Data lineage
US6343295B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 16, 1998 |
| Grant date | Jan 29, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 16, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S707/99944
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A system for tracking the lineage of data in a database. Data within the tables are tracked by attaching lineage information to the data, preferably, by adding a lineage identifier to each row in a table. Data that share a common lineage can be identified by virtue of sharing a common lineage identifier. The lineage identifier can then be used to trace the source of the data, i.e., data having a common identifier share a common history. Additionally, the lineage identifier can provide details about transformations undergone by the data. For example, the lineage identifier can act as a pointer to a detailed history files of operations that were performed on the data to transform it into its current form. Preferably, the lineage identifier tracks program modules as well as specific versions of the program modules that transformed the particular data under consideration.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.