Automatic configuration of attribute sets

• US 20040010514A1
• Filed: 01/30/2003
• Published: 01/15/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/11/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Oracle International Corporation (Oracle Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Oracle International Corporation (Oracle Corporation)
• Inventors: Agarwal, Sachin, Lee, Michele C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,447,701 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 707/104.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/289 Object oriented databases
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99934 Query formulation, input preparation, or translation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99942 Manipulating data structure, e.g. compression, compaction, compilation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99943 Generating database or data structure, e.g. via user interface
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99944 Object-oriented database structure
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99945 Object-oriented database structure processing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99947 Object-oriented database structure reference

Abstract

Technology is disclosed for automatically configuring attribute sets, such as object classes and classes of database tables. A system employing an object class, such as an Identity or Access System, configures the object class for use by the system. One version of the system employs a template that includes entries for attributes in the object class. An example entry identifies an attribute and a corresponding meta-attribute. Alternatively, the template may support multiple object classes and include entries with different types of information. During configuration, the system selects an attribute in the object class and identifies a corresponding template entry. The system configures the attribute, based on the information in the template entry. One type of configuration includes the system assigning a meta-attribute from the template entry to the attribute. The system repeats this procedure for each attribute in the object class or at least a subset of the attributes that need configuration.

Claims

1. A computer implemented method for attribute set configuration, comprising the steps of:

(a) identifying a template for an attribute set; and

(b) configuring said attribute set, based at least in part on said template.

2. A computer implemented method according to claim 1, wherein said method further includes the step of:

(c) retrieving schema information for said attribute set.

3. A computer implemented method according to claim 2, wherein said schema information identifies at least one attribute in said attribute set.

4. A computer implemented method according to claim 1, wherein said step (a) includes the steps of:

(1) determining whether a template matches said attribute set.

5. A computer implemented method according to claim 4, wherein said step (a) includes the step of:

(2) selecting a template determined to match said attribute set in said step (a)(1).

6. A computer implemented method according to claim 4, wherein said step (a) includes the step of:

(3) selecting a generic template, if it is determined in said step (a)(1) that no template matches said attribute set.

7. A computer implemented method according to claim 1, wherein said step (b) includes the step of:

(1) configuring at least one attribute in said attribute set.

8. A computer implemented method according to claim 7, wherein said step (b)(1) includes the steps of:

(i) identifying an entry in said template; and

(ii) configuring an attribute in said at least one attribute, based at least in part on said entry.

9. A computer implemented method according to claim 8, wherein said step (b)(1)(ii) includes the step of:

assigning a meta-attribute to said attribute.

10. A computer implemented method according to claim 9, wherein said meta-attribute includes at least one component from a set of components consisting of cardinality, display name, display type, searchable, version, visible, and semantic type.

11. A computer implemented method according to claim 9, wherein said entry matches said attribute.

12. A computer implemented method according to claim 9, wherein said entry is a default entry in said template.

13. A computer implemented method according to claim 9, wherein said entry identifies said meta-attribute.

14. A computer implemented method according to claim 13, wherein said entry contains said meta-attribute.

15. A computer implemented method according to claim 9, wherein said step of assigning a meta-attribute to said attribute includes the step of:

creating an object that specifies said meta-attribute for said attribute.

16. A computer implemented method according to claim 8, wherein said step (b)(1)(i) includes the step of:

determining whether said attribute is listed in said entry in said template.

17. A computer implemented method according to claim 8, wherein said step (b)(1)(i) includes the step of:

determining whether said entry in said template satisfies a filter.

18. A computer implemented method according to claim 17, wherein said filter requires said entry in said template to include a character string having a predetermined level of similarity with said attribute.

19. A computer implemented method according to claim 17, wherein said filter requires said entry in said template to specify a meta-attribute including at least one predetermined component.

20. A computer implemented method according to claim 1, wherein said attribute set is an object class.

21. A computer implemented method according to claim 1, wherein said attribute set is a class of database table.

22. A computer implemented method according to claim 1, wherein said method is performed by an Identity System.

23. A computer implemented method according to claim 1, wherein said method is performed by an Access System.

24. A computer implemented method according to claim 1, wherein said method is performed by an integrated Identity/Access System.

25. One or more processor readable storage devices having processor readable code embodied on said one or more processor readable storage devices, said processor readable code for programming one or more processors to perform a method comprising the steps of:

(a) identifying a template for an attribute set; and

(b) configuring said attribute set, based at least in part on said template.

