Versioned Data Report Change Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing report generation techniques fail to effectively track and display changes between successive refreshes of a report-based query, limiting the ability to analyze and re-establish reports based on previous data versions.
Innovation Solution
A computer-readable medium with a report generator and data change tracker that processes current and previous versions of data sets, assigns version identifiers, and uses these to generate reports, allowing for the identification and display of changes and aberrations, enabling users to re-establish reports based on specific data versions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the standard technique of refreshing report-based queries is used to update reports, then the report content is updated with latest data, but the ability to track and display changes between successive refreshes is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by capturing and storing version information of data sets before they are overwritten during refresh operations. Version identifiers are assigned to data sets at the time of retrieval, creating a historical record that allows later comparison and change tracking without interfering with the standard refresh process.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of modifying the original data retrieval process, the invention creates copies of version information (version identifiers) associated with each data set. These version copies are stored separately and used for comparison purposes, allowing change tracking without altering the core reporting functionality.
2Loss of information
If versioned data is tracked and stored to enable change analysis, then the ability to analyze report changes is improved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the data management functionality into distinct components: the standard report generation process remains separate from the version tracking process. Version identifiers are managed independently from the core reporting logic, allowing each component to function without unnecessary complexity while still enabling change tracking when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The version identification mechanism serves multiple functions: it enables change tracking, allows report re-establishment from previous versions, and provides a foundation for historical analysis. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems for each capability, thereby managing complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple versions of data sets are retrieved and stored, then the ability to re-establish reports based on previous versions is enabled, but the data storage requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts only the essential version identification information from complete data set copies. Instead of storing entire duplicate data sets, the system stores compact version identifiers that reference different states of the data, dramatically reducing storage requirements while maintaining the ability to re-establish reports from previous versions.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer-readable medium includes a report generator configured to process a current version of a data set to generate a report including a data item. The computer-readable medium also includes a report data change tracker configured to identify a change in the data item with respect to a previous version of the data set. The computer-readable medium further includes a report data change presenter configured to superimpose an indication of the change onto the report.