Temporal Data Access Layer for Financial Software
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing financial software systems face complexity and increased development costs due to the need for detailed knowledge of data structures and temporal information storage, as they often overwrite temporal data and require multiple data source accesses to retrieve time histories effectively.
Innovation Solution
A computer system generates multiple queries to access and combine temporal and time-invariant data from various data sources, including relational databases and files, to determine a time history for financial information, allowing for transparent access without requiring knowledge of data source implementation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If temporal information is stored in multiple fields or multiple data structures, then temporal information is preserved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a temporal information management layer that acts as an intermediary between the application and the underlying data structures. This layer automatically handles temporal data retrieval by generating and executing multiple queries against different data sources, combining results to reconstruct complete time histories. The application developer interacts only with this simplified interface, which transparently manages the complexity of accessing temporal information across multiple fields and data structures.
2Loss of information
If applications perform multiple accesses to retrieve temporal information, then complete time history is obtained, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-organizing temporal data across multiple data structures with different time resolutions (e.g., daily, monthly, yearly aggregates). When an application requests temporal information, the management layer has already prepared the data in a format that enables efficient retrieval through coordinated queries. This preliminary organization allows the system to fetch complete time histories faster than sequential access would permit.
3Loss of information
If application developer requires detailed knowledge of data structure implementation, then temporal information can be accessed, but ease of operation decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates an abstraction layer that shields application developers from the complexity of temporal data storage implementation. The temporal information management layer provides a unified interface for accessing time histories, automatically handling the generation and execution of multiple queries against underlying data structures. Developers need only specify the temporal information needed without knowing how it is distributed across multiple fields, data structures, or data sources, significantly improving ease of operation.
4Loss of information
If multiple data sources are used to store temporal information, then information is preserved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The temporal information management layer serves multiple functions simultaneously: it manages data retrieval from multiple sources, combines results from different time resolutions, handles data transformation, and provides a unified access interface. This multi-functional approach consolidates the complexity of managing multiple data sources into a single universal layer, allowing the system to preserve temporal information across diverse storage mechanisms while presenting a simplified interface to applications.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of a computer system that determines a time history are described. During operation, the computer system receives a single command which accesses information associated with the time history, wherein the command is received from a user, and the information is to be used by financial software. Then, the computer system generates multiple queries corresponding to the time history, where the multiple queries access multiple data sources. Next, the computer system executes the multiple queries to obtain the time history.