LU100277B1

LU100277B1 - Report updating method

Info

Publication number: LU100277B1
Application number: LU100277A
Authority: LU
Inventors: Hans-Günther Fernbach
Original assignee: Jabatix S A
Priority date: 2017-06-08
Filing date: 2017-06-08
Publication date: 2019-02-12

Abstract

A method of updating one or more reports, the method comprising receiving data from a data producing system, the data comprising at least one data record; analysing the received data, wherein analysing the received data comprises determining based on one or more conditions associated with the one or more reports whether the at least one data record is needed in the one or more reports; and if it is determined the data record is needed in at least one or all of the one or more reports; updating the data record in the at least one or all of the one or more reports. (Fig. 2)

Description

REPORT UPDATING METHOD

FIELD

The present invention relates to a method of updating one or more reports, a method of reporting data and associated devices and systems.

BACKGROUND

When a user requires information about data records in a known data base, the user can request a report or analysis of the data records to be initiated. The report or analysis of the data records may be performed once all data records have been stored in the data base. In order to compile a report, all data records that are stored in the data base may be analysed to determine whether a data record of the plurality of data records is relevant in for the report. This may require a large amount of processing capacity and time, since all data records in the data base need to be read and analysed

SUMMARY

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of updating one or more reports. The method may comprise receiving data from a data producing system. The data may comprise at least one data record. The method may comprise analysing the received data. Analysing the received data may comprise determining, e.g. based on one or more conditions associated with the one or more reports, whether the at least one data record is needed in the one or more reports. If it is determined the data record is needed in at least one or all of the one or more reports, the method may comprise updating the data record in the at least one or all of the one or more reports.

For example, when the data record is updated in at least one, some or all of the one or more reports, the data record may be updated in the reports at the same time or in parallel.

Updating the data record may comprise adding a new data record, changing an existing data record or deleting an existing data record.

If it is determined the data record is not needed in the at least one or all of the one or more reports, then the data record may be entered into an archive.

The received data may comprise a data structure. The method may comprising at least one of: transferring the data structure into an application layer of a user’s device; defining the data structure in application layer of the user’s device; and determining the data structure from the data producing system.

The data structure may comprise or be defined as at least one of a data model, business object, state object or state pattern, and data fields.

The method may comprise initialising or defining a report data dictionary. Initialling or defining the report data dictionary may comprise transferring the one or more reports into the report data dictionary

The method may comprise associating or assigning at least one position of at least one or each of the one or more reports with a respective report constant.

The method may comprise associating or assigning at least one other position of at least one or each of the one or more reports with a respective processing operation.

The method may comprise associating or assigning at least one or each position at least one or each of the one or more reports with a respective filter.

Analysing the received data may comprise analysing at least one of: the report constant associated or assigned with the at least one position, the processing operation associated or assigned with the at least one other position, and the filter associated or assigned with the at least one or each position, for example to determine whether the data record is required by at least one position of the at least one or all of the one of more reports.

If it is determined that the data record is required by the at least one position of the at least one or all of the one or more reports, the method may comprise updating the data record in the at least one position of the at least one or all of the one or more reports.

For example when the data record has been updated in at least one or all of the one or more reports, the method may comprise associating the data record with a reference to itemise the data record.

The method may comprise storing, for example information relating to, in which report the at least one report constant has been updated with the data record to create a history of some or all data updates during a pre-determined time interval.

The method may comprises storing the at least one or all of the one or more reports separately from one or more data records included in or associated with the at least one report or all of the one or more reports, for example to allow for the generation of a data mart.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of reporting data. The method may comprise requesting a report to be initiated. The method may comprise displaying the report on a screen of a user device. At least one data record may have been updated in the report using the method of updating data one or more reports according to the first aspect.

I

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a computer program comprising computer readable instructions configured to cause a processor to carry out a method according to the first aspect and/or the second aspect.

According to a fourth aspect there is provided a computer readable medium carrying a computer program according to claim the third aspect.

