Genealogy Data Conflict Resolution via Alternative Branch Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing genealogy investigation tools often favor the most recent data submissions, leading to conflicts and difficulties in resolving data discrepancies, as they overwrite previous user submissions without considering the reliability and accuracy of different data sources.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that treat new information as additional data, storing it as records without categorically deeming it correct, and using a data-centric approach to infer relationships and attributes based on likelihood thresholds, allowing users to select among alternatives and update family trees without overwriting existing data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the system allows independent users to submit data and uses the most recent submission to overwrite conflicting data, then the system is easy to operate and data can be continuously updated, but data conflicts become difficult to resolve and reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the family tree data into multiple alternative versions or possibilities rather than maintaining a single authoritative version. When conflicts arise between different user submissions, the system creates separate data branches representing different interpretations, allowing users to explore multiple possibilities without overwriting other users' work. This segmentation preserves all submitted data while enabling conflict resolution through user selection.
2Device complexity
If the system overwrites conflicting data with the latest submission, then the system remains simple in structure, but data conflicts are difficult to resolve and information loss occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a nested data structure where multiple alternative data versions are contained within the family tree structure. Each conflicting data element is nested with its alternatives, creating a hierarchical organization that preserves all submitted information. This nested approach allows the system to maintain relative simplicity at the top level while containing the complexity of multiple alternatives within nested structures, preventing information loss during conflict resolution.
3Reliability
If the system treats new information as additional data without categorically deeming it correct, then multiple data sources and their reliability can be considered, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of data validation from binary (correct/incorrect) to multi-dimensional, incorporating reliability scores, source authority levels, and confidence metrics. Each data submission is evaluated against multiple parameters rather than a single correctness criterion. This allows the system to consider multiple data sources and their relative reliability while providing users with informed choices about which alternatives to accept, transforming the complexity from hidden processing to transparent, user-visible evaluation criteria.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of creating a family tree includes receiving a request from a user to return a file that includes the family tree and using a plurality of primary source records to construct the family tree based on the request. The records indicate multiple alternatives for at least one branch of the family tree. The method also includes sending a file that includes the family tree to the user. The file includes the alternatives.