Report Metadata Export to Non-Report Documents

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies are limited in their ability to export entire reports with metadata into non-report electronic documents while maintaining refresh capabilities and compatibility with applications like Microsoft Word and Excel.

Innovation Solution

A computer-readable medium with executable instructions to create and export reports with metadata, including a report identifier and parameter information, and to analyze metadata for refreshing the report within a non-report document, ensuring compatibility and refresh functionality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If report documents are exported to non-report electronic documents, then compatibility with applications like Word and Excel is improved, but the ability to perform refresh operations is lost

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompatibility with applicationsVSAvoidrefresh capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces metadata as an intermediary element that bridges report documents and non-report electronic documents. This metadata contains report identifier and parameter information that enables the non-report document to maintain refresh functionality while being compatible with standard applications like Word and Excel. The metadata acts as a mediator that preserves the connection to the original data source without requiring the document to remain in report format.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Device complexity

If only portions of reports are exported, then the complexity of managing large reports is reduced, but the functionality to export entire reports is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereport management complexityVSAvoidexport functionality
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal export mechanism that can handle both portions of reports and entire reports through the same metadata structure. The metadata contains report identifier and parameter information that works regardless of whether the export includes the whole report or just selected portions. This multi-functional approach allows users to export at any granularity level while maintaining consistent refresh capabilities through the metadata.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If metadata is added to enable refresh operations, then the refresh functionality is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverefresh functionalityVSAvoidmetadata structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the metadata into distinct, manageable components: report identifier and parameter information. This segmentation allows each metadata element to serve a specific function while keeping the overall structure simple and organized. The report identifier links to the original report, while parameter information stores the necessary refresh parameters, dividing the complexity into manageable segments that are easier to implement and maintain.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS8527540B2Augmenting a report with metadata for export to a non-report document
Publication Date: 2013.09.03 SAP IRELAND LTD
  • US8527540B2 patent drawing
  • US8527540B2 patent drawing
  • US8527540B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A computer readable medium includes executable instructions to create a report; augment the report with metadata including a report identifier and parameter information; and export the report and metadata to a non-report electronic document.