Homogeneous Indexing for Heterogeneous Annotation Data
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing annotation systems face challenges in indexing and searching heterogeneous data objects, as they require different identifying parameters and indexes, which conflicts with conventional database indexing that demands homogeneous content and attribute counts.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that create a homogeneous index for heterogeneous data objects by using mapping functions to convert identifying parameters into index values, allowing for flexible indexing and searching across different types of data objects using a single index table.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If different types of data objects are indexed using their native identifying parameters, then each data object can be accurately identified and located, but the index structure becomes heterogeneous and cannot be efficiently queried using conventional database indexing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mapping table as an intermediary component that translates heterogeneous identifying parameters from different data object types into a unified homogeneous index format. This mapping table acts as a mediator between the diverse native indexes of different data objects and the conventional homogeneous database index structure, enabling both accurate identification and efficient querying without modifying the underlying data objects or their native indexing mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms the identifying parameters of different data object types into a standardized set of homogeneous parameters through the mapping table. By changing the parameter representation from heterogeneous native parameters to homogeneous mapped parameters, the system enables conventional database indexing techniques to work uniformly across all data object types, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and structural complexity.
2Productivity
If a homogeneous index structure is used for all data objects, then efficient database indexing and querying can be applied, but the system cannot accommodate different identifying parameters required by various data object types
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal index structure that can handle multiple data object types by using a mapping table to translate their specific identifying parameters into a common homogeneous format. This universal index structure serves all data object types through a single unified mechanism, enabling efficient database indexing while maintaining support for heterogeneous data types without requiring separate indexing schemes for each type.
Solution Approach 2:
The mapping table serves as an intermediary that enables the homogeneous index structure to accommodate heterogeneous data object types. It translates the diverse parameter requirements of different data types into the standardized homogeneous format required by the universal index structure, thus maintaining both efficiency and adaptability simultaneously.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the index table structure is redesigned to accommodate new data object types, then accurate indexing can be achieved, but system complexity increases and existing indexing capabilities are lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the indexing system into two independent parts: the existing homogeneous index table structure and the new mapping table. The mapping table handles the adaptation to new data object types, while the original index table structure remains unchanged and continues to provide efficient indexing capabilities. This segmentation allows the system to accommodate new data types without redesigning the core indexing infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The mapping table acts as an intermediary layer that absorbs the complexity of accommodating new data object types. By placing the adaptation logic in this separate mapping layer rather than modifying the core index table structure, the system maintains its existing efficient indexing capabilities while gaining the ability to support new data classifications.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and articles of manufacture for indexing annotations made for a variety of different type (i.e., heterogeneous) data objects are provided. A set of parameters uniquely identifying an annotated data object may be converted to an index comprising a set of index values, each corresponding to a column in a homogeneous index table. In order to accommodate the indexing of heterogeneous data objects, a mapping may be provided for each different type (or classification) of data object that may be annotated, that defines how the identifying parameters of that type will be mapped to the columns of the homogeneous index table.