Master Record Selection via Rule-Based Tiebreaker Logic
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing database systems face inefficiencies in selecting a master record from duplicate records, as current methods either rely on prioritizing input sources or simply choosing the first record, which do not adequately address user needs for data consolidation.
Innovation Solution
A process is implemented where rules are defined to evaluate and select the 'best' record based on specific criteria such as newest, source priority, or longest value, and a tiebreaker mechanism is used to determine the master record, ensuring the most appropriate record is chosen for consolidation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If priority rules for input sources are configured to select a master record, then the selection process becomes more structured, but the system complexity increases due to chaining multiple priority fields
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the master record selection process into distinct evaluation stages: first evaluating source priority, then applying tiebreaker rules when priorities are equal. This segmentation allows the system to handle complexity in a structured, step-by-step manner rather than requiring all priority fields to be chained together simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces tiebreaker rules as an intermediary mechanism that mediates between duplicate records with equal source priority. This intermediary layer resolves conflicts without requiring direct comparison of all priority fields, simplifying the overall selection process while maintaining reliability.
2Productivity
If the first record of each group of duplicate records is simply chosen as the master record, then the selection process is simple and fast, but the selected record may not be the most appropriate based on user needs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary evaluation of records based on source priority and tiebreaker rules before final selection. This preliminary action ensures that the most appropriate record is identified ahead of time, maintaining selection speed while improving appropriateness by systematically evaluating criteria before making the final choice.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the selection parameter from a simple positional criterion (first record) to a multi-parameter evaluation system involving source priority and tiebreaker rules. This parameter change allows the system to maintain efficiency while selecting records that better meet user needs based on data quality and source reliability.
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes identification of a group of records of a plurality of records of a database table associated with a plurality of columns, each of the plurality of records including zero or one value for each column, determination of a plurality of rules, each rule associated with one or more of the plurality of columns and for determining a record from which to select values for the associated one or more columns, evaluation of each of the plurality of rules to determine, for each rule, a record of the group of records, and determination of a first record of the group of records based on the record determined for each rule.