Search Broker for Heterogeneous Database Translation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In the field of job recruitment, searching for candidates across multiple heterogeneous databases is cumbersome due to proprietary systems and lack of standardization, requiring multiple searches through different interfaces and lacking a standardized protocol for transactions between employers and recruitment agencies.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that facilitate searching across multiple heterogeneous databases by receiving configuration data, processing search requests, and generating compatible search commands, allowing for unified searching across diverse databases with anonymity preservation and flexible data handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple proprietary databases are searched using their respective interfaces, then comprehensive candidate search coverage is achieved, but searching complexity and time consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a search broker as an intermediary component that receives search requests from client terminals and translates them into database-specific search commands. This broker acts as a mediator between the standardized client interface and multiple heterogeneous databases, eliminating the need for clients to interact with each database's proprietary interface directly. The broker handles the complexity of interfacing with multiple databases while presenting a unified, simplified interface to clients.
Solution Approach 2:
The search broker is designed with multi-functional capabilities to handle various database types and search protocols. It can process different search commands, translate between multiple data formats (XML, HTML, plain text), and interface with diverse database systems through a single unified component. This universal design allows one system to perform multiple functions that would otherwise require separate specialized tools.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple proprietary databases are searched using their respective interfaces, then comprehensive candidate search coverage is achieved, but the time required for conducting searches increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-configuring translation rules and search command mappings for multiple databases. The search broker is pre-loaded with knowledge of how to translate standardized search requests into database-specific commands for each connected database. This preliminary preparation eliminates the need for real-time translation during actual searches, significantly reducing search execution time.
Solution Approach 2:
The search broker intermediary parallelizes the search process by simultaneously translating and sending search commands to multiple databases concurrently, rather than sequentially. This mediation capability allows the system to maintain comprehensive search coverage while reducing total search time through parallel processing.
3Productivity
If direct links are provided between client terminals and databases, then access efficiency is improved, but candidate anonymity and data security are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The search broker serves as a confidential intermediary that masks the direct relationship between clients and databases. It receives search requests from clients, translates them appropriately, and retrieves results without revealing the identity or intentions of the client to the database operators. This intermediary layer maintains access efficiency while protecting candidate anonymity by decoupling the client and database entities.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates standardized copy representations of search requests that strip away client-specific identifying information before transmitting them to databases. Instead of forwarding raw client requests that may contain identifying details, the broker generates standardized search command copies that contain only the necessary search criteria, thereby maintaining access efficiency while protecting anonymity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If heterogeneous database formats are maintained, then data provider control and proprietary rights are preserved, but standardization and ease of operation are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The search broker dynamically changes parameters including data formats and communication protocols based on the target database. It automatically selects and applies the appropriate translation rules for each database type, converting between XML, HTML, plain text, and other formats as needed. This parameter adaptation allows databases to maintain their proprietary formats while the system achieves standardized operation through automatic format transformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The search broker is designed with universal functionality to handle multiple database formats and protocols through a single interface. It provides ease of operation by presenting a standardized search mechanism to clients while internally managing the complexity of interfacing with heterogeneous databases in their native formats, thus preserving both data provider autonomy and user-friendly operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of searching data on heterogeneous databases connected over a network. Configuration data representing the configuration of each database is received. The configuration data includes mapping data associating search terms to data field names in each database. A search request specifying criteria for a search term for data is received from a client. The mapping data is processed to select a data field name in a database, the data field name corresponding to the search term specified in the search request. A search command is generated which is compatible with the database using the data field name. The search command is transmitted to a data provider system associated with the database. Search results are received from the data provider system, which results from the execution of the search command on the database. The search results are processed to generate search report data, and are transmitted to the client terminal.