Automated data analysis using combined queries

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11275730-B2
Application number	US-201916441921-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 14, 2019
Priority date	Nov 5, 2015
Publication date	Mar 15, 2022
Grant date	Mar 15, 2022

Abstract

A data analysis system is provided that enables users to perform complex data analyses based upon data that may be spread across multiple data sources. The data analysis system is configured to generate a combined query that is capable of extracting data from the multiple data sources. The user may provide analysis information describing the analysis the user desires to perform on the extracted data. In response, the data analysis system is further configured to automatically augment the combined query with program or code to implement the user-specified analysis. Execution of the augmented or modified combined query generates an analysis result set resulting from performing the user-specified analysis. The data analysis system provides a flexible and easy-to-use platform for a user, even a non-technical user, to perform complex data analyses using data stored in multiple different data sources.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A method comprising:
receiving, by a computer system, (i) a first single source query for extracting first data from a first data source and (ii) a second single source query for extracting second data from a second data source,
executing, by the computer system, the first query and the second query to retrieve respectively a set of metadata attributes for the first data source and a set of metadata attributes for the second data source;
generating, by the computer system, a base combined query based on the first single source query, the second single source query, the set of metadata attributes for the first data source, and the set of metadata attributes for the second data source;
executing, by the computer system, the base combined query to obtain a result set comprising the first data and the second data;
receiving, by the computer system, analysis information identifying analysis to be performed on the result set;
generating, by the computer system, a modified combined query based upon the base combined query and the analysis information; and
executing, by the computer system, the modified combined query to obtain a analysis result set.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the generating the base combined query comprises normalizing a first metadata attribute from the set of metadata attributes retrieved for the first data source with a second metadata attribute from the set of metadata attributes retrieved for the second data source.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the normalizing comprises:
determining the first metadata attribute has commonality with the second metadata attribute;
generating a mapping between the first metadata attribute and the second metadata attribute based on the determined commonality; and
adding mapping information to the base combined query indicative based on the mapping.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
receiving, by the computer system, additional or alternative analysis information identifying analysis to be performed on the result set;
generating, by the computer system, another modified combined query based upon the base combined query and the additional or alternative analysis information; and
executing, by the computer system, the another modified combined query to obtain another analysis result set.

5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
determining, by the computer system, a set of metadata attributes for the result set; and
outputting, by the computer system, the set of metadata attributes for the result set, wherein:
receiving the analysis information comprises receiving information indicating selection of a metadata attribute from the set of metadata attributes for the result set; and
the modified combined query is generated based upon the base combined query and the analysis information including the metadata attribute.

6. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:
generating, by the computer system, a visualization based on the analysis result set and user-specified criteria for the visualization; and
outputting, by the computer system, the visualization to a client device.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first single source query and the second single source query are received from the client device.

8. A non-transitory computer-readable memory storing a plurality of instructions executable by one or more processors, the plurality of instructions comprising instructions that when executed by the one or more processors cause the one or more processors to perform processing comprising:
receiving (i) a first single source query for extracting first data from a first data source and (ii) a second single source query for extracting second data from a second data source,
executing the first query and the second query to retrieve respectively a set of metadata attributes for the first data source and a set of metadata attributes for the second data source;
generating a base combined query based on the first single source query, the second single source query, the set of metadata attributes for the first data source, and the set of metadata attributes for the second data source;
executing the base combined query to obtain a result set comprising the first data and the second data;
receiving analysis information identifying analysis to be performed on the result set;
generating a modified combined query based upon the base combined query and the analysis information; and
executing the modified combined query to obtain a analysis result set.

9. The non-transitory computer-readable memory of claim 8 , wherein the generating the base combined query comprises normalizing a first metadata attribute from the set of metadata attributes retrieved for the first data source with a second metadata attribute from the set of metadata attributes retrieved for the second data source.

10. The non-transitory computer-readable memory of claim 9 , wherein the normalizing comprises:
determining the first metadata attribute has commonality with the second metadata attribute;
generating a mapping between the first metadata attribute and the second metadata attribute based on the determined commonality; and
adding mapping information to the base combined query indicative based on the mapping.

11. The non-transitory computer-readable memory of claim 8 , further comprising:
receiving additional or alternative analysis information identifying analysis to be performed on the result set;
generating another modified combined query based upon the base combined query and the additional or alternative analysis information; and
executing the another modified combined query to obtain another analysis result set.

12. The non-transitory computer-readable memory of claim 8 , wherein the processing further comprises:
determining a set of metadata attributes for the result set; and
outputting the set of metadata attributes for the result set, wherein:
receiving the analysis information comprises receiving information indicating selection of a metadata attribute from the set of metadata attributes for the result set; and
the modified combined query is generated based upon the base combined query and the analysis information including the metadata attribute.

13. The non-transitory computer-readable memory of claim 8 , wherein the processing further comprises:
generating a visualization based on the analysis result set and user-specified criteria for the visualization; and
outputting the visualization to a client device.

14. The non-transitory computer-readable memory of claim 8 , wherein the first single source query and the second single source query are received from the client device.

15. A system comprising:
one or more processors; and
a memory coupled to the one or more processors, the memory storing a plurality of instructions executable by the one or more processors, the plurality of instructions comprising instructions that when executed by the one or more processors cause the one or more processors to perform processing comprising:
receiving (i) a first single source query for extracting first data from a first data source and (ii) a second single source query for extracting second data from a second data source,
executing the first query and the second query to retrieve respectively a set of metadata attributes for the first data source and a set of metadata attributes for the second data source;
generating a base combined query based on the first single source query, the second single source query, the set of metadata attributes for the first data source, and the set of metadata attributes fo

Assignees

• Oracle Int Corp

Inventors

• Hsiao Eric
• Dang James
• Toillion Jeffrey
• Herwadkar Rahul V
• Zeng Leon
• Zhou Xiaochao

Classifications

• G06F16/2428

  Query predicate definition using graphical user interfaces, including menus and forms (G06F16/2423 takes precedence) · CPC title

• G06F3/0482

  Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus · CPC title

• G06F16/248

  Presentation of query results · CPC title

• G06F16/2425 Primary

  Iterative querying; Query formulation based on the results of a preceding query · CPC title

• G06Q10/06

  Resources, workflows, human or project management; Enterprise or organisation planning; Enterprise or organisation modelling · CPC title