Universal Parsing Agent for Data Format Conversion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Users face challenges in efficiently converting diverse information sources into a compatible format for software applications, as existing solutions are often hard-coded, expensive, and lack reusability, requiring significant time and programmer expertise.

Innovation Solution

A method and system that utilize a graphical user interface to select pattern descriptors and templates, allowing users to parse and convert information sources into a common format, such as XML, without requiring programming skills, enabling flexible and reusable data extraction and conversion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If hard-coded solutions are used for data conversion, then the conversion process can be automated, but the solutions lack reusability and require significant programmer expertise

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata conversion automationVSAvoidsolution reusability
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal parsing platform that can handle multiple data formats and sources through a single system. The platform uses configurable templates and pattern descriptors that can be applied across different data types (CSV, Excel, databases, web sources) without requiring separate hard-coded solutions for each format, thereby achieving both automation and reusability

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

Solution Approach 2:

The patent segments the data conversion process into distinct modular components: data source selection, template application, pattern descriptor configuration, and output generation. This segmentation allows each component to be independently configured and reused across different conversion tasks, eliminating the need for complete hard-coded solutions for each conversion scenario

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of manufacture

If commercial parsing software is used, then data reformatting capabilities are provided, but the software is expensive and requires developer time for implementation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata reformatting capabilityVSAvoidimplementation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent provides pre-configured templates and pattern descriptors that are prepared in advance for common data formats and conversion scenarios. Users can directly apply these pre-built templates to their data without requiring time-consuming custom development, thereby reducing implementation time while maintaining ease of manufacture

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If users manually reformat data, then flexibility in data conversion is achieved, but significant time and resources are consumed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata conversion flexibilityVSAvoiddata formatting time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic template configuration system where users can adjust template parameters and pattern descriptors based on their specific conversion needs. This dynamic configurability provides the flexibility of manual reformatting while automating the actual conversion process, thereby maintaining adaptability while dramatically reducing the time required

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Productivity

If hard-coded solutions are used, then specific data conversion tasks can be completed, but the solutions cannot be modified by users

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconversion task completionVSAvoiduser modifiability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent empowers users to independently configure and modify conversion templates and pattern descriptors without requiring programmer expertise. The platform provides user-friendly interfaces for template customization, pattern selection, and parameter adjustment, allowing users to perform self-service modifications to meet their specific conversion needs while maintaining high productivity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS7917548B2Universal parsing agent system and method
Publication Date: 2011.03.29 BATTELLE MEMORIAL INST
  • US7917548B2 patent drawing
  • US7917548B2 patent drawing
  • US7917548B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A system and method for extracting and converting data from one or more information sources into a common format. The method comprises receiving the information sources, receiving at least one pattern descriptor selected from a graphical user interface, and receiving one or more templates with each templates having at least one pattern descriptor. The method then proceeds to apply the one or more templates to the information sources. The method generates the plurality of data in a common format by parsing the information sources with the templates. The method stores the data in the common format.