Various aspects and features of the invention set out above or below may be combined with various other aspects and features of the invention as will be readily apparent to the skilled person.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings, in which: - Figure 1 depicts a flow chart of a known process for compiling a report from a data base; - Figure 2 schematically depicts a flow chart of a method of updating one or more reports according to an embodiment of the invention; - Figure 3 schematically depicts a flow chart of one or more steps of defining a data dictionary; - Figure 4 schematically depicts a flow chart of one or more steps of defining or initialising a report data dictionary; - Figure 5 schematically depicts an interaction between a data structure 525, which is defined as a business object, and the report data dictionary of Figure 4; - Figure 6 schematically depicts another flow chart of the method of Figure 2; - Figure 7 schematically depicts another flow chart of the method of Figure 2; - Figure 8 schematically depicts another flow chart of the method of Figure 2;

Figure 9 schematically depicts another flow chart of the method of Figure 2; - Figure 10 schematically depicts a flow chart of a method of reporting data according to an embodiment of the invention; - Figure 11 schematically depicts one or more steps of generating a history; - Figure 12 depicts a table of an exemplary report that may be displayed to a user; and - Figure 13 depicts a part of a report that has been transferred into the report data dictionary depicted in Figure 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Figure 1 depicts a flow chart of a known process for compiling a report from a data base 5. In step 1005, data 10 that is received from a data producing system 15 is transferred to the data base 5. The data may comprise data relating to the production of a machine or a state of a machine, logistical data, commercial data, such as for example data or information relating to shop systems for buying and selling an article, and/or data relating to point of sales (POS) system or the like. The data 10 may comprise a plurality of data records 20 that are collected in the data base 5. When a user requires information about the data records 20 in the data base 5, the user can request a report or analysis of the data records 20 to be initiated (step 1010). The report or analysis of the data records 20 can be performed when all the data records 20 are stored in the data base 5 (step 1015). In order to compile a report, all data records 20 that are stored in the data base 5 are analysed to determine whether a data record of the plurality of data records 20 is relevant in for the report.

For example, the data base 5 comprises a plurality of data records 20 relating to the sale of an article, such as for example relating to the time of the sale of the article, the store in which the article was sold, day of the sale and/or one or more properties of the article, such as for example a size or colour of the article. In this example, the data base 5 may comprise about 100 million data records. If a report about of how many articles with a certain property were sold, the each data record in the data base is read and analysed to determine which property the sold articles had. If in addition, it is desired to know how many articles were sold in a certain store, then again each data record in the data base is read and analysed to determine how many articles were sold in the store. If further information is required, such as for example the number of sales at a certain time, then again each data record in the database needs to be read and analysed.

This process may require a large amount of processing capacity and time, since all data records in the data base need to be read and analysed.

Figure 2 depicts a flow chart of a method of updating one or more reports according to an embodiment of the invention. The method comprises receiving data from a data producing system (step 2005). The data may comprise data relating to the production of a machine or a state of a machine, commercial data, such as for example data or information relating to shop systems for buying and selling an article, logistical data and/or data relating to point of sales (POS) system or the like. The data comprises at least one data record.

The method comprises analysing the received data (step 2010). The step of analysing the received data comprises determining based on one or more conditions associated with the one or more reports whether or not the at least one data record is needed in the one or more reports (step 2015). If it is determined the data record is needed in at least one or all of the one or more reports, then the method comprises updating the data record in the at least one or all of the one or more reports (2020). The step of updating the data record may comprise adding a new data record, changing an existing data record or deleting an existing data record in the at least one or all of the one or more reports.

If is determined that the data record may not be needed in the at least one or all of the one or more reports, then the data record may be entered into an archive.

When the data record is updated in some or all of the one or more reports, the data record is updated in the reports at the same time, e.g. substantially the same time, or in parallel. This may decrease the time and/or processing capacity necessary for updating the number of reports.

Figure 3 schematically depicts a flow chart of the steps of defining a data dictionary. The steps of defining the data dictionary may be part of or comprised in the method depicted in Figure 2. Alternatively, the steps of defining the data dictionary may be performed separately from the method depicted in Figure 2.

The data 305 received from the data producing system 310 may comprise a data structure 315. For example, the data structure 315 may comprise one or more data records, which may be associated with a respective data field of the data structure.

