Directed Graph Conversion for Key-Value to Relational Data

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Solution Overview

Problem

Transaction-oriented systems with loosely-structured key-value databases face challenges in converting binary data to relational formats required for data mining and analytical processing, as existing methods struggle to handle diverse and complex data structures.

Innovation Solution

A system converts serialized object graphs in key-value databases to directed graphs, where each node represents an entity and edges represent relationships, using graph queries to identify unique entities and extract properties, thereby transforming the data into a relational format suitable for relational databases.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If loosely-structured binary data is stored in key-value databases, then data storage flexibility is improved, but data conversion to relational formats becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata storage flexibilityVSAvoiddata conversion complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary conversion system that includes a graph query processor and relational data generator. This intermediary layer translates between the flexible key-value store format and the structured relational format required for analytical processing, resolving the contradiction by providing a bridge that maintains both storage flexibility and queryability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The conversion process is segmented into distinct stages: deserialization of binary data, construction of directed graphs from key-value pairs, application of graph queries to identify entities and relationships, and generation of relational tables. This segmentation makes the complex conversion process manageable and systematic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Productivity

If binary object graphs are converted to relational format, then data mining capability is improved, but data structure complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata mining capabilityVSAvoiddata structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts entities, properties, and relationships from the binary object graphs through graph queries, separating these elements into distinct relational tables. This extraction process enables data mining operations while organizing the complex data structure into manageable relational components that can be independently processed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Measurement precision

If graph queries are applied to identify unique entities, then data accuracy is improved, but processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveentity identification accuracyVSAvoidprocessing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-identifying entities and relationships through graph queries before the actual data conversion to relational format. This preliminary identification ensures accuracy in entity mapping while allowing the subsequent conversion process to proceed efficiently with already-analyzed data structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11620311B1Transformation of directed graph into relational data
Publication Date: 2023.04.04 AMAZON TECH INC
  • US11620311B1 patent drawing
  • US11620311B1 patent drawing
  • US11620311B1 patent drawing

AI summary

A key-value database may maintain a collection of data in which the value components are serialized object graphs. The object graphs may be deserialized and converted to a directed graph. Each node may represent an entity and each edge a relationship between entities. Instructions associated with a table may indicate criteria for identifying corresponding entities in a directed graph. A row of the table may be created for each entity having a unique permutation of identifying properties. Column values may be obtained using instructions for accessing entity properties and mapping from the properties to column values.