Data processing: database and file management or data structures – Database design – Data structure types
Reexamination Certificate
1995-11-20
2001-04-10
Hong, Stephen S. (Department: 2176)
Data processing: database and file management or data structures
Database design
Data structure types
C707S793000, C707S793000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06216139
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to the field of information processing and display by computers and, more particularly, to a computer-implemented method for sorting and displaying text data objects that permits rapid re-sorting and re-formatting of displayed text data objects.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELEVANT ART
Database management systems today generally provide for the creation, storage, and display of large quantities of both numeric and text data. For example, a company may maintain a database of employee payroll