Dynamic Cube Generation for Faceted Search Analysis

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Solution Overview

Problem

Relational database systems, specifically OLAP databases, are limited in handling complex queries and unstructured data, while faceted searches cannot perform slice-and-dice operations typical of OLAP tasks, and static OLAP cubes are rigid, limiting their usefulness.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method that constructs a facet hierarchy from query results, creates a cube structure based on this hierarchy, and displays a multi-dimensional search interface, allowing for dynamic and flexible data analysis by mapping facets to cube dimensions and measures, enabling both structured and unstructured data access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If static OLAP cubes are used to speed up analytical operations, then query performance is improved, but adaptability to complex queries and unstructured data deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvequery performanceVSAvoidadaptability to complex queries
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transforms static OLAP cubes into dynamic structures by automatically generating cube dimensions and measures from faceted search results. The cube structure is dynamically created and updated based on query results, allowing the system to adapt to complex queries and unstructured data while maintaining analytical performance. This resolves the contradiction by making the cube flexible rather than rigid.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a mediator between faceted search and OLAP cube operations. The system uses faceted search results as an intermediary to automatically generate cube dimensions and measures, enabling complex queries and unstructured data to be integrated into the OLAP cube structure. This intermediary layer allows both faceted search flexibility and OLAP analytical operations to coexist.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If faceted searches are used to access unstructured data, then data accessibility is improved, but support for slice-and-dice operations deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata accessibilityVSAvoidsupport for slice-and-dice operations
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges faceted search and OLAP cube operations into a unified system. It combines the data accessibility strengths of faceted search with the analytical capabilities of OLAP cubes by automatically generating cube dimensions from facet hierarchies. This merging enables both easy data access and slice-and-dice operations to function together seamlessly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal system that handles both unstructured data access and complex analytical operations through a single integrated approach. The automatic cube generation from faceted search results enables the system to perform multiple functions - accessing unstructured data, performing slice-and-dice operations, and maintaining adaptability - all within one framework.

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

3Adaptability or versatility

If dynamic cube generation from faceted search is implemented, then adaptability to complex queries is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to complex queriesVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements self-service by having the system automatically generate cube dimensions and measures from faceted search results without manual intervention. The system serves itself by extracting dimensional information from query results and constructing appropriate cube structures, reducing the need for complex manual configuration while maintaining high adaptability to complex queries.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS7730059B2Cube faceted data analysis
Publication Date: 2010.06.01 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION
  • US7730059B2 patent drawing
  • US7730059B2 patent drawing
  • US7730059B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Methods, systems, and computer readable medium for displaying results of a search query. In one implementation, the method includes receiving a query, obtaining documents that satisfy the query, constructing a facet hierarchy based on documents that satisfy the query, creating a cube structure based on the facet hierarchy, and displaying a multi-dimensional search interface based on the cube structure.