Metadata Catalogue for Distributed Data Collection and Caching
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The rapid growth of data collection, retrieval, and distribution exceeds the capabilities of existing systems, particularly in environments with unreliable communications, low-bandwidth connections, and ad-hoc network topologies, making it challenging to ensure timely access and distribution of data to the right entities.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that utilize a data collector to tag collected data with metadata, forming a metadata catalogue for efficient search and location, and employing a configurable distributed data collection and caching structure with multiple nodes for efficient data distribution and caching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If data is collected from multiple sources and distributed to numerous clients, then data availability and accessibility are improved, but network bandwidth consumption and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the necessary metadata information from the data streams and publishes this to a metadata exchange, allowing clients to discover and access only the specific data they need without receiving the entire data stream. This extraction of essential information enables efficient data distribution while reducing overall network bandwidth consumption.
Solution Approach 2:
The metadata exchange acts as an intermediary between data sources and clients. Instead of direct data streaming to all clients, the system publishes metadata through this intermediary component, which then facilitates efficient data discovery and selective access, reducing the complexity of direct many-to-many data distribution connections.
2Loss of time
If real-time data distribution is implemented, then data timeliness is improved, but network reliability requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by publishing metadata information in advance before actual data transfer is needed. This allows clients to prepare for data access, understand what data is available, and establish connections efficiently when needed, reducing real-time network demands and improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The metadata exchange dynamically adapts to changing network conditions and data requirements. The system can adjust data distribution based on real-time metadata changes, network availability, and client needs, making the system more resilient to reliability issues while maintaining data timeliness.
3Productivity
If distributed data collection nodes are deployed, then data collection capability is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each data collection node is designed as a universal component that can collect data from multiple sources, publish metadata to the metadata exchange, and serve multiple clients. This multi-functional design simplifies the overall system architecture by using standardized nodes rather than specialized components for different collection scenarios.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the data collection function with metadata publication functionality into a unified approach. By combining these operations and using a centralized metadata exchange, the system reduces the complexity that would otherwise arise from separate collection and metadata management systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A system may include a data collector to collect data from at least one data source and to tag each group of collected data with a metadata tag. The metadata tag may include information about the collected data. The system may also include a metadata catalogue for containing a plurality of metadata tags and to allow a search for existence and a location on a network of any data corresponding to the search.