Tree Structure Data Filtering with Automatic Propagation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing data filtering mechanisms struggle with efficiently filtering and propagating data organized in tree structures, particularly due to limitations in accessing multiple levels and the inefficiency of recursive methods, which can lead to slow performance and limited data delivery.

Innovation Solution

An extensible data filtering model that allows filtering at any level of a tree structure with automatic propagation, using a communication server and database to write and provide up-to-date information, enabling multi-level node filtering and information sharing across applications and devices without administrator intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If database triggers are used to filter tree structure data, then data filtering capability is provided, but system performance becomes very slow and inefficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata filtering capabilityVSAvoidsystem performance
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the filtering operation from the database trigger mechanism by introducing a separate filtering layer that operates on retrieved data. Instead of using database triggers to perform filtering operations, the system retrieves data using standard SQL queries and applies filtering in the application layer, thereby separating the data retrieval function from the data filtering function and improving overall system performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary filtering component that sits between the database and the application. This intermediary layer receives data from the database, applies filtering criteria, and returns filtered results to the application. This mediator approach eliminates the need for complex database triggers while maintaining filtering capability, thus resolving the performance issue.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If ArrayCollection with recursion is used to traverse tree data, then multi-level data access is enabled, but speed and efficiency are grossly reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemulti-level data accessVSAvoidtraversal speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing the filtered result set using SQL queries before passing data to the ArrayCollection. The filtering criteria are applied in advance during data retrieval, so that when the ArrayCollection traverses the data, the filtering work has already been completed, eliminating the need for recursive filtering during traversal and significantly improving speed.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical recursive traversal approach with a more efficient SQL-based retrieval mechanism. Instead of using ArrayCollection recursion to filter and traverse tree data, the system uses SQL queries with JOIN operations to retrieve only the necessary data at the required levels, substituting the inefficient mechanical recursion with a optimized database query approach.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If filters are limited to certain levels of tree structure, then simple filtering is achieved, but multi-level data delivery required by applications is prevented

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiltering simplicityVSAvoidmulti-level data delivery
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a universal filtering mechanism that can operate at any level of the tree structure. The filtering system is designed to be multi-functional, allowing users to specify filtering criteria that apply to root nodes, intermediate nodes, or leaf nodes. This universal approach enables both simple single-level filtering and complex multi-level data delivery, making the system adaptable to various application requirements without sacrificing simplicity.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds another dimension to filtering by introducing hierarchical level specification in the filtering criteria. Instead of limiting filters to a single level, the system allows filtering criteria to specify multiple hierarchical levels using SQL JOIN operations. This dimensional extension enables the filter to operate across any number of tree levels while maintaining a consistent filtering interface, thus achieving both simplicity and multi-level capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS10261997B2Method, apparatus, and system for providing and using subscriptions and filtering based on tree structures
Publication Date: 2019.04.16 PULSELINK SYSTEMS LLC
  • US10261997B2 patent drawing
  • US10261997B2 patent drawing
  • US10261997B2 patent drawing

AI summary

Methods and systems are provided such that users, servers, and applications may utilize an extensible data filtering model where data is organized into a tree with filtering available at any node level. Accordingly, the node filtering and propagation method and system allows for the efficient management and automatic replication of common information for multiple applications at all data levels.