Data Converting Apparatus Using Metadata Codes for Flexible Type Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional data conversion systems face challenges in expanding data types and type attributes, leading to inconsistencies and increased developer burden due to the lack of units for ensuring type attribute consistency and efficient selection of cleansing functions.
Innovation Solution
A data converting apparatus that utilizes encoded meta-definition information to assign metadata codes, a conversion rule table, and a converting function to match metadata codes for data conversion, enabling flexible and efficient conversion between different data types and attributes without requiring pre-defined conversion logic.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conventional cleansing functions with pre-determined data type combinations are used, then data conversion can be performed with existing types, but expandability deteriorates when new data types or type attributes need to be added
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the data type system into distinct components: data type definitions, type attribute definitions, and cleansing function definitions are separated into independent units. This allows each component to be defined, stored, and managed separately, enabling easy expansion of data types and attributes without complicating the overall system structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention creates a universal cleansing function selection mechanism that works across all data type combinations through a common framework. The system uses type attribute information and cleansing function definition information that can be applied universally to any data type, eliminating the need for separate pre-determined combinations for each specific type pair.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple data types and type attributes are combined and used, then data conversion capability increases, but consistency between type attributes and processes deteriorates without a unit for ensuring consistency
Solution Approach 1:
The invention implements feedback mechanisms where the system refers to stored type attribute information and cleansing function definition information to automatically determine appropriate cleansing functions. This closed-loop approach ensures that type attribute consistency is maintained by continuously referencing the defined specifications during data conversion operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-defining and storing type attribute information and cleansing function definition information in a structured manner before actual data conversion occurs. This advance preparation ensures consistency is built into the system architecture, eliminating the need for runtime consistency checks.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the number of data types, type attributes, type converting functions, and cleansing functions is increased, then conversion coverage improves, but developer burden and management complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention enables the system to self-configure cleansing functions by automatically referring to stored type attribute information and cleansing function definition information. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for developers to manually configure each cleansing function for every data type combination, significantly reducing developer burden while maintaining comprehensive conversion coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses templates and definition information that can be copied and reused across multiple data types and scenarios. By storing cleansing function definition information in a standardized format, the same definitions can be referenced repeatedly, reducing the effort required to manage extensive data type conversions.
4Productivity
If conventional cleansing functions are used without an efficient selection mechanism, then all cleansing functions must be considered for each combination, but performance deteriorates due to inability to efficiently select necessary functions
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by pre-defining and storing cleansing function definition information that includes type attribute information and function characteristics. This advance organization allows the system to quickly identify and select appropriate cleansing functions without exhaustive searching, significantly improving performance while reducing selection time.
Data Source
AI summary
A data converting apparatus includes a storage unit that stores encoded meta-definition information, a data converting function, a conversion rule table, and a conversion rule; an input unit that receives input of data to be converted; a detecting unit that uses the encoded meta-definition information to detect metadata codes for a conversion source and a conversion destination for which the conversion rule code matches; a determining unit that determines whether the detected metadata codes match; a specifying unit that, by referring to a conversion rule and based on the determination result at the determining unit, specifies the data converting function, according to the combination of the metadata codes for the conversion source and for the conversion destination; and a converting unit that uses the specified data converting function to convert the data of the conversion source to have a property prescribed by metadata for the conversion destination.