Mobile Relational Data Search via Metadata API
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional mobile communications devices face challenges in efficiently searching and retrieving relational data due to the need for multiple clicks and potential errors in manual entry, often lacking the capability to properly construct search queries for remote databases, which hinders users like salespersons from accessing critical information in a timely and effective manner.
Innovation Solution
A system and method that enables advanced searches of relational data on mobile communications devices by allowing users to define custom views with filters, utilizing a metadata API to dynamically generate search criteria, enabling users to perform searches with minimal inputs and save queries for quick retrieval.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If users manually construct search queries on mobile devices, then search capability is achieved, but time consumption and error rate increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-loads and caches metadata about database tables, columns, and relationships onto the mobile device. This preliminary action enables the device to construct search queries locally without requiring real-time server communication, thereby reducing search time while maintaining accuracy through proper query construction.
Solution Approach 2:
A metadata caching layer acts as an intermediary between the mobile device and the remote database server. This intermediary stores essential schema information locally, enabling the device to autonomously construct valid search queries without direct server interaction, thus reducing time consumption while preserving search accuracy.
2Ease of operation
If mobile devices access remote databases directly, then data accessibility is improved, but query construction capability is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary retrieval of database metadata (table structures, column names, data types, relationships) and caches it locally on the mobile device. This enables the device to understand and construct appropriate search queries for remote databases without requiring continuous server connection or complex user input, improving both accessibility and query construction capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile device is empowered to autonomously construct search queries using the cached metadata. Instead of relying on the server to interpret user intent or provide query building assistance, the device uses its local metadata cache to automatically generate proper SQL queries based on user search criteria, enhancing both ease of operation and adaptability.
3Measurement precision
If multiple clicks are required for proper query construction, then search accuracy is improved, but user effort and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile device automatically constructs search queries using cached metadata and user input parameters. The system self-generates the proper SQL query syntax, joins, and filters based on the user's search criteria and the pre-loaded schema information, eliminating the need for multiple manual clicks while maintaining search precision.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical process of clicking through multiple screens and forms to construct queries is replaced by an automated computational process. The system uses the cached metadata to programmatically generate search queries based on user input, substituting manual interaction with automated query construction that maintains precision while simplifying operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A system, method and apparatus for providing for searching of relational data via a mobile communications device are provided. Information identifying searchable tables containing fields is received using a metadata application program interface (API). The metadata API provides information about a schema of the fields and a relationship of at least one of the fields to its corresponding object. Information for generating a view of relational data is provided to the mobile communications device. The view is based on at least one of the fields of at least one of the searchable tables, and the relationship between the at least one of the fields and its corresponding object. A set of user inputs is received based on the relationship presented in the view. A query definition corresponding to the set of user inputs for searching the relational data in accordance with the set of user inputs is created and stored.