Semantic Net Database Interface for Spreadsheet Data Transfer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional database management systems and spreadsheet applications require in-depth knowledge of SQL and internal database structures, making it difficult for users to transfer data between databases and spreadsheets, especially when integrating data from multiple sources.
Innovation Solution
A database management system with a semantic net infrastructure that transforms database structures into a semantic net, allowing users to define views without programming skills, enabling seamless data transfer and interoperability between database and spreadsheet layers using a clipboard-based interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional database management systems are used, then data can be stored and managed in structured tables, but users require in-depth knowledge of SQL and internal database structures to transfer data to spreadsheets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a clipboard as an intermediary component between the database layer and spreadsheet layer. The clipboard serves as a buffer that automatically captures data from the database and makes it available to spreadsheet applications without requiring users to write SQL queries or understand database internal structures, thus resolving the contradiction between reliable data management and ease of operation
Solution Approach 2:
The system is divided into distinct layers: a database layer for data storage and management, a clipboard layer for automatic data transfer, and a spreadsheet layer for data representation. This segmentation allows each layer to operate independently with well-defined interfaces, enabling users to access spreadsheet data without needing to understand the complex database layer, thereby improving ease of operation while maintaining data management reliability
2Productivity
If hard-coded programs are used to create spreadsheets from database views, then data transfer can be automated, but the system complexity increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The clipboard automatically performs data capture and transfer operations without requiring users to write or configure complex programs. The system serves itself by automatically monitoring the database, capturing relevant data, and making it available to spreadsheet applications, thus achieving productivity improvement without increasing system complexity
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of creating complex hard-coded programs for each data transfer scenario, the system uses simple copying mechanisms where data is automatically copied from the database to the clipboard and then to the spreadsheet. This copying approach achieves automation while keeping the system simple and easy to understand
3Adaptability or versatility
If views are defined to integrate data from different databases, then comprehensive data representation is achieved, but the complexity of creating and maintaining views increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clipboard is designed as a universal intermediary that can handle data from multiple different database sources and transfer them to spreadsheet applications using a single, unified mechanism. This multi-functional clipboard eliminates the need to create separate complex views for each data integration scenario, achieving adaptability while reducing view creation complexity
Data Source
AI summary
Database management systems and methods for managing a database are disclosed. In one embodiment, a database management system is provided that comprises a database layer including a database for storing data, and a spreadsheet layer for representing data from the database layer in a spreadsheet in accordance with a view, wherein the view causes at least one of a delivery of data to the spreadsheet layer from the database layer and a maintenance of data from the spreadsheet layer to the database layer. The system may further comprise an interface layer arranged to interface the database layer with the spreadsheet layer, wherein the database layer stores in the database data corresponding to a plurality of entities of a plurality of entity types in a plurality of tables, respectively, wherein the plurality of entities are linked by a plurality of relations in a predetermined structure, and further wherein the interface layer comprises a semantic net server for transforming the structure of the data in the database layer into a semantic net and the view is defined in terms of the semantic net to facilitate an interoperability between the database layer and the spreadsheet layer.