Data String Recoding for Embedded Metadata Without Schema Changes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing database systems face challenges in embedding additional information without modifying existing database structures, especially when dealing with sensitive data like medical records or credit card information, as adding new fields during daily operations is impractical.
Innovation Solution
The method involves recoding data strings from their original format to a larger character set, allowing unused characters to embed information without altering the original data, and using format-preserving encryption engines to encrypt and decrypt data strings while maintaining their original format, thus enabling information storage without requiring database modifications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If additional data fields are added to an existing database, then information storage capability is improved, but database structure modification complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges additional information with existing data strings by embedding it within the same field. Instead of adding separate fields for metadata like encryption version numbers or key identifiers, these are combined into single data strings that contain both the original data and the additional information in an encoded format.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements nesting by embedding additional information within the structure of existing data strings. The extra data is nested inside the original field format, allowing multiple layers of information to be contained within a single database field without altering the overall database schema.
2Adaptability or versatility
If database fields are altered during daily operations, then information storage flexibility is improved, but system operational stability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining the embedding format and character set mappings before data is stored. The system establishes the rules for how additional information will be encoded and integrated into existing fields in advance, allowing flexible information storage without requiring field alterations during active database operations.
3Quantity of substance
If data strings are recoded to larger character sets, then information embedding capability is improved, but data processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes parameters by expanding the character set used in data strings from a limited set to a larger set that can encode additional information. By changing the character set parameters and establishing mapping relationships, the system gains the capability to embed extra information while maintaining compatibility with existing data formats.
Data Source
AI summary
A data processing system is provided that includes applications, databases, encryption engines, and decryption engines. Encryption and decryption engines may be used to perform format-preserving encryption on data strings stored in a database. Applications may be used to embed information in data strings. Information may be embedded by using a character set that is larger than a character set being used by a data string. A data string may be converted into a larger character set, analogous to converting a number from a lower base to higher base. Such a conversion may shorten a data string, allowing information to be embedded as appended characters.