Hierarchical Search Template for Multi-Database Data Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Industrial software applications face challenges in efficiently integrating data from multiple databases, requiring numerous queries and manual processes to retrieve relevant data for analysis, which is time-consuming and inefficient.

Innovation Solution

A data integration system that allows users to interactively query a time series database, an asset relational database, and an event database through a graphical user interface, using a hierarchical search template (shape tree) to retrieve and generate reports, enabling quick data integration and export in formats like XML or JSON.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If data is retrieved from multiple databases using traditional methods, then data can be obtained from various sources, but the process requires numerous individual queries and manual scripts which is time-consuming and inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata retrieval efficiencyVSAvoidtime for data collection

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple database queries and data retrieval operations into a single unified query interface. The system merges data from time series databases, asset relational databases, and event databases through one integrated query mechanism, eliminating the need for numerous separate queries and manual scripting operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal query interface that can retrieve data from multiple different database types and sources through a single system. This multi-functional interface handles time series data, asset data, and event data uniformly, allowing one query to access diverse data sources that previously required separate retrieval methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple individual queries are used to retrieve data from multiple sources, then comprehensive data can be collected, but the complexity of specifying query parameters and managing multiple queries increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata source coverageVSAvoidquery management complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal query interface that maintains adaptability to retrieve from diverse data sources (time series, asset, event databases) while reducing complexity. This single interface handles multiple database types uniformly, eliminating the need to manage separate queries with different parameter specifications for each data source.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary query processing layer that sits between the user and multiple databases. This mediator translates a single unified query into the appropriate operations across different database sources, shielding users from the complexity of individual query requirements while maintaining comprehensive data access capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If data integration is performed manually through scripts, then data can be retrieved from multiple sources, but the process is time-consuming and requires significant manual effort

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata integration speedVSAvoidmanual processing time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple manual data retrieval operations into a single automated query execution. Instead of running separate scripts for each database source, the system combines all data retrieval into one unified operation that automatically accesses time series, asset, and event databases simultaneously or sequentially in an optimized manner.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual script-based data retrieval with an automated query system. The mechanical process of writing and executing separate scripts for each data source is substituted with an automated interface that handles all data retrieval operations programmatically, eliminating manual effort and significantly reducing processing time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS10198159B2Multi-context sensor data collection, integration, and presentation

Publication Date: 2019.02.05 OSLSOFT LLC

AI summary

A data integration system accesses a time series database and an asset relational database. The asset relational database is comprised of a plurality of asset nodes related in a hierarchical structure. Each asset node may represent a physical asset in an industrial setting. The data integration system displays a graphical representation of the hierarchical structure of the asset relational database, receives user input selecting an asset node from the hierarchical structure, and displays a hierarchical search template based on the selected asset node. The data integration system searches the asset relational database for matching asset nodes and retrieves corresponding time series data from the time series database. The data integration system generates a report from the retrieved data.