Virtual Integrated View for Heterogeneous XML Databases
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for generating XML-schema or DTD files from multiple XML files result in unnecessarily long and complicated schemas, and can only process a single file at a time, failing to efficiently handle heterogeneous XML files for data communication between different parties.
Innovation Solution
A method that generates a syntax tree representation of multiple XML documents by creating a tree-structured document object model, traversing it to form an intermediate structure, and then generating a syntax tree representation, which can be used to produce a concise DTD or XML-schema file, enabling a virtual unified view of heterogeneous databases.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If existing methods are used to generate XML-schema or DTD files from multiple XML files, then the files can be processed, but the resulting schemas become unnecessarily long and complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the schema generation process into distinct phases: parsing XML files into document object models, traversing these models to extract structural information, and generating schema representations. This segmentation allows for more efficient processing and generates less complex schemas by focusing on essential structural elements rather than exhaustive documentation of all file variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary data structure that represents the common structure shared by multiple XML files. This intermediary representation serves as a mediator between the diverse XML inputs and the final schema output, enabling the system to generate concise schemas that capture the essential commonalities without being cluttered by file-specific variations.
2Adaptability or versatility
If existing methods process multiple XML files, then they can handle heterogeneous data, but they can only process a single file at a time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the processing of multiple XML files by simultaneously parsing multiple document object models and traversing them in an integrated manner. This combining approach allows the system to handle heterogeneous files in parallel, identifying common structural patterns across all files at once rather than sequentially, thereby improving processing throughput while maintaining adaptability to file diversity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal processing framework that can handle various types of XML files with different structures through a common traversal and comparison mechanism. This multi-functional approach allows the same code to process heterogeneous files efficiently by adapting to their specific structures while extracting common patterns, eliminating the need for separate processing routines for each file type.
3Adaptability or versatility
If existing methods generate schemas from multiple XML files, then they can create a unified view, but the schemas become unnecessarily long and complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential common structural elements from multiple XML files during the traversal process, separating the core unified structure from file-specific variations. This extraction approach generates schemas that represent the fundamental commonalities across all files without including unnecessary redundant information, resulting in more concise and manageable schema definitions that still provide a comprehensive unified view.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of schema generation by focusing on structural patterns and relationships rather than exhaustive documentation of all possible file variations. This parameter change allows the system to generate schemas with appropriate levels of detail and abstraction, creating unified views that are both comprehensive and concise by adjusting the granularity and specificity of the generated schema elements.
Data Source
AI summary
A computer system 1 is operable to receive a plurality of XML (or other marked-up) documents associated with heterogeneous databases 20, 30 and to process these to generate a virtual integrated view presenting a seemingly merged view of the database structures. The computer system includes an input interface for receiving a plurality of marked-up documents, a document object model generation module operable to generate a tree-structured document object model of each marked-up document; an intermediate structure generation module operable to traverse each document object model to generate an intermediate structure comprising a list of lists of elements and sub-elements; a syntax tree generation module for generating a syntax tree representation of the intermediate structure; and a virtual integrated view module operable to generate a view of the syntax tree representation which may be conveniently displayed to the user on a graphical display, wherein by providing the system with a plurality of marked-up documents reflecting the structures of a plurality of databases, the virtual integrated view module is operable to provide a virtual integrated view of the plurality of databases.