Data Model Shortcut Paths for Accurate Object Relationship Mapping

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Solution Overview

Problem

Organizations face challenges in effectively utilizing vast collections of disparate data due to the difficulty in identifying relationships between different data objects, leading to potential errors in manual determination and inefficient business practices.

Innovation Solution

A data model is employed to represent objects and relationships as nodes and edges, allowing for the automatic generation of shortcut paths between related objects, including the use of closures and flow boundaries to determine directed paths and persist shortcuts for efficient data traversal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manual determination of relationships between data objects is used, then flexibility in analysis is maintained, but errors increase and efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccuracy of relationship identificationVSAvoidtime for manual analysis
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automatic self-determination of relationships between data objects through algorithmic processing. The relationship determination module automatically analyzes data models, identifies relationships between objects, and generates shortcut paths without requiring manual intervention, thereby eliminating human error and improving efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical analysis with automated computational algorithms. The system uses processing logic to automatically traverse data models, identify relationships, and construct paths, substituting the manual mechanical process of relationship determination with an automated digital system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If automated path generation is implemented, then efficiency improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvespeed of relationship identificationVSAvoidcomplexity of data model management system
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the complex task of relationship determination into distinct functional modules: data model representation module, relationship determination module, and shortcut path generation module. Each module handles a specific aspect of the process, making the overall complex system more manageable and maintainable through modular architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces intermediate representations and structures to simplify the relationship between complex data models and the required shortcut paths. The system uses intermediate data structures and processing logic that bridge the gap between the complex data model and the simplified output paths, making the overall system more manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If data from multiple sources is integrated, then comprehensive analysis capability improves, but difficulty in identifying relationships increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecapability to handle diverse data sourcesVSAvoiddifficulty of identifying relationships
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements a universal data model representation that can accommodate multiple data sources and types. The relationship determination module uses universal algorithms that work across different data sources, enabling the system to handle diverse data while maintaining consistent relationship identification capabilities without requiring source-specific processing.

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

Data Source

PatentUS12554748B2Generating shortcut paths between related objects
Publication Date: 2026.02.17 TABLEAU SOFTWARE INC
  • US12554748B2 patent drawing
  • US12554748B2 patent drawing
  • US12554748B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A method executes at a computing device having one or more processors and memory. The device identifies a set of objects for a data visualization platform, each object in the set of objects representing a database, a data source, a table, a data field, a user, a visualization worksheet, or a calculated field. The device generates a data model from the set of objects. Each object of the set of objects is represented as a node in the data model and each directed edge in the data model identifies a relationship between a pair of objects. The device generates one or more shortcuts in the data model according to object types of the objects in the set of objects. Each shortcut represents a relationship, between a respective pair of objects, not represented by a directed edge. Then the device stores the data model, including the generated shortcuts, in the memory.