Uniform Interface for Configurable Objects in Database Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional database management systems require significant resources and are inflexible, making it difficult for business applications to process new types of objects and adapt to changing object attributes, as they need to know the complete structures and database schemata of objects.

Innovation Solution

A software layer provides a uniform interface for applications to access and process objects from various data sources, allowing configuration by the end-user, which defines object types and their properties, enabling flexible object structures and attribute enhancements without modifying existing applications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If conventional database management systems are used to store and retrieve objects, then data can be organized and retrieved, but the systems require significant resources and are inflexible when processing new types of objects or changing object attributes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility to process new object typesVSAvoidresource consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments object attributes into two categories: fixed attributes (defined at development time) and configurable attributes (can be added or modified). This segmentation allows the core system to remain stable while enabling flexible adaptation to new object types without requiring complete system changes or significant resource investment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary layer (the configurable attribute mechanism) between the fixed interface and the actual object data. This intermediary allows applications to interact with a stable interface while the intermediary handles the complexity of adapting to new object types and attributes, reducing the resource burden on both the core system and applications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the complete structures and database schemata of objects are known to business applications, then applications can process objects, but changing object attributes requires costly development resources and application modifications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of processing objectsVSAvoidcost of system changes

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the complexity of object structure definitions from business applications and places it in the configurable attribute layer. Applications only need to know the fixed interface, while the configurable attributes handle the complete object structures and schema definitions. This extraction makes object processing easier for applications while reducing the cost of system changes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements dynamic configurability where object attributes can be added, removed, or modified without changing the application code. The configurable attribute layer dynamically adapts to new object types and structures, maintaining ease of operation for applications while eliminating the high cost of system modifications.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Loss of energy

If a fixed interface and data types are used in applications, then resource wastage is reduced, but the system lacks flexibility to accommodate new object attributes and types

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresource wastageVSAvoidflexibility of object structures

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adds a new dimension to the system architecture by introducing the configurable attribute layer between the fixed interface and object data. This additional dimension enables flexibility in object structures without affecting the efficiency of the fixed interface, allowing the system to simultaneously achieve low resource wastage and high adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Data Source

PatentUS7353237B2Computer systems, methods and programs for providing uniform access to configurable objects derived from disparate sources

Publication Date: 2008.04.01 SAP SE

AI summary

Embodiments of the present invention relate to computer systems, methods and programs for storing a set of data obtained from a data source, the set of data comprising a set of attribute or field names and respective attribute or field values. The computer system may comprise means for storing object type definitions, each object type definition comprising an object type name and at least a set of defining characteristics and a set of role names, and means for storing role definitions, each role definition comprising a role name and at least a set of controlling characteristics. Further, the computer system may include means for storing a list of prioritized finding rules, each finding rule comprising a condition for application to values of the set of data and one of the object types that is returned when the condition is fulfilled, means for storing objects that are instances of the object types, and means for storing mass data referring to objects; and a set of inbound interfaces.