Web Data Usage Platform API Layer for Application Data Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is currently no easy way for applications to access data from web pages, limiting the ability to utilize this data across different applications.
Innovation Solution
A web data usage platform is implemented, comprising an engine layer, data store layer, and API layer, which generates an object model representing web data, allowing local and remote applications to access and interact with web data stored in a data store layer, including structured and unstructured data, and enabling features like data collection, subscription, and behavior integration.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If web data is stored in a data store layer with object model representation, then applications can access and utilize web data across different platforms, but the system complexity increases due to multiple layers (engine layer, data store layer, API layer)
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the web data access system into three distinct layers: engine layer (for data retrieval and processing), data store layer (for persistent storage), and API layer (for application interaction). This segmentation allows each layer to independently handle specific functions, improving adaptability while managing complexity through clear separation of concerns.
Solution Approach 2:
The object model serves as an intermediary between the raw web data and applications. It provides a standardized representation that applications can interact with without needing to understand the underlying data storage or retrieval mechanisms, thus improving versatility while abstracting away system complexity.
2Productivity
If manual copying and saving of web page data is used, then applications can access some web data, but the process is time-consuming and inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The engine layer performs preliminary actions by automatically retrieving, parsing, and storing web data in the data store layer before applications need it. This pre-processing eliminates the need for manual data collection and enables applications to access ready-to-use data, significantly improving productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides self-service functionality where the platform automatically manages web data collection, storage, and retrieval without requiring manual user intervention. Applications can directly query the data store layer through the API layer, enabling automated data access that eliminates time-consuming manual copying and saving operations.
Data Source
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AI summary
An application programming interface (API) layer is implemented on a computing device. The API layer allows a local application(s) executing on the computing device to access web data in a data store layer, and further allows a remote application(s) that is executing on some other computing device to access the web data in the data store layer. Additionally, this web data can include web pages, some of which may include structured data and some of which may not include structured data. A web browser is permitted to access the web data store via the object model, and generate a user interface based at least in part on these web pages.