US 10,540,331 B2 · Hierarchically stored data processing

Abstract

Methods and systems are described for receiving data including a hierarchy change log comprising change records specifying changes made to hierarchical data. The hierarchical data includes hierarchically arranged nodes. Change records are grouped according to a key corresponding to each record. Using a record consolidation algorithm, a consolidated view of the hierarchy change log is generated. A consolidated view can be generated by sorting, for each group, the change records into an ascending temporal order based on their respective timestamps to form a sequence of change records. The consolidated view is then displayed on an electronic visual display. Related apparatus, systems, techniques and articles are also described.

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Claims16

Dependent claims

A computer-implemented method comprising:

receiving hierarchical data comprising a hierarchy change log having a plurality of change records that each specify, in text, (i) a node, (ii) one of a plurality of changes made to the node, (iii) an old predecessor node identifying an old position of the node prior to a change of the plurality of changes, and (iv) a new predecessor node identifying a current position of the node after the change, wherein the hierarchical data comprises a plurality of hierarchically arranged nodes and wherein the plurality of changes comprises at least one of a deletion of the node, an insertion of the node, or a positional change to the node within the plurality of hierarchically arranged nodes;
grouping the plurality of change records according to a key corresponding to each change record;
generating, using a record consolidation algorithm having a plurality of rules, a consolidated view based on the hierarchy change log, the consolidated view comprising a reduced number of change records for at least one of the groups of change records by iterating through the plurality of rules, wherein each rule of the plurality of rules defines a specified change and corresponding merge definition, the merging definition defining which change record of the plurality of change records to modify by updating the old predecessor node or the new predecessor node, wherein the generating comprises sorting, for each group, the change records into an ascending temporal order based on their respective timestamps to form a sequence of change records;
selectively merging, for each group based on the plurality of rules, each change record in the sequence of change records with an immediately successive change record until such time that (i) only one change record remains for the group or (ii) there are no remaining change records;
and
causing the consolidated view to be displayed on an electronic visual display.

3 more elements

An article of manufacture comprising:

computer executable instructions stored on non-transitory computer readable media, which, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to perform operations comprising:
receiving hierarchical data comprising a hierarchy change log having a plurality of change records that each specify, in text, (i) a node, (ii) one of a plurality of changes made to the node, (iii) an old predecessor node identifying an old position of the node prior to a change of the plurality of changes, and (iv) a new predecessor node identifying a current position of the node after the change, wherein the hierarchical data comprises a plurality of hierarchically arranged nodes and wherein the plurality of changes comprises at least one of a deletion of the node, an insertion of the node, or a positional change to the node within the plurality of hierarchically arranged nodes;
grouping the plurality of change records according to a key corresponding to each change record;
generating, using a record consolidation algorithm having a plurality of rules, a consolidated view based on the hierarchy change log, the consolidated view comprising a reduced number of change records for at least one of the groups of change records by iterating through the plurality of rules, wherein each rule of the plurality of rules defines a specified change and corresponding merge definition, the merging definition defining which change record of the plurality of change records to modify by updating the old predecessor node or the new predecessor node, wherein the generating comprises sorting, for each group, the change records into an ascending temporal order based on their respective timestamps to form a sequence of change records;
selectively merging, for each group based on the plurality of rules, each change record in the sequence of change records with an immediately successive change record until such time that (i) one change record remains for the group or (ii) there are no remaining change records;
and
causing the consolidated view to be displayed on an electronic visual display.

4 more elements

A system comprising:

a computer;
non-transitory computer readable media;
computer executable instructions stored on the non-transitory computer readable media, which, when executed by the computer, causes the computer to perform operations comprising:
receiving hierarchical data comprising a hierarchy change log having a plurality of change records that each specify, in text, (i) a node, (ii) one of a plurality of changes made to the node, (iii) an old predecessor node identifying an old position of the node prior to a change of the plurality of changes, and (iv) a new predecessor node identifying a current position of the node after the change, wherein the hierarchical data comprises a plurality of hierarchically arranged nodes and wherein the plurality of changes comprises at least one of a deletion of the node, an insertion of the node, or a positional change to the node within the plurality of hierarchically arranged nodes;
grouping the plurality of change records according to a key corresponding to each change record;
generating, using a record consolidation algorithm having a plurality of rules, a consolidated view based on the hierarchy change log, the consolidated view comprising a reduced number of change records for at least one of the groups of change records by iterating through the plurality of rules, wherein each rule of the plurality of rules defines a specified change and corresponding merge definition, the merging definition defining which change record of the plurality of change records to modify by updating the old predecessor node or the new predecessor node, wherein the generating comprises sorting, for each group, the change records into an ascending temporal order based on their respective timestamps to form a sequence of change records;
selectively merging, for each group based on the plurality of rules, each change record in the sequence of change records with an immediately successive change record until such time that (i) only one change record remains for the group or (ii) there are no remaining change records;
and
causing the consolidated view to be displayed on an electronic visual display.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description4,426 words

Summary1,042 words

#The subject matter described herein relates to hierarchical data processing.

#Hierarchal database structures can be used in various applications such as enterprise organization structures, master data structures, or product catalogs. Data records stored within the hierarchal database structures are organized based on hierarchical relationships with master data objects. Modification to data records stored within the hierarchal database structures creates corresponding change data logs. Each modification in turn increases the number of data records stored within the hierarchal database structure.

#In one aspect, a computer implemented method can be implemented by at least one data processor to receive data including a hierarchy change log. The hierarchy change log includes change records, each change record specifies one of many changes made to hierarchical data.

Brief description of the drawings6 figures

#FIG. 1 is a diagram of an example implementation system of a client-server architecture;

#FIG. 2 is an example hierarchical computation process with a hierarchical data structure, a modified hierarchical data structure, and a corresponding hierarchy change log;

#FIG. 3 is an example record consolidation algorithm;

Detailed description3,296 words

#Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

#A hierarchal change log can reflect data associated with user interaction via a user interface to visualize hierarchies. For example, swapping two items that are each connected to a different node of a hierarchal data record can require multiple user interactions in order to first move the items to an intermediate “parking position” in order to free up a previous position to make remove for a second item in that position. A change log can be stored for each intermediate action which occurs prior to the dragging and dropping of a node to a final positions in the hierarchy. Once these hierarchy changes are entered by a user, an approving user reviews the change log in order to determine whether or not the requested user change can be finalized.

#Change logs can be consolidated using a record consolidation algorithm to remove intermediate action change logs. The removal of these intermediate action change logs can produce a consolidated view of a change log. The consolidated view can reflect those changes which have been approved.

Facts

Application

15/363,326Filed 29 Nov 2016

Published

US 2018/0150478 A131 May 2018

Granted

21 Jan 2020

Term ends

11 Jul 2037

Estimated · how

20 years from earliest known nonprovisional domestic filing plus recorded patent term adjustment, including 224 days of adjustment. Maintenance-fee lapses, terminal disclaimers and statutory extensions have not been checked. The continuity chain may be incomplete; this is not an enforceability determination.

Classification3 codes

G06F 16/185
File system types: hierarchical storage management [HSM] systems, e.g. file migration or policies thereof
G06F 16/2358
Updating: change logging, detection, and notification
G06F
Computing and data processing

Hierarchically stored data processing

Life of this patent

Hierarchically stored data processing

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims16

Description4,426 words

Drawings

Classification3 codes

Life of this patent

Description4,426 words