Web Service Interface Query Builder Automation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Accessing web services through APIs can be time-consuming and requires programming knowledge, as users often face unintuitive text-based interfaces with numerous options, making it difficult to construct queries effectively.
Innovation Solution
An automated interface generation system that allows users to input parameters to generate and refresh web service queries dynamically, providing a visual interface for querying web services without needing to learn complex APIs, and enabling the retrieval of URIs and program classes for re-executing queries.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If API-based web service access is used, then web service functionality is achieved, but user operation complexity increases and ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a visual query builder interface as an intermediary between the user and the complex API system. This intermediary translates user-friendly visual operations into API calls automatically, eliminating the need for users to directly interact with complex APIs while maintaining full web service functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces text-based API programming (mechanical coding process) with a visual drag-and-drop interface. Users interact with visual elements and parameters through graphical manipulation rather than writing code, substituting the mechanical programming process with an intuitive visual system.
2Loss of information
If comprehensive API documentation is provided, then web service capabilities are fully disclosed, but learning time increases and loss of time worsens
Solution Approach 1:
The visual query builder interface enables users to discover and understand web service capabilities through direct interaction with the interface rather than reading documentation. The interface itself becomes the documentation, showing users what parameters are available and how to use them through visual exploration and immediate feedback.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-configures the visual interface with all available web service parameters and options, organizing them in an intuitive manner before the user arrives. This preliminary structuring of information eliminates the need for users to search through extensive documentation, as everything is readily accessible and clearly presented in the interface.
3Ease of operation
If text-based programming interface is used, then precise control is achieved, but visual feedback is lacking and ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a one-dimensional text-based interface to a two-dimensional visual interface. This dimensional change enables graphical representation of parameters, relationships, and results, providing intuitive spatial organization and visual feedback that makes the system easier to understand and operate.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods, systems, and computer-readable media are disclosed to generate an interface for a web service and to query the web service. A method includes generating a user interface associated with a web service. The user interface includes one or more input parameter options associated with the web service. The user interface is generated based on a service specification and one or more series specifications associated with the service specification. User input is received via the user interface, where the user input includes a selection of at least one of the one or more input parameter options. A query of the web service is generated based on the user input, and the query reflects at least one selected input parameter option.