Method and system for replacing data in a structured design template

Abstract

A method and system for replacing data in a design template. An end-user may provide a dynamic, structured client data set to be adapted to a predetermined, structured design template (e.g., a map or report). A repository of design templates may be searched to discover a list of candidate templates that may be capable of matching the client data. The end-user may select a design template that may be capable of showing the client data. The server may match the client data to a data structure for a candidate design template by using a data replacement approach, such as a column/alias approach. The end-user may potentially enlarge the matching set by providing information to help the matching algorithm; for example, providing column aliases where the matching algorithm may match template data column and column alias names with those specified for the client dataset.

1 . A method, comprising:
 (A) receiving a user data set, the user data set including a first plurality of fields; and   (B) determining whether the user data set matches a design template, the design template including a second plurality of fields, based on a comparison between the first plurality of fields and the second plurality of fields.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the design template comprises one of a plurality of design templates including corresponding pluralities of fields, and wherein (B) comprises determining whether the user data set matches at least one of the plurality of design templates based on comparisons between the first plurality of fields and the corresponding pluralities of fields. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein (B) comprises determining that a plural subset of the plurality of design templates matches the user data set, and wherein the method further comprises:
 (C) presenting, to a user, output representing the plural subset of the plurality of design templates; and   (D) receiving, from the user, input representing a selection by the user of one of the plural subset of the plurality of design templates.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first plurality of fields has a first corresponding plurality of labels, wherein the second plurality of fields has a second corresponding plurality of labels, and wherein (B) comprises determining whether the user data set matches the design template based on a comparison between the first corresponding plurality of labels and the second corresponding plurality of labels. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the first plurality of labels comprises at least one of a first plurality of column names and a first plurality of column aliases, and wherein the second plurality of labels comprises at least one of a second plurality of column names and a second plurality of column aliases. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein (B) comprises determining whether the user data set matches the design template by at least one of determining whether the first corresponding plurality of labels match the second corresponding plurality of labels verbatim, and determining whether the first corresponding plurality of labels match synonyms of the second corresponding plurality of labels. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein (B) comprises determining whether the first plurality of fields is equal in number to or greater in number than the second plurality of fields. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 (C) receiving, from a user, input representing a hint; and   wherein (B) comprises determining whether the user data set matches the design template based on the hint.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second plurality of fields includes a data descriptor, and wherein (B) comprises determining whether the user dataset matches the design template based on a comparison between the user data set and the data descriptor. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein (B) comprises determining whether the user data set matches the design template based on a comparison between a data type of at least one of the first plurality of fields and a data type of at least one of the second plurality of fields. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein (B) comprises determining whether the user data set matches the design template based on a comparison between the user data set and a design template data set of the design template. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first plurality of fields includes a first field including a datum including a first value, wherein the second plurality of fields includes a second field corresponding to the first field, wherein the second field is associated with a domain membership function, and wherein (B) comprises determining whether the first value satisfies the domain membership function. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the domain membership function defines at least one of a range of values, a semantic meaning, and a phonetic feature, and wherein (B) comprises at least one of determining whether the first value is within the range of values, determining whether the first value has the semantic meaning, and determining whether the first value has the phonetic feature. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 (C) providing data from the user data set into the design template.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 (D) rendering the design template to provide a graphical representation of the user data set.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the design template comprises a template for at least one of a geographical map and a business report, and wherein (D) comprises rendering an image of at least one of the geographical map and the business report incorporating the user data. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 (C) prior to (B), receiving, from a user, input modifying the first plurality of fields to provide a first modified plurality of fields; and   wherein (B) comprises determining whether the user data set matches the design template based on a comparison between the first modified plurality of fields and the second plurality of fields.   
     
     
         18 . A method, comprising:
 designing a design template including a design template plurality of fields; and   storing the design template in a repository, the design template plurality of fields to be compared with a later input user data set plurality of fields.   
     
     
         19 . A method, comprising:
 (A) receiving a user data set, the user data set including a first plurality of fields; and   (B) determining whether the user data set matches a target data set, the target data set including a second plurality of fields, based on a comparison between the first plurality of fields and the second plurality of fields.   (E) automatic selection of one of the plural subset of the plurality of design templates based on prior user selections or system or user presets.