Patent Application
20080288471
This invention relates generally to digital data storage and retrieval. More particularly, this invention relates to techniques to establish a data marketplace to browse and select disparate data packages.
Various technologies support the purchase of data in a networked environment. The data is made available in various forms. For example, one can download a report for a fee, one can access a web site for a subscription fee, or one can receive broadcast emails for a subscription fee. In each of these manifestations, the content is pre-packaged and is provided to each user in the same pre-packaged form.
It would be desirable to provide a data marketplace in which an individual could select data in various volumes, where the data is presented in accordance with selected visualizations. This would allow a user to purchase tailored data that is more suitable for an individual's budget and comprehension.
The invention includes a computer readable storage medium with executable instructions to provide an online store for displaying enhanced data presentation entities. Each enhanced data presentation entity has associated data values from a specified data source. Instructions to purchase a selected enhanced data presentation entity are received. The selected enhanced data presentation entity specifies a number of versions of data. An identification is assigned to the selected enhanced data presentation entity. The selected enhanced data presentation entity and associated data values are presented to a user.
The invention also includes a computer readable storage medium with executable instructions to present data packages, where each data package specifies a data source, data visualization information, data frequency, and data package price. A selected data package is identified. Delivery of data associated with the selected data package is coordinated.
The invention is more fully appreciated in connection with the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
The system 100 also includes a server computer 102. The server computer 102 includes standard components, such as a network interface card 130, which is connected to a central processing unit 136 via a bus 134. Input/output devices 132 are also connected to the bus 134. A memory 138 is also connected to the bus 134. The memory 138 stores executable instructions to implement operations associated with the invention. For example, the memory 138 may include a store module 140, which includes executable instructions to allow one to define and display an Enhanced Data Presentation Entity (EDPE). Each EDPE is linked to a data source and provides a visualization of a sub-set of information associated with the data source. Further, each EDPE has an associated control that specifies the frequency at which data is received. The frequency may be a single download. Alternately, the frequency may provide for an unlimited number of data updates in a specified time period. Alternately, the frequency may specify a specific number of data updates over any given time. The EDPE operates to link to a data source, filter selected information from the data source and present that information in a specified visualization.
An EDPE provides data within a complex presentation format. The complex presentation format can include a report document type format, an analytic format, or another interactive widget type presentation of the data. The EDPE specifies how to access data and format it. An EDPE where the content does not include external data, either saved within the EDPE or accessed live, is an EDPE template rather than an EDPE. Unlike, other non-EDPE documents that may optionally import external data within a document, an EDPE by design is primarily a medium for accessing, formatting, transforming and or presenting external data.
An EDPE is specifically designed to facilitate working with external data sources. In addition to information regarding external data source connection drivers and subscription privileges, the EDPE may specify advanced filtering of data, information for combining data from different external data sources, information for updating join structures and relationships in EDPE data, and instructions including logic to support a more complex internal data model (that may include additional constraints, relationships, and metadata).
The EDPE may specify logic for accepting user input. User input may be accepted initially when customizing an EDPE template by adding a specific data selection, filter, warning threshold, or other attribute. The EDPE may specify logic for accepting user input after the EDPE has been generated with data, such as adding custom values to an interactive EDPE. The custom values that are added can include specific data selection, filters, specific values for “what if” projections, and the like. User input may also specify drill-up and drill-down operations.
In contrast to a spreadsheet type or simple charting application, an EDPE generation tool is generally not limited to a table structure but can support a range of structures, such as sections, cross-tables, synchronized tables, sub-reports, hybrid charts, and the like. A spreadsheet or simple charting application applies a spatial logic that is based on the location of the data within the layout of the spreadsheet or chart in order to interpret data and perform calculations on the data. In contrast, an EDPE design tool is not limited to logic that is based on the display of the data, but rather can interpret the data and perform calculations based on the original (or a redefined) data structure and meaning of the imported data. The EDPE may also interpret the data and perform calculations based on pre-existing relationships between elements of imported data. An EDPE can support a range of calculation models.
