Structured Information Units for Multi-Lingual Data Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional information management systems face challenges in maintaining the reliability, consistency, and timeliness of information across multiple languages and versions, leading to inconsistencies and increased complexity due to the lack of integrated end-to-end documentation management.

Innovation Solution

A unified system for structured collection, management, and publication of information using Standard Generalized Markup Language (SGML) and eXtensible Markup Language (XML) technologies, which enables the storage of self-contained information units in a single source, facilitating multi-lingual output and automation of translation and formatting, while maintaining accurate context and relationships.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If traditional version controlled document management is used, then information can be stored and managed, but the system complexity increases and consistency across multiple versions deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinformation consistencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments information into discrete, structured units with standardized schemas rather than managing monolithic documents. This segmentation allows consistent retrieval and presentation of information across different versions and languages without managing complex document hierarchies, directly resolving the contradiction between reliability and complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal information retrieval system that serves multiple functions (translation, localization, version management) through a single structured data model. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate version control mechanisms for each language or format, reducing system complexity while maintaining information consistency.

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

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple instances of the same data are stored for different languages and versions, then flexibility is improved, but redundancy and inconsistency increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulti-lingual capabilityVSAvoidinformation redundancy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of storing multiple instances of the same data for different languages and versions, the patent uses structured information units that can be instantiated multiple times through standardized schemas. This allows flexible multi-lingual capability while avoiding redundancy, as the same structured unit can be retrieved and presented in different languages without duplicating the underlying data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Quantity of substance

If context and usage details are not stored with data, then storage efficiency is improved, but ambiguity and inconsistency in usage increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata storage efficiencyVSAvoidusage consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by attaching specific metadata and usage details to individual structured information units rather than storing everything globally. This allows efficient storage while maintaining the necessary context and usage information at the appropriate granularity level, preventing ambiguity and ensuring consistent usage across the system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS7725499B1Semantic architecture for managing information through structured storage and retrieval
Publication Date: 2010.05.25 STAR AG
  • US7725499B1 patent drawing
  • US7725499B1 patent drawing
  • US7725499B1 patent drawing

AI summary

A unified system for the structured collection, management, translation, and publication of multi-lingual information that is based on industry standards for information structures. Self-contained information units are stored in a single source and mapped onto a multiple dimensional data matrix in which the axes represent information types, objects, variants, and language. Linking through the matrix to a unique storage location for information facilities data entry, editing, access control, quality control, and automated publication of stored information.