Configurable Document Template in Multi-Tenant Database
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional database systems do not provide users with the ability to configure the design of their own electronic documents generated with data from the system, nor can they dynamically render documents based on user-defined layouts.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for creating a configurable document template in a multi-tenant database system, allowing users to select database objects, design document layouts using a visual template editor, and generate documents in various formats like PDF, using renderers that convert layout information into target formats.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional database systems are used, then data retrieval and storage functions are provided, but users cannot configure or customize the design of electronic documents generated with the data
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments document creation into distinct components: template definition phase (where users design layouts and select database fields) and rendering phase (where actual documents are generated). This separation allows users to customize document designs without complicating the core database system, as the template metadata stores the customization logic independently from data operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces template metadata as an intermediary layer between the database system and the final electronic document. This metadata acts as a configuration bridge that captures user design choices (layout, field selections, formatting) and translates them into renderable document structures, enabling customization without direct modification of the database core.
2Ease of operation
If users are able to configure custom document designs, then document flexibility and user control are improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables users to independently configure document templates through a visual interface where they can drag and drop database fields, arrange layouts, and define document structures without requiring system administrator intervention or complex programming. The template metadata automatically captures these user-defined configurations for later rendering.
3Adaptability or versatility
If dynamic rendering of documents based on user design is implemented, then document generation flexibility is improved, but processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary configuration work during template definition, where users pre-specify the document structure, field mappings, and layout arrangements. This advance preparation is stored as template metadata, so that during actual document generation, the system simply needs to retrieve the pre-configured template and populate it with current data, significantly reducing real-time processing complexity.
4Productivity
If conventional document generation approaches are used, then simple data retrieval is maintained, but document design customization and dynamic rendering are not possible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the document generation process by changing key parameters: instead of hardcoding document layouts, the system uses configurable template metadata that stores layout definitions, field selections, and formatting parameters. This allows the same underlying data to be rendered into multiple different document designs by simply changing the template parameters, maintaining efficiency while enabling flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
In a method, system, and computer-readable medium having instructions for providing a quote template in a multi-tenant database system, information on a selection of a first database object is received for use in creation of a document template, representations for one or more database fields related to the first database object are displayed on a user interface and a database field related to the first database object has a database field of the first database object or a second database object related to the first database object and a representation of the database field may be selected on a layout for one or more documents that can be created with the document template, information is received on the layout of a document to be created with the document template and the layout of the document template has one or more selected database fields related to the first database object, and rendering information is generated for the document with information on the layout in the document template in a target format.