be represented by a symbol and/or associated text value from the modified set of symbols and associated text values corresponding to the choice.