Data Integration Interface for Heterogeneous Resource Subsets
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Solution Overview
Problem
Accessing and processing data from various heterogeneous databases is challenging due to different data formats, requiring significant knowledge about the formats and lacking straightforward methods to combine data effectively, leading to issues like data overload and information poverty.
Innovation Solution
A system that includes a resource interface, integration means, and a user interface allowing users to select and integrate data from multiple sources by using meta-data for quality assessment and on-the-fly data joining, with a user ontology and mapping editor to facilitate data access and presentation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If data from multiple heterogeneous databases is integrated automatically by the system, then data processing efficiency is improved, but the system complexity and knowledge requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary layer (wrapper) between the heterogeneous databases and the user interface. This wrapper automatically performs data format translation and integration, allowing efficient data processing without requiring users to understand complex data formats or integration logic. The intermediary handles the complexity internally while presenting a simplified interface to users.
2Loss of information
If all available underlying resources are integrated into a single view, then data completeness is improved, but data quality and relevance decrease due to inclusion of unnecessary resources
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables users to select specific subsets of underlying resources to integrate, rather than forcing integration of all available resources. This allows users to tailor the integration to their specific needs, including only the resources that are relevant and high-quality for their particular task, thereby maintaining data completeness for the selected scope while ensuring data quality by excluding irrelevant resources.
3Adaptability or versatility
If users are provided with direct access to all underlying resources and their formats, then data access flexibility is improved, but ease of operation decreases due to required knowledge of data formats
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex data access task into two distinct layers: a simplified user interface layer that provides ease of operation, and an underlying resource layer that maintains data format diversity and flexibility. The wrapper translates between these layers, allowing users to access data flexibly through high-level operations without needing to understand the complex formats of underlying resources.
4Productivity
If comprehensive data integration is performed automatically, then productivity is improved, but user control over data selection is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a dynamic system where the degree of automation can be adjusted based on user needs. Users can select specific subsets of resources to integrate, and the system automatically performs the integration for the selected subset. This dynamic approach allows users to maintain control over which resources are integrated while still benefiting from automated processing, balancing productivity and user control.
Data Source
AI summary
A system for processing data comprising: a plurality of resource interfaces each of which is operable to access a corresponding underlying resource, and a processor unit for integrating data accessed from the underlying resources and controlling a user interface. The user interface is operable in use to permit a user to view all of the underlying resources currently accessible to the system and to select a plurality of these to form a subset comprising some, but not all, of the underlying resources from which to form an integrated view of the sub-set. The processor unit is operable to store the selection within a user selection store and to determine how to join the data from the selected underlying resources to generate an integrated view of the selected sub-set of underlying resources and to generate data for transmission to a device for displaying the generated view to the user.