Web Services Response Templates for Data Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current web services face inefficiencies and challenges in managing information retrieval and changes, leading to 'response conundrums' where either excessive data is returned or multiple requests are needed, due to a lack of control over the information model in program-to-program communication.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of Web Services Response Templates (WSRTs) allows requestors to explicitly specify the information needed, ensuring only relevant data is returned, and enables seamless integration of new information without breaking client software, by using XML-based templates to control the form and quantity of information exchanged.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a web service returns all available information, then completeness of information is improved, but message size and data retrieval overhead increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the specific information elements requested by the client from the complete data set, rather than returning all available information. This is achieved through response templates that specify exact data paths and formats, eliminating unnecessary data transmission while maintaining information completeness for the requested scope.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the information model into hierarchical elements that can be selectively retrieved. Response templates define specific segments of data to be returned based on client needs, allowing the system to divide the complete information set into manageable, selectively transferable units that reduce overall message size.
2Quantity of substance
If a web service returns very specific information, then message size is reduced, but number of requests increases to retrieve all required information
Solution Approach 1:
The response template mechanism serves multiple functions simultaneously: it specifies data format, defines information selection criteria, and controls response structure. This multi-functionality allows a single request to retrieve comprehensive yet specific information, eliminating the need for multiple sequential requests while maintaining efficient message size.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic response templates that can be customized for different client needs and data types. Templates can be configured to return varying levels of detail in a single response, adapting to specific information requirements without requiring additional requests, thus reducing time loss while maintaining message efficiency.
3Loss of information
If a service adds new information to existing requests, then information availability is improved, but interface complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of information representation by using standardized response templates with defined schemas. New information is incorporated by updating template parameters and schemas rather than modifying the interface structure, allowing information availability to increase while interface complexity remains stable through parameter-based evolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses template copying and instantiation to handle new information types. Rather than creating new interface structures, the system copies existing template patterns and adapts them to new data types, maintaining interface simplicity while improving information availability through reusable template structures.
4Loss of information
If a service returns all available information, then information availability is improved, but processing overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts only the specific information elements required by the client response template, avoiding retrieval and processing of unnecessary data. This extraction mechanism reduces processing overhead by focusing computational resources on generating only the requested information while maintaining complete availability of the underlying data model.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-defining response templates with specified data paths and formats. This allows the system to prepare and structure information in advance according to known client requirements, reducing processing overhead during actual request fulfillment while ensuring complete information availability according to the template specifications.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a Web Services Response Template (WSRT) that addresses the problems of efficiency and robustness to change in Web Services response by allowing a requestor to explicitly specify, in a response template what information is to be returned by the request. A requestor of a web service gets just the information it needs; different requestors of the same operation may get different information; and a responder sends the requestor only what is asked for so there is no problem when new information becomes available. WSRTs are specifically designed to allow the type of control needed in program-to-program (P2P) communication, while being very efficiently and simply processed by a web service. Thus, WSRTs address difficulties that arise in typical distributed, P2P communication without adding much overhead or complexity to either a service requester or a service provider. The efficiency and flexibility afforded by WSRTs is essential to emerging enterprise architectures based on SOA (Service Oriented Architecture).