Enriching Database Queries via External Data Mediation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Developing software applications that efficiently integrate data from internal and external sources is challenging, as it requires handling various authentication models, communication protocols, and billing requirements, which is beyond the capabilities of typical query authors and is time-consuming.
Innovation Solution
A translation mechanism that allows data from internal database queries to be enriched with data from external sources using straightforward query commands, eliminating the need for separate providers and simplifying the process by using an enrichment server to combine internal and external data, with the translation mechanism initiating native function calls to external data sources based on query parameters.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a separate application is developed to access external data sources, then data integration capability is improved, but device complexity and development time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary application that acts as a mediator between the user and multiple external data sources. This single intermediary application handles authentication, communication protocols, and data retrieval for all external sources, eliminating the need for users to develop separate applications for each data source. The intermediary application translates user-friendly queries into source-specific requests and aggregates results, thereby maintaining high adaptability while reducing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal application that can access multiple different external data sources through a single interface. This multi-functional application supports various authentication models, communication protocols, and data formats from different sources without requiring separate specialized applications. By consolidating multiple functions into one application, the system maintains versatility while reducing the complexity that would arise from having multiple separate applications.
2Adaptability or versatility
If custom applications are developed for each external data source, then data access functionality is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The intermediary application shields users from the complexity of different data sources by handling all authentication, protocol translation, and data retrieval operations. Users simply submit their data requests through a unified interface, and the intermediary application manages all the technical details of accessing different external sources, thereby maintaining full data access functionality while dramatically improving ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The intermediary application performs self-service by automatically handling authentication credentials, communication protocols, and data format conversions without requiring user intervention. The application autonomously manages the complexity of accessing multiple external data sources, allowing users to operate the system simply by submitting their data requests without needing to understand or configure the underlying access mechanisms.
3Loss of information
If comprehensive data enrichment is implemented, then information completeness is improved, but processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-establishing authentication credentials, communication protocols, and data retrieval configurations for multiple external data sources during system setup. This preliminary configuration work is performed once, allowing subsequent data enrichment operations to proceed quickly without repeatedly establishing connections or negotiating authentication. The intermediary application maintains ready-to-use access mechanisms that enable rapid data retrieval when enrichment is requested.
Data Source
AI summary
The subject disclosure is directed towards enriching database query responses using data from external data sources. When processing a database query seeking enriched data from an external data source, a request is communicated to the external data source based on the database query. An enriched database query response is generated based on data provided by the external data source. The enriched database query response may be combined with data returned via an internal database query operation, and/or inserted into a local database table.