Metadata Behavior Tags for Flexible Data Aggregation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing data exchange systems require modifications to both sending and receiving programs, as well as existing documents, to incorporate new meta-data labels, making it cumbersome to describe new data or add additional descriptions to existing data.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method that uses meta-data behavior tags with associated policies to aggregate and describe data behaviors, allowing changes in data aggregation and display without modifying the sending program or documents, by configuring policies for receiving programs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If new meta-data labels are added to describe new data or add additional descriptions to existing data, then the data description capability is improved, but the complexity of modifying existing documents and programs increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata description capabilityVSAvoidmodification complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the meta-data system into two independent parts: (1) the data exchange documents with their existing structure, and (2) the receiving program with configurable meta-data labels. This allows new data descriptions to be added by configuring the receiving program without modifying the sending program or existing documents, thus resolving the contradiction between adaptability and modification complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic configurability to the receiving program, allowing meta-data labels to be configured, added, or modified at runtime without requiring changes to the document structure or sending program. This dynamic approach enables the system to adapt to new data description needs while maintaining the stability of existing documents and programs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If the sending program is modified to include new meta-data labels, then the data description capability is improved, but the ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata description capabilityVSAvoidoperational simplicity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of modifying the sending program to include new meta-data labels (traditional approach), the patent inverts the approach by having the receiving program configure and interpret the meta-data labels. This inversion eliminates the need to modify the sending program, thereby maintaining operational simplicity while still enabling enhanced data description capabilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a configurable meta-data layer in the receiving program that acts as an intermediary between the existing data exchange documents and the new data description requirements. This intermediary layer allows the system to support enhanced data descriptions without requiring modifications to the sending program or existing documents, thus preserving ease of operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the receiving program is updated to interpret and handle new meta-data labels, then the data description capability is improved, but the loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata description capabilityVSAvoidupdate time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary action by allowing the receiving program to be pre-configured with meta-data labels and their interpretations before actual data exchange occurs. This pre-configuration approach enables the system to handle new data descriptions without requiring time-consuming updates during operation, thus reducing the loss of time while maintaining adaptability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS7668857B2Meta-data tags used to describe data behaviors

Publication Date: 2010.02.23 X CORP

AI summary

A computer implemented method, apparatus, and computer usable program code to aggregate data. Data is parsed for a behavior tag assigned to a portion of the data. In response to detecting a behavior tag, a determination is made as to whether a policy is associated with the behavior tag. The policy associated with a behavior tag defines how the portion of the data assigned to the behavior tag is to be aggregated. The portion of the data is aggregated using the policy associated with the behavior tag.