Entity Management Using Immutable Observations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems managing information about entities with geographic locations face issues such as user experience degradation due to simultaneous edits, loss of valid information when entities change locations, and difficulties in determining which information applies to split entities, primarily because they rely on system-generated identifiers that become unstable.
Innovation Solution
An entity management system treats user edits and provider information as immutable observations, using context attributes to match and cluster information without relying on system-generated identifiers, allowing for efficient processing and retention of relevant information even when entities change or split.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the system uses system-generated identifiers to track entity information, then the system can efficiently manage and update entity data, but the system loses valid information when entities change locations or split into multiple entities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments entity information into immutable observations that are independent of system-generated identifiers. Each observation is a self-contained unit with its own context, allowing information to be preserved even when entities change locations or split. This segmentation decouples the information from the identifier system that previously caused information loss.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces context as an intermediary between the observation and the entity. Instead of directly linking observations to entities through system-generated identifiers that change with location, the context serves as a stable mediator that preserves the relationship between the observation and the entity's identity, allowing information to survive entity transformations.
2Reliability
If the system processes user edits sequentially in the order received, then the system maintains data consistency, but the user experience degrades when multiple users attempt simultaneous edits
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates immutable copies of user edits as observations. Instead of processing edits sequentially and updating the entity state, each edit is copied as an immutable observation with its own context. This allows the system to maintain data consistency while enabling users to submit edits simultaneously without experiencing errors or delays, as each observation is independently validated and stored.
3Reliability
If the system discards actions that cannot be immediately applied, then the system maintains data integrity, but valid information is lost when entities change locations or attributes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary validation and context capture when the observation is created, rather than validating against current entity state at application time. The context is captured preliminarily with the observation, preserving the state at the time of the edit. This allows the system to maintain data integrity by validating observations independently while preserving valid information even when entity state changes.
4Productivity
If the system generates identifiers based on entity location, then the system can efficiently route and manage location-specific data, but the system loses previously associated information when entities move locations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the identifier system from the information storage system. Observations are not tied to location-based identifiers but are instead self-contained with their own context. This segmentation allows the system to maintain location-based routing efficiency while preserving information independently of location changes, as observations carry their own contextual information rather than relying on external identifiers.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for managing entities using observations. In one aspect, a method includes receiving data identifying an entity; generating a user interface document that, when rendered by a user device, presents a plurality of attribute values to a user and allows the user to modify one or more of the plurality of attribute values; and storing an observation in a data store, the observation including a user-modified value of one of the plurality of attribute values and a context including one or more of the presented attribute values.