Memory 138 also stores a subscription module 142. The subscription module 142 includes executable instructions to manage the selection and delivery of data selected by a user. The memory 138 also stores a burn module 144, which includes executable instructions to assign a persistent identification to an EDPE, allowing the EDPE to be used across various platforms.
The system 100 may also includes a set of data sources 104_A through 104_N. By way of example, the data sources 104 may be a web service, file system, data warehouse and the like. Each data source 104 typically includes standard components, such as a network interface circuit 150, input/output devices 152, and a central processing unity 156 linked by a bus 154. A memory 158 is also connected to the bus 154. In this example, the memory 158 includes a data source 160 that may be accessed by a user. An access module 162 includes executable instructions to facilitate network access to the data source 160. A meter module 164 includes executable instructions to measure the amount of data delivered to the user. The meter module 164 is configured to process the frequency information associated with an EDPE so that a user receives the amount of data specified by the frequency information.
The configuration of system 100 is exemplary. Data sources may be associated with the server 102 and multiple data sources may be combined in server 104_A. The various modules in computer 102 may be utilized on computer 104 and vice versa. It is the operations of the invention that are significant, not the particular manner or location where those operations are performed.
Returning to
The next processing operation of
The EDPE is then linked to a data source 206. For example, the subscription module 142 may send the selected EDPE to the data source to initiate the retrieval of the requested information. The EDPE is then authenticated 208. Authentication is typically performed at the data source. For example, the access module 162 may be used to process the persistent identification and other authentication information. In one embodiment, the access module 162 looks up the subscription identification in the subscription module 142. In response to this operation, the subscription module 142 provides parameters associated with the subscription to the access module 162. These parameters are subsequently used by the access module 162 to access the appropriate data from the data source 160.
The subscription module 142 may also communicate with the access module 162 to coordinate revenue sharing associated with the purchase of the data associated with the EDPE. For example, the subscription module 142 may include executable instructions to process a credit card payment for data. The subscription module 142 may then keep a facilitation fee, while providing a payment to the data source.
The next processing operation of
At this point, if the EDPE does not include updates (212—NO), processing is complete. Otherwise, if the EDPE includes updates, processing is returned to block 208. The processing of blocks 208-216 is repeated until all updates are received. For example, the downloaded EDPE may be configured to receive an unlimited number of updates over a specified period of time. Alternately, the EDPE may be configured to receive a specified number of updates over any given period of time. In one embodiment, updates may be secured for different parameters. For example, if an initial report supplies information on one company, then an update may provide information for a second company.
Those skilled in the art will recognize a number of advantages associated with the disclosed technology. For example, an EDPE may be constructed to provide useful visualizations and data package sizes (e.g., a single download, periodic downloads, a subset of source information, etc.). Attributes of a single EDPE may be used in connection with a number of data sources, potentially operated by different entities. Therefore, an EDPE developer may facilitate access to a variety of data sources. Similarly, multiple EDPEs may be associated with a single data source.
The invention provides a data marketplace in which an individual can select data in various volumes in accordance with selected visualizations. This allows a user to purchase tailored data that is more suitable for an individual's budget and comprehension.
An embodiment of the present invention relates to a computer storage product with a computer-readable medium having computer code thereon for performing various computer-implemented operations. The media and computer code may be those specially designed and constructed for the purposes of the present invention, or they may be of the kind well known and available to those having skill in the computer software arts. Examples of computer-readable media include, but are not limited to: magnetic media such as hard disks, floppy disks, and magnetic tape; optical media such as CD-ROMs, DVDs and holographic devices; magneto-optical media; and hardware devices that are specially configured to store and execute program code, such as application-specific integrated circuits (“ASICs”), programmable logic devices (“PLDs”) and ROM and RAM devices. Examples of computer code include machine code, such as produced by a compiler, and files containing higher-level code that are executed by a computer using an interpreter. For example, an embodiment of the invention may be implemented using Java, C++, or other object-oriented programming language and development tools. Another embodiment of the invention may be implemented in hardwired circuitry in place of, or in combination with, machine-executable software instructions.
The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that specific details are not required in order to practice the invention. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the invention are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed; obviously, many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, they thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the following claims and their equivalents define the scope of the invention.