In embodiments where the steps of defining the data dictionary are part of or comprised in the method depicted in Figure 2, the method may comprise transferring the data structure 315 into an application layer 320, for example, of a user’s device (step 3005). The transfer of the data structure 315 into the application layer 320 may be required only once. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments, the data structure may be transferred into the application layer more than once.

Once the data structure 315 is transferred into the application layer 320, the data structure may be available to a computer readable medium, such as for example a random access memory (RAM), of the user’s device. In other words, the computer readable medium of the user’s device may be allowed to access the data structure 315.

The method may comprise defining the data structure 315 in the application layer of the user’s device. For example, the data structure 315 may be defined in the application layer 320 as a business object 325. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments, the data structure may be defined in the application layer as a data model, state object or state pattern, or data fields or the like. Alternatively, the data structure may be determined from the data producing system. For example, the data structure may be imparted by the data producing system. By determining the data structure from the data producing system, no definition, e.g. manual definition, of the data structure may be required.

Figure 4 schematically depicts a flow chart of the steps of defining or initialising a report data dictionary (RDD). The steps of defining the report data dictionary may be part of or comprised in the method depicted in Figure 2. Alternatively, the steps of defining the data dictionary may be performed separately from the method depicted in Figure 2.

In embodiments where the steps of defining the report data dictionary are part of or comprised in the method depicted in Figure 2, the method may comprise initialising or defining the report data dictionary. The method may comprise transferring a report 405 into the report data dictionary 412 (step 4005). The report 405 may be generated as part of the method disclosed herein. Alternatively, the report 405 may be generated using another method or process.

The report 405 may comprise a plurality of positions 415, which are indicated in Figure 4 as fields. The positions 415 may be arranged in at least one row and at least one column or a plurality of columns. In other words, the report 405 may comprise or define at least one row and at least one column. In the embodiment depicted in Figure 4, the report 405 comprises one row and three columns. It will be appreciated that the report disclosed herein is not limited to such arrangement and that in other embodiments, the report may comprise more than one row and/or less or more than three columns or be other forms of graphical representation. The report 405 may be transferred into the report data dictionary 412 once. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments, the report 405 may be transferred into the report dictionary more than once.

The method may comprise analysing the content of the report 405. The method may comprise classifying or arranging the report according to the type of information that is included in the report 405. Figure 13 depicts an exemplary report that has been classified or arranged according to the type of information. A content of the/each position 405 of the report, e.g. each position in a/each row of the report 405, may be described in one or more possibilities. For example, the content of at least one position of the report 405 may be described by an exemplary content, e.g. a specific time, a data field, such as sales of a shop, and/or with a desired name for a processing operation of a field of the report 405 to be calculated, e.g. a sum of two other fields in the report 405. The field may corresponding to the at least one position of the report 405.

At least one position of the report 405, e.g. each position in a/each row of the report, can be associated or assigned with a respective report constant. At least one other position of the report can be associated with a processing operation, such as for example a sum, multiplication or the like of two or more fields of the report. Each position in the report 405 is associated with a filter. The filter may be configured to determine whether the data record of the received data can be updated to a respective position in the report. The report constant, processing operation and/or the filter may determine the one or more conditions associated with the report 405. In other words, the report constant, processing operation and/or the filter may allow the determination as to whether the at least one data record is needed in the report 405, e.g. in at least one position of the report 405. The one or more conditions may be defined in the report data dictionary. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments only one or some positions of the report may be associated with the filter.

The association of at least one position of the report 405 with a report constant, at least one other position with a processing operation and/or each position with a filter may allow the setup of the report data dictionary. The report constants, processing operation and/or filter may be implemented, for example, using Structure Query Language (SQL) syntax.

Figure 5 schematically depicts an interaction between the data of the data structure 525, which is defined in this example as a business object, and the report data dictionary 512. The update of a data record to a report, e.g. at least one position of the report, may be determined by the conditions associated with the report. The report constant, processing operation and/or filter determines, in this example, the conditions that allow the update of at least one position of the report with a data record of the received data. The interaction between the data of the data structure 525 and the report data dictionary 512 may be provided by processing rules 530, which analyse what rule, e.g. processing operation may be used and/or which data record (referred to in Figure 5 as business objects) of the data structure 525 may be used to update, e.g. populate, at least one position of the report, for example based on the one or more conditions defined in the report data dictionary 512.

Figure 6 schematically depicts another method described in relation to Figure 2. As described above, the method comprises receiving data 605 from a data producing system 610. The data comprises at least one data record 605a.

The method comprises analysing the received data 605. The step of analysing the received data 605 comprises determining based on one or more conditions associated with the one or more reports whether or not the at least one data record 605a is needed in the one or more reports 635. This may include the interaction between the data of the data structure 625, which is defined in this example as a business object, and the report data dictionary 612, as described above in relation to Figure 5.

If it is determined the data record 605a is needed in at least one or all of the one or more reports 635 then the method comprises updating the data record 605a in the at least one or all of the one or more reports 635, as described above.

The at least one or all of the one or more reports 635 may be stored in the computer readable medium, which in this example is provided in the form of a random access memory (RAM). In other words, the update of the data record 605a in the at least one or all of the one or more reports 635 may be performed in the RAM of the user’s device. This may avoid the use of data bases or data banks and/or decrease a processing time of user’s device that may be needed for the update. In other words, the process of updating one or more reports may be become more efficient, due to the update of the data record in the at least one or all of the one or more reports being performed in the RAM.

If is determined that the data record 605a may not be needed in the at least one or all of the one or more reports 635, then the data record may be entered into an archive 640. The data record 605a may then be marked in the archive 640 as “not being required.”

Figure 7 schematically depicts a flow chart of the method of updating one or more reports. Figure 7 is similar to Figure 6, but does not depict the interaction between the data of the data structure and the report data dictionary 712.

The step of analysing the received data 705 may comprise analysing the report constant or processing operation that is associated with the at least one position or the at least one other position of the at least one or all of the one or more reports 735 and/or the filter that may be associated with each position of the of the at least one or all of the one or more reports 735, e.g. to determine whether the data record (not depicted in Figure 7) is required by at least one position of the at least one or all of the one or more reports 735. If it is determined that the data record is required by at least one or all of the one or more reports 735, e.g. the at least one position thereof, the method may comprise updating the data record in the at least one position 712a of at least one or all of the one or more reports 735, e.g. based on the processing operation or report constant and/or filter associated with the at least position 712a of the at least one or all of the one or more reports 735.

Figure 8 schematically depicts an example of the method of updating one or more reports. Figure 8 is similar to Figure 7. However, as can be seen from Figure 8, the step of analysing the received data 805 may be performed by a communication system of a user’s device, which in this example may be provided in the form of a BUS 840. The BUS may be configured to receive the data 805 from the data producing system 810. The BUS may be configured to analyse the received data to determine whether at least one data record 805 is needed in the one or more reports 835, e.g. based on the one or more conditions associated with the one or more reports. If it is determined that the data record 805a is needed in at least one or all of the one or more reports 835, then the BUS may be configured to update the data record 805a in the at least one or all of the one or more reports 835, as depicted in Figure 8.

Figure 9 schematically depicts another example of the method of updating one or more reports. Figure 9 is similar to Figure 6. As can be seen in Figure 9, when a/the data record has been updated in at least one or all of the one or more reports 935, the method may comprise associating the data record 905a with a reference or internal reference, e.g. to itemise the data record 905a. The reference may be stored in a reference archive 945. The reference may be indicative of the one or more reports 935 in which the data record 905a has been updated. The reference may be indicative of a filter, for example, associated with a data record of a position in a report 935. The reference may be indicative of a processing operation associated with a position in a report 935.

The reference may allow itemisation of at least one or each position in a report 935. For example, the reference may be used to indicate if a data record has been updated in a position of a report and/or a type of data record that has been updated in a position in a report 935. The reference may be indicative of a processing operation associated with a position in the report. The reference may be indicative of the fields of the report that have been used in the processing operation. The reference may allow for reprocessing of a report, e.g. with the data records or information stored in the reference archive 945. Itemisation may not be possible in known data warehouses or processes for compiling a report from a data base.

Figure 10 schematically depicts a flow chart of a method of reporting data. The method of reporting data may be part of or comprised in the method of updating one or more reports described above. Alternatively, the method of reporting data may be performed separately from the method of updating one or more reports. The method may comprise requesting a report to be initiated. The method may comprise displaying the report on a screen of a user’s device. At least one data record has been updated in the report using the method of updating data one or more reports described above.

The data records that are included or associated with a report may be stored in the RAM. By storing the data records that are included or associated with a report in the RAM, real time displaying of the report may be possible. In other words, when a data record has been updated in the report, an updated report may be displayed on the screen of a user’s device. This may allow for real time displaying of the data records included or associated with one or more reports.

Figure 10 depicts three reports 1035, each comprising or being associated with a respective data record 1005a. It will be appreciated that in other examples more or less than three reports may be used in the method. For example when a data record 1005a has been updated in at least one report 1035, the reference associated with the data record 1005a may be used to link the data record 1005a to data of the data structure, which in this example is defined as a business object 1025. This may allow for real time displaying of the data record associated with or included in the report 1035.

Referring to Figure 11, the method of updating on one or more reports and/or the method of reporting data may comprise of a report 1135. The report 1135 may be stored to create a history 1150, for example, of one or more data updates, e.g. during a pre-determined time interval. This may allow for comparison between reports that have been updated during a number of pre-determined time intervals.

The method may comprise storing the at least one or all of the one or more reports separately from one or more data records included in or associated with the at least one or all of the one or more reports. This may allow for the generation of a data mart. The method may allow a data mart to be generated from the one or more reports, for example without any input by a user.

Due to the creation of the history 1150, a history of the data records may be provided. The method may optimise the storing of the reports and/or data records. For example, if a data record of the data structure is included in or associated with a number of reports, the data record may only be stored once, e.g. in a data bank. The data bank may be, be part of or comprise the data producing system. The method may use an indicator or referrer to link the data record that is store in the data bank to one or more reports. This may allow for reduced storage capacity of the data bank. Due to the use of a data mart, the data records are available to a user.

The method(s) disclosed herein may allow for updating of one or more reports and/or reporting data without requiring a data bank. In other words, the method(s) disclosed herein may be performed in the RAM of a user’s device.

The reference archive 1045 and/or history 1150 may be provided in the form of a persistent data archive. When the archive and/or history is required, these may be generated by the method(s) disclosed herein.

The exemplary method(s) disclosed herein may be used by a user, who knows what type of information they require. This information may be structures and/or repetitive. The information may be provided, for example, in the form of the data records that are included or associated with the reports, described above.

The exemplary methods disclosed herein may find use, for example, in adword promotion. For example, an article, which in this example is provided in the form of a shoe, may be offered with a discount. The promotion is planned for 5am to 8am. The user has a number of online stores, such as for example 5 online stores. The user may interested in information relating to the number of articles sold, for example by a particular online store, so that he can adjust the promotion, such as the timing or countries in which it is offered. The methods disclosed herein allow the user to access the information relating to the promotion in real time. Figure 12 depicts a table of exemplary report, e.g. information, that may be displayed to the user, such as for example information relating to the promotion.

Embodiments of the invention may be implemented in hardware, firmware, software, or any combination thereof. For example, the exemplary method(s) disclosed herein may be performed on a server, such as an application server. The server may be configured to be compatible with, for example Java EE. The exemplary methods disclosed herein may be performed by, for example, a Microsoft NET Framework, an Oracle Application Server, an IBM WebSphere Application Server, a JBOSS Enterprise Application Platform, orWildfly.

The exemplary method(s)s disclosed herein may be performed in hardware, such as a databank .such as for example a databank that supports SQL. Exemplary databanks may include IBM DB”, IBM Inofrmix, Microsoft/Sybase, My SQL, Oracle, Sybase, SAP.

The exemplary method(s) disclosed herein may be performed on or by a hardware, such as a computer system, such as for example computer systems from IBM, Hewlett Packard/ HP Inc., Dell, Sun, Futjitsu, Intel, AMD, Lenovo, NCR, Oracle, Unisys.

Embodiments of the invention may also be implemented as instructions stored on a computer-readable medium, which may be read and executed by one or more processors. A computer-readable medium may include any mechanism for storing or transmitting information in a form readable by a machine (e.g., a computing device, which may be provided in the form of a user’s device). For example, a computer-readable medium may include read only memory (ROM); random access memory (RAM); magnetic disk storage media; optical storage media; flash memory devices; electrical, optical, acoustical or other forms of propagated signals (e.g. carrier waves, infrared signals, digital signals, etc.), and others. Further, firmware, software, routines, instructions may be described herein as performing certain actions. However, it should be appreciated that such descriptions are merely for convenience and that such actions i in fact result from computing devices, processors, controllers, or other devices executing the firmware, software, routines, instructions, etc.

To provide for interaction with a user, the invention can be implemented on a user device having a screen, e.g., a CRT (cathode ray tube), plasma, LED (light emitting i diode) or LCD (liquid crystal display) monitor, for displaying information to the user and an input device, e.g., a keyboard, touch screen, a mouse, a trackball, and the like by which the user can provide input to the computer. Other kinds of devices can be used, for example, feedback provided to the user can be any form of sensory feedback, e.g., visual feedback, auditory feedback, or tactile feedback; and input from the user can be received in any form, including acoustic, speech, or tactile input.

While specific embodiments of the invention have been described above, it will be appreciated that the invention may be practiced otherwise than as described. The descriptions above are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Thus it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that modifications may be made to the invention as described without departing from the scope of the claims set out below.

Claims

LU100277 PATENT CLAIMS

A method for updating one or more reports, the method comprising: receiving data from a data-producing system, the data including at least one data record; Analyzing the received data, wherein analyzing the received data based on one or more conditions associated with the one or more reports comprises determining whether the at least one data record is needed in the one or more reports; and if it is determined that the data record is needed in at least one or all of the one or more reports, updating the data record in the at least one or all of the one or more reports.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein when the data record is updated in some or all of the one or more reports, the data record is updated simultaneously or in parallel in the reports.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein, if it is determined that the data record is not needed in the at least one or all of the one or more reports, the data record is then entered into an archive.

The method of any preceding claim, wherein the received data comprises a data structure, the method comprising at least one of the following: transmitting the data structure to an application layer of a user device; Defining the data structure in the application layer of the user device; and determining the data structure from the data-producing system.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the data structure comprises or is defined as at least one of a data model, a business object, a state object or a state pattern and data fields and data fields.

6. The method of any preceding claim, wherein the method comprises initializing or defining a report data catalog, wherein initializing or defining the report data catalog comprises transferring the one or more reports to the report data catalog.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the method comprises associating or assigning at least one of at least one or each of the one or more reports to a respective reporting constant.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein the method comprises associating or assigning at least one other position of at least one or each of the one or more reports to a respective processing operation.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein the method comprises associating or assigning at least one or each position of at least one or each of the one or more reports to a respective filter.

10. The method of claim 6, wherein analyzing the received data comprises analyzing at least one of: the reporting constant associated with or associated with the at least one position of the processing operation associated with at least one other position is associated with, and assigned to, the filter associated with or assigned to the at least one or each position to determine whether the data report from at least one location of the at least one or all of the one or more several reports is needed.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein if it is determined that the data report from the at least one location is needed by the at least one or all of the one or more reports, the method includes updating the data record in the at least one location of the at least one of one or all of the one or more reports.

12. The method of any preceding claim, wherein when the data record has been updated in at least one or all of the one or more reports, the method comprises associating the data record with a reference to break the data record.

13. A method of reporting data, the method comprising: requesting the initiation of a report; and displaying the report on a screen of a user device, wherein at least one data record has been updated in the report using the method for updating data in one or more reports according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

A computer program comprising computer readable instructions configured to cause a processor to execute a method according to any one of claims 1 to 12 or claim 13.

15. A computer readable medium carrying a computer program according to claim 14.