26. One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 25, wherein said method further includes the step of:

(c) retrieving schema information for said attribute set, wherein said schema information identifies at least one attribute in said attribute set.

27. One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 25, wherein said step (a) includes the steps of:

(1) determining whether a template matches said attribute set.

28. One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 25, wherein said step (b) includes the step of:

(1) configuring at least one attribute in said attribute set.

29. One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 28, wherein said step (b)(1) includes the steps of:

(i) identifying an entry in said template; and

(ii) configuring an attribute in said at least one attribute, based at least in part on said entry.

30. One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 29, wherein said step (b)(1)(ii) includes the step of:

assigning a meta-attribute to said attribute.

31. One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 30, wherein said entry matches said attribute.

32. One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 30, wherein said entry is a default entry in said template.

33. One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 30, wherein said entry identifies said meta-attribute.

34. One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 33, wherein said entry contains said meta-attribute.

35. One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 30, wherein said step of assigning said meta-attribute to said attribute includes the step of:

creating an object that specifies said meta-attribute for said attribute.

36. One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 29, wherein said step (b)(1)(i) includes the step of:

determining whether said attribute is listed in said entry in said template.

37. One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 29, wherein said step (b)(1)(i) includes the step of:

determining whether said entry in said template satisfies a filter.

38. One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 25, wherein said attribute set is an object class.

39. One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 25, wherein said attribute set is a class of database table.

40. One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 25, wherein said method is performed by an Identity System.

41. One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 25, wherein said method is performed by an integrated Identity/Access System.

42. An apparatus, comprising:

one or more storage devices; and

one or more processors in communication with said one or more storage devices, said one or more processors perform a method comprising the steps of;

(a) identifying a template for an attribute set; and

(b) configuring said attribute set, based at least in part on said template.

43. An apparatus according to claim 42, wherein said method further includes the step of:

(c) retrieving schema information for said attribute set, wherein said schema information identifies at least one attribute in said attribute set.

44. An apparatus according to claim 42, wherein said step (b) includes the step of:

(1) configuring at least one attribute in said attribute set.

45. An apparatus according to claim 44, wherein said step (b)(1) includes the steps of:

(i) identifying an entry in said template; and

(ii) configuring an attribute in said at least one attribute, based at least in part on said entry.

46. An apparatus according to claim 44, wherein said step (b)(1)(ii) includes the step of:

assigning a meta-attribute to said attribute.

47. An apparatus according to claim 46, wherein said step of assigning said meta-attribute to said attribute includes the step of:

creating an object that specifies said meta-attribute for said attribute.

48. An apparatus according to claim 42, wherein said attribute set is an object class.

49. An apparatus according to claim 42, wherein said attribute set is a class of database table.

50. An apparatus according to claim 42, wherein said method is performed by an Identity System.

51. A computer implemented method for attribute set configuration, comprising the steps of:

(a) identifying a first entry in a template; and

(b) configuring an attribute in an attribute set, based at least in part on said first entry.

52. A computer implemented method according to claim 51, wherein said template corresponds to said attribute set.

53. A computer implemented method according to claim 51, wherein said method includes the step of:

(c) identifying said template for said attribute set.

54. A computer implemented method according to claim 51, wherein said first entry matches said attribute.

55. A computer implemented method according to claim 51, wherein said first entry is a default entry in said template.

56. A computer implemented method according to claim 51, wherein said step (a) includes the step of:

(1) determining whether said template contains an entry matching said attribute.

57. A computer implemented method according to claim 56, wherein said step (a)(1) includes the step of:

(i) determining whether said attribute is listed in an entry in said template.

58. A computer implemented method according to claim 56, wherein said step (a)(1) includes the step of:

(ii) determining whether an entry in said template satisfies a filter.

59. A computer implemented method according to claim 58, wherein said filter requires an entry in said template to include a character string having a predetermined level of similarity with said attribute.

60. A computer implemented method according to claim 58, wherein said filter requires an entry in said template to specify a meta-attribute including at least one predetermined component.

61. A computer implemented method according to claim 56, wherein it is determined in said step (a)(1) that said first entry matches said attribute.

62. A computer implemented method according to claim 61, wherein said step (b) includes the step of:

(1) assigning a meta-attribute specified in said first entry to said attribute.

63. A computer implemented method according to claim 62, wherein said meta-attribute includes at least one component from a set of components consisting of cardinality, display name, display type, searchable, version, visible, and semantic type.

