Patent ID: 7743078
Filing Date: 2010-06-22
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A method of operating a database management system for integrating data from a plurality of data sources, said data sources being at least partially structured and comprising data objects each comprising data relating to one or more attributes of an entity; said method comprising steps of: (a) selecting, for each of a first and a second data source, an initial attribute or combination of attributes; (b) automatically selecting, in respect of said attributes or combinations of attributes of said first and second data sources, a candidate matching function from a set of possible matching functions, said matching functions relating to possible mappings between data relating to one or more attributes in said first data source and data relating to one or more attributes in said second data source; (c) applying said candidate matching function to data relating to said selected attribute or combination of attributes in said first data source to create possible data relating to said selected attribute or combination of attributes in said second data source; (d) deriving, from said possible data and from actual data in said second data source a disparity measure relating to an amount of disparity therebetween; (e) automatically selecting one or more different candidate matching functions from said set of possible matching functions, and repeating steps (c) and (d) in respect thereof; (f) establishing, from said candidate matching functions, a candidate matching function having a disparity measure indicative of the lowest amount of disparity, and designating said candidate matching function as a probable candidate matching function; (g) selecting, for each of said first and second data sources, one or more further attributes or combinations of attributes, and performing steps (b) to (f) in respect thereof whereby to establish probable candidate matching functions in respect thereof; and (h) determining, with reference to one or more of said established probable candidate matching functions, a probable correspondence between data objects of said first data source and data objects of said second data source.