Generic Query Interface for Industrial Systems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current software systems for information retrieval and filtering in industrial systems require customers to have intimate knowledge of the data model, making it impossible for users without this knowledge to formulate queries effectively.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that perform query decomposition, reformulation, and recomposition using a stored query reformulation model, allowing customers to interact with a generic query interface without specific knowledge of the underlying industrial system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a generic query interface (e.g., SPARQL endpoint) is exposed directly to end users, then the interface offers high versatility and access to the data model, but users require intimate knowledge of the data model to formulate queries effectively
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a customer-specific query interface that acts as an intermediary layer between the end user and the generic SPARQL endpoint. This intermediary translates user-friendly queries into SPARQL queries using a query reformulation model, allowing users to access the versatile generic interface without needing to know its complex data model. The reformulation model maps customer-specific terms to data model elements, enabling effective query formulation without intimate knowledge of the underlying structure.
2Ease of operation
If different customer-specific interface layers are created to simplify user interaction, then user accessibility improves, but development effort increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a universal query reformulation model that can handle multiple customer-specific interfaces through a single generic SPARQL endpoint. Instead of creating separate interface layers for each customer, the system uses a configurable reformulation model that adapts to different customer needs while reusing the same underlying infrastructure. This multi-functional approach reduces development effort by eliminating redundant interface implementations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows customization of the query reformulation model through parameter changes rather than structural modifications. By configuring the reformulation model with customer-specific mappings and settings, the system adapts to different customers without requiring new interface layers. This parameter-based customization reduces development effort while maintaining user accessibility.
3Ease of manufacture
If customers use a generic query interface without customer-specific adaptation, then development effort is reduced, but users cannot effectively retrieve information without knowing the data model
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring the query reformulation model with mappings between customer-specific terms and data model elements. Before users formulate queries, the system has already prepared the translation rules and relationships in the reformulation model. This preliminary configuration enables users to effectively retrieve information using familiar terms without needing to understand the underlying data model, while keeping implementation effort low through reuse of the generic interface.
Data Source
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AI summary
A query processing system for providing a generic query interface for industrial systems of different customers, wherein the query processing system (1) comprises - an application query interface, AQI, (2) adapted to input customer queries, Q, of customer industrial systems; - a query processing unit (4) which is configured to perform automatically a query decomposition of the input customer query, Q, into query parts, QPs, based on a query reformulation model, QRM, stored in a database (5) of the query processing system (1), wherein for each decomposed query part, QP, it is determined by the query processing unit (4) whether the decomposed query part is available in an application semantic model, ASM, stored in the database (6) of the query processing system (1), wherein the query processing unit (4) is further configured to reformulate automatically query parts not available in the application semantic model, ASM, based on the query reformulation model, QRM, and to perform automatically a query recomposition of the query parts available in the application semantic model, ASM, and the reformulated semantic query parts to generate a generic query, gQ, applied to an application logic (3) of said query processing system (1) to provide a query result, QR, output by the application query interface, AQI (2).