64. A computer implemented method according to claim 56, wherein said step (a) includes the step of:

(2) determining whether to use a default entry in said template as said first entry, if it is determined in said step (a)(1) that no entry in said template matches said attribute.

65. A computer implemented method according to claim 64, wherein it is determined in said step (b)(2) to use said default entry in said template as said first entry and said step (b) includes the step of:

(2) assigning a meta-attribute specified in said first entry to said attribute.

66. A computer implemented method according to claim 51, wherein said step (b) includes the step of:

(3) assigning a meta-attribute specified in said first entry to said attribute.

67. A computer implemented method according to claim 66, wherein said first entry contains said meta-attribute.

68. A computer implemented method according to claim 66, wherein said step (b)(3) includes the step of:

(i) storing said meta-attribute in an object corresponding to said attribute.

69. A computer implemented method according to claim 51, wherein said attribute set is an object class.

70. A computer implemented method according to claim 51, wherein said attribute set is a class of database table.

71. A computer implemented method according to claim 51, wherein said method is performed by an Identity System.

72. A computer implemented method according to claim 51, wherein said method is performed by an Access System.

73. A computer implemented method according to claim 51, wherein said method is performed by an integrated Identity/Access System.

74. One or more processor readable storage devices having processor readable code embodied on said one or more processor readable storage devices, said processor readable code for programming one or more processors to perform a method comprising the steps of:

(a) identifying a first entry in a template; and

(b) configuring an attribute in an attribute set, based at least in part on said first entry.

75. One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 74, wherein said first entry matches said attribute.

76. One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 74, wherein said first entry is a default entry in said template.

77. One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 74, wherein said step (a) includes the step of:

(1) determining whether said template contains an entry matching said attribute.

78. One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 77, wherein said step (a)(1) includes the step of:

(i) determining whether said attribute is listed in an entry in said template.

79. One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 77, wherein said step (a)(1) includes the step of:

(ii) determining whether an entry in said template satisfies a filter.

80. One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 77, wherein it is determined in said step (a)(1) that said first entry matches said attribute, and said step (b) includes the step of:

(1) assigning a meta-attribute specified in said first entry to said attribute.

81. One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 77, wherein said step (a) includes the step of:

(2) determining whether to use a default entry in said template as said first entry, if it is determined in said step (a)(1) that no entry in said template matches said attribute.

82. One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 81, wherein it is determined in said step (b)(2) to use said default entry in said template as said first entry and said step (b) includes the step of:

(2) assigning a meta-attribute specified in said first entry to said attribute.

83. One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 74, wherein said step (b) includes the step of:

(3) assigning a meta-attribute specified in said first entry to said attribute.

84. One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 74, wherein said attribute set is an object class.

85. One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 74, wherein said attribute set is a class of database table.

86. One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 74, wherein said method is performed by an Identity System.

87. One or more processor readable storage devices according to claim 74, wherein said method is performed by an integrated Identity/Access System.

88. An apparatus, comprising:

one or more storage devices; and

one or more processors in communication with said one or more storage devices, said one or more processors perform a method comprising the steps of;

(a) identifying a first entry in a template; and

(b) configuring an attribute in an attribute set, based at least in part on said first entry.

89. An apparatus according to claim 88, wherein said step (a) includes the step of:

(1) determining whether said template contains an entry matching said attribute.

90. An apparatus according to claim 89, wherein said step (a)(1) includes the step of:

(i) determining whether said attribute is listed in an entry in said template.

91. An apparatus according to claim 89, wherein said step (a)(1) includes the step of:

(ii) determining whether an entry in said template satisfies a filter.

92. An apparatus according to claim 89, wherein it is determined in said step (a)(1) that said first entry matches said attribute, and said step (b) includes the step of:

(1) assigning a meta-attribute specified in said first entry to said attribute.

93. An apparatus according to claim 89, wherein said step (a) includes the step of:

(2) determining whether to use a default entry in said template as said first entry, if it is determined in said step (a)(1) that no entry in said template matches said attribute.

94. An apparatus according to claim 88, wherein said step (b) includes the step of:

(3) assigning a meta-attribute specified in said first entry to said attribute.

95. An apparatus according to claim 88, wherein said attribute set is an object class.

96. An apparatus according to claim 88, wherein said attribute set is a class of database table.

97. An apparatus according to claim 88, wherein said method is performed by an Identity System.