Electronic File Comparator Using Reference Value Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Comparing large electronic data files is slow and resource-intensive due to the high processing required for identifying and reporting differences between files.
Innovation Solution
A method and tool that filters out or replaces non-critical data elements using filter parameters, reducing the complexity of comparisons by identifying and replacing specific data elements with reference values before generating an output report.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If all data elements in large electronic files are compared, then comprehensive difference detection is achieved, but comparison speed and processing efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the file comparison process into distinct phases: identifying data elements, replacing non-critical elements with reference values, and comparing remaining elements. This segmentation allows the system to focus computational resources on critical differences while efficiently handling non-critical data, thereby maintaining detection accuracy without sacrificing comparison speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts and replaces non-critical data elements (such as timestamps, version numbers, or metadata) with reference values before comparison. By removing these non-essential elements from the comparison process, the system reduces the volume of data to be processed while preserving the ability to detect meaningful differences in critical file content.
2Measurement precision
If comprehensive file comparison is performed, then all differences are detected, but processing resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by identifying and replacing non-critical data elements with reference values before the actual comparison process begins. This pre-processing step reduces the complexity of the subsequent comparison operation, thereby lowering processing resource consumption while ensuring that all critical differences remain detectable.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the state of non-critical data elements by replacing their original values with reference values. This parameter transformation allows the comparison algorithm to ignore non-critical variations while maintaining sensitivity to critical differences, thus reducing overall processing resource requirements without compromising detection completeness.
3Loss of information
If detailed reporting of all file differences is generated, then complete comparison results are provided, but output processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts non-critical differences (those involving replaced data elements) from the comparison results. By removing these non-essential differences from the output report, the system reduces report generation time and simplifies the presented information while retaining all critical differences that require user attention or further action.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies partial action by selectively reporting only the differences that involve non-replaced data elements. Instead of comprehensively reporting all detected differences (including those from replaced elements), the system focuses on presenting only the meaningful variations, thereby reducing output processing time while maintaining information completeness for critical issues.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention concerns a method of comparing by a comparator tool a pair of electronic data files each comprising a plurality of data elements, the method comprising: identifying at least one data element in each of said files; replacing the values of said at least one identified data elements in each of said files by a same reference value; comparing the files to detect differences between values of the data elements; and generating an output report indicating said differences.