Remote access of heterogeneous data
First Claim
1. A computer implemented method for accessing information in a distributed networked environment having multiple clients, a middle tier server, and one or more remote data repositories, the method comprising:
- allowing access to said middle tier server for client queries;
processing client queries, including converting said queries to native query languages supported by the appropriate remote data repositories, and dispatching said native queries to said remote data repositories;
processing of native query results, including integrating said native query results and converting said native query result into one or more data views, where a data view is a single presentation of heterogeneous information content in a homogeneous form;
wherein said native query result comprises a list of entries, wherein converting said native query result into one or more final data views comprises;
identifying the form of said native query result, wherein said form describes the presentation format of said native query result in terms of its layout and structure;
identifying the form of the final result, wherein said final result is based on the requirements of said client profile, preferences, settings and parameters of the client mobile device;
determining the number of said final data views, wherein said number of data views is the minimal number of distinct data views required to display all the said final results;
transforming said native query result into said form of the final result; and
collating said final results in said final data view;
wherein said collation involves ranking and duplicate elimination;
wherein each entry is ranked using its said weighted value;
wherein said transforming of said native query result comprises;
for said native query results that are not of embedded form, a shallow transformation of each entry from said native form to said final result is performed;
wherein said embedded form is a form with a list of forms embedded in said form;
wherein said shallow transformation involves changing said annotation of the type of native result form from the original to the target form;
for said native query results that are of embedded form, wherein each entry does not have the required search term data type, a shallow transform of each entry from said native form to final result is performed; and
for said native query results that are of embedded form, wherein each entry has the required search term data type, said embedded entries are decomposed based on said data type and a shallow transform of each decomposed entry from said native form to final result is performed.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method and system for providing remote access to heterogeneous information sources from computing devices including but not limited to personal computers, laptop computers, PDAs, cellular telephones is presented. A middle-tier server is provided in a multi-tier environment for allowing a data-centric approach to accessing, modifying and updating content located at remote data sources. The middle-tier server provides functionality for a mobile (or similar) user to perform a search query, request for document and/or data, update remote data, and perform commands on remote data sources. In addition, the middle-tier server manages the authentication of the user in sessioned or sessionless mode. In particular, search query results are processed such that the results answer a search query. That is, rather than simply providing a list of document matches, the middle-tier server extracts information from the document that answers the search query most appropriately. Finally, the middle-tier server, using user preferences, device capabilities and settings, transforms the result, document or data into an appropriate format that is suitable for the device, user and communication network. This allows the user to easily process and view the document on a (possibly limited capacity/functionality) device.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A computer implemented method for accessing information in a distributed networked environment having multiple clients, a middle tier server, and one or more remote data repositories, the method comprising:
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allowing access to said middle tier server for client queries; processing client queries, including converting said queries to native query languages supported by the appropriate remote data repositories, and dispatching said native queries to said remote data repositories; processing of native query results, including integrating said native query results and converting said native query result into one or more data views, where a data view is a single presentation of heterogeneous information content in a homogeneous form; wherein said native query result comprises a list of entries, wherein converting said native query result into one or more final data views comprises; identifying the form of said native query result, wherein said form describes the presentation format of said native query result in terms of its layout and structure; identifying the form of the final result, wherein said final result is based on the requirements of said client profile, preferences, settings and parameters of the client mobile device; determining the number of said final data views, wherein said number of data views is the minimal number of distinct data views required to display all the said final results; transforming said native query result into said form of the final result; and collating said final results in said final data view;
wherein said collation involves ranking and duplicate elimination;
wherein each entry is ranked using its said weighted value;wherein said transforming of said native query result comprises; for said native query results that are not of embedded form, a shallow transformation of each entry from said native form to said final result is performed;
wherein said embedded form is a form with a list of forms embedded in said form;
wherein said shallow transformation involves changing said annotation of the type of native result form from the original to the target form;for said native query results that are of embedded form, wherein each entry does not have the required search term data type, a shallow transform of each entry from said native form to final result is performed; and for said native query results that are of embedded form, wherein each entry has the required search term data type, said embedded entries are decomposed based on said data type and a shallow transform of each decomposed entry from said native form to final result is performed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification