IP Verse

Automatic Routing Of Connection Requests In Business Intelligence (Bi) Tools

Patent No. US11120034 (titled "Automatic Routing Of Connection Requests In Business Intelligence (Bi) Tools") was filed by Sap Se on Nov 13, 2018.

What is this patent about?

’034 is related to the field of business intelligence (BI) tools and, more specifically, to facilitating connections between these tools and various data sources. Traditionally, BI tools include connection server software and database drivers within their installation packages, leading to large software bundles. This approach also duplicates enterprise software content and may cause compatibility issues between database driver versions on the BI tool and the enterprise server.

The underlying idea behind ’034 is to streamline the connection process between a BI tool and data sources by leveraging a middleware architecture and integrating a connection server with a BI platform. Instead of bundling connection software with the BI tool, the tool connects to a connection server that is part of the BI platform. This connection is facilitated by middleware, such as CORBA, enabling communication and data management between distributed applications.

The claims of ’034 focus on a system, method, and non-transitory computer-readable medium that enable a BI tool to connect to a connection server integrated with a BI platform. The BI tool initiates, connects to the BI platform (which automatically connects to the connection server), retrieves database coupling components (drivers) from the BI platform, displays these components to the user, and receives a selection to execute a query against the corresponding data source. The CORBA mode is used to retrieve the database coupling components.

In practice, a user initiates a BI tool, which then connects to the BI platform using a login. This connection automatically triggers a CORBA mode to connect to the connection server integrated within the BI platform. The connection server then retrieves a list of available database drivers from the BI platform. These drivers are displayed within the BI tool, allowing the user to select the appropriate driver for their data source. This selection enables the BI tool to execute queries and retrieve data from the selected source.

This approach differs from traditional methods by reducing the size of the BI tool installation, as it eliminates the need to bundle connection server software and database drivers. It also enhances security and transportability by leveraging the features of the BI platform. Furthermore, it ensures compatibility between database driver versions and simplifies the management of database drivers, as the BI platform administrator can control which drivers are displayed and available within the BI tool. The BI platform acts as a central point for managing database connections.

How does this patent fit in bigger picture?

Technical landscape at the time

In the late 2010s when ’034 was filed, self-service business intelligence (BI) tools were commonly used to analyze data from various databases. At a time when BI tools typically relied on database drivers to connect to these databases, the connection server software was often bundled with the BI tool's installation, making the overall software package relatively large.

Novelty and Inventive Step

The examiner approved the application because the prior art did not teach connecting a business intelligence tool to a connector server integrated with a business intelligence platform using middleware and features of the platform. This allows the connection to automatically connect the BI tool to the connection server and retrieve database coupling components from the business intelligence platform. While some prior art references disclosed similar methods of connecting a BI tool to a BI platform, they did not disclose a middleware architecture or the use of BI platform features for the connection.

Claims

This patent contains 18 claims, of which claims 1, 9, and 14 are independent. The independent claims are directed to a system, a method, and a computer-readable medium, respectively, all generally relating to connecting a business intelligence tool to a business intelligence platform using database coupling components. The dependent claims generally add details and limitations to the independent claims, such as specifying the use of CORBA mode and characteristics of the database coupling components.

Key Claim Terms New

Definitions of key terms used in the patent claims.

Term (Source)Support for SpecificationInterpretation
Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA) mode
(Claim 14)		“The connection between the BI tool and the connection server may use a middleware architecture. Middleware is software that connects two or more separate applications or systems. The middleware architecture may include a Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA) mode.”A specific type of middleware architecture used for retrieving database coupling components.
Connection server integrated with a BI platform
(Claim 1, Claim 9, Claim 14)		“Conventionally a self-service BI tool may consume connection server software that connects the BI tool to the different datasources (e.g., databases) to acquire the data from different datasources (e.g., databases).”A connection server that is part of a business intelligence platform.
Database coupling components
(Claim 1, Claim 9, Claim 14)		“Conventionally, each database vendor/owner provides a piece of software called a database driver. The database driver may implement a client-server protocol specific for a given database, where the protocol allows a client of the database store/retrieve data from the database. As used herein, the terms “database driver,” “database access driver,” “database coupling component” may be used interchangeably.”Software components that enable connection to a data source.
Initiate query control
(Claim 1, Claim 9, Claim 14)		“The BI tool 302 may include a user interface (UI) 304. The UI 304 may include a control 306 to initiate a query. The control 306 may be a button, a menu item, or any other suitable UI element.”A control that starts a query process.
Middleware architecture
(Claim 1, Claim 9, Claim 14)		“The connection between the BI tool and the connection server may use a middleware architecture. Middleware is software that connects two or more separate applications or systems. The middleware architecture may include a Common Object Request Broker Architecture (CORBA) mode.”An architecture that uses middleware to connect the BI tool to the connection server.

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US11120034

SAP SE
Application Number
US16189135
Filing Date
Nov 13, 2018
Status
Granted
Expiry Date
Jul 20, 2039
External Links
Slate, USPTO, Google Patents