Unified Content Aggregation System for Disparate Data Sources

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face cumbersome access to content from disparate sources due to the need to access various data types on specific devices and applications without a single point of access, limiting flexibility in content rendering.

Innovation Solution

A consolidated content management system that aggregates disparate data types from multiple sources, synthesizes them into a uniform format, and delivers them to any rendering device, allowing for single-point access and flexible rendering.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If users access content from disparate data sources using data type-specific devices and applications, then content can be retrieved from multiple sources, but the access process becomes cumbersome and complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontent access capabilityVSAvoidaccess process

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a content management server as an intermediary between users and disparate data sources. This server aggregates content from multiple sources and provides a unified interface for access, eliminating the need for users to directly interact with multiple data type-specific systems. The server acts as a mediator that handles the complexity of content retrieval while presenting a simplified access mechanism to users.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The content management server provides universal access to content from various data sources through a single interface. Instead of requiring separate applications for different data types, the server offers a multi-functional platform that can retrieve, aggregate, and deliver content from diverse sources through unified access points, thereby simplifying the user interaction model.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If content is accessed individually from various data sources without consolidation, then data sources remain independent, but users lack a single point of access and flexibility in rendering

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverendering flexibilityVSAvoidsystem architecture

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple disparate data sources and their content into a unified management system. The content management server consolidates access to content from various sources, allowing users to retrieve and render content through a single point of access. This merging approach maintains the independence of individual data sources while providing unified access and rendering flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of operation

If users must use data type-specific applications for each content type, then content can be accessed from its source, but device flexibility and user choice are limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice flexibilityVSAvoidapplication requirements

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The content management server serves as an intermediary that decouples users from data type-specific applications. Instead of requiring users to directly interact with multiple specialized applications, the server provides a unified interface that handles content retrieval and delivery, thereby increasing device flexibility while reducing the complexity of application requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS7949681B2Aggregating content of disparate data types from disparate data sources for single point access

Publication Date: 2011.05.24 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for aggregating content of disparate data types from disparate data sources for single point access by a user. Embodiments include establishing a user account for the user; retrieving content of disparate data types from identified disparate data sources associated with the user account; storing the retrieved content; and associating the stored content with the user account.