Schema Embedding for XML Mapping Invertibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for mapping XML source documents to target documents, such as those defined in XQuery or XSLT, face challenges in ensuring type-safety and information preservation, particularly in maintaining invertibility and query preservation, which are crucial for effective data exchange and integration.
Innovation Solution
The approach employs schema embeddings, where edges in the source schema are mapped to paths in the target schema, using local embeddings and heuristic algorithms to ensure invertibility and query preservation, and type safety, while also accommodating different structural DTDs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If XML mappings are defined in XQuery or XSLT, then mapping functionality is achieved, but type-safety verification becomes difficult and information preservation is not guaranteed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces schema embeddings as an intermediary representation between source and target XML schemas. Instead of directly using complex XQuery or XSLT mappings, the invention creates a structured embedding model that captures the mapping relationships in a simplified form, making type-safety verification and information preservation guarantees achievable while reducing overall system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the XML mapping problem into discrete embedding rules that map source schema elements to target schema elements systematically. By breaking down the complex mapping task into manageable embedding units with defined properties, the invention enables automated verification of type-safety and information preservation without requiring complex manual mapping definitions
2Manufacturing precision
If complex mapping queries are used to ensure type-safety and information preservation, then mapping accuracy improves, but computational efficiency and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the fundamental parameters of XML mapping by transitioning from query-based mappings (XQuery/XSLT) to embedding-based mappings. This parameter change transforms the mapping representation into a structured format with explicit source-target element correspondences, enabling both high mapping accuracy through systematic embedding rules and operational simplicity through automated processing
3Reliability
If traditional XML mapping techniques are used, then mapping functionality is provided, but invertibility and query preservation cannot be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms through structured embedding rules that explicitly track source-to-target element correspondences. This feedback structure enables verification of invertibility by checking whether target elements can be traced back to source elements, and ensures query preservation by maintaining the semantic relationships needed for query answering, all while managing verification complexity through systematic rule-based approaches
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and apparatus are provided for mapping XML source documents to target documents using schema embeddings. According to one aspect of the invention, one or more edges in the one or more source schemas are mapped to one or more paths in at least one target schema. The disclosed mapping techniques ensure that (i) one or more source documents that conform to one or more of the source schemas can be recovered from one or more target documents that conform to the at least one target schema, if a mapping exists between the one or more of the source schemas and the at least one target schema; (ii) queries on one or more source documents that conform to one or more of the source schemas in a given query language can be answered on one or more target documents that conform to the at least one target schema; and (iii) the one or more target documents conform to a target schema.