Report Layout Reference Processing via XML

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current programming languages lack built-in support for overrides and circular inclusion avoidance, making it time-consuming to replicate report objects and process reports with nested references, especially in C++ where referencing external components is common.

Innovation Solution

A system and method for processing report layout references using XML specifications, incorporating a report object model builder, destination repository, report fetcher, specification repository, and content manager to detect and resolve circular dependencies, allowing for reference overrides and efficient reuse of report components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If report objects are copied into new reports, then report components can be reused, but time consumption increases significantly for mandatory report portions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereport component reuseVSAvoidtime consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a reference-based copying mechanism where report objects are not physically copied but referenced through XML specifications. The system stores references to original report objects and resolves them during report generation, enabling efficient reuse without time-consuming manual replication while maintaining the ability to override specific portions when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Adaptability or versatility

If external components are referenced in programming languages, then code reuse is enabled, but circular inclusion and override support are lacking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecode reuseVSAvoidcircular inclusion avoidance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism through XML specification processing that tracks referenced report objects and detects circular references. The system maintains a reference graph and performs cycle detection during report assembly, providing reliable circular inclusion avoidance while preserving code reuse capabilities through structured reference resolution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If report layouts use nested references, then processing complexity increases, but component flexibility and reuse improve

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent flexibilityVSAvoidprocessing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the report layout processing into distinct phases: XML specification parsing, reference graph construction, cycle detection, and report assembly. This segmentation manages processing complexity by breaking down nested reference resolution into manageable steps while maintaining component flexibility through the structured reference model that allows arbitrary nesting depths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS7698629B2Report layout reference processing

Publication Date: 2010.04.13 X CORP

AI summary

A report layout reference mechanism for processing report layout references in a report is provided. The report layout reference mechanism comprises a report object model builder for generating a report object model of a report, a destination repository for storing the location of referenced objects, a report fetcher for obtaining reports having the referenced object, a specification repository for storing report specifications having the referenced object, and a content manager. The mechanism detects a layout component reference in a report fetching the component associated with the layout component reference, and adds the component to a complete report specification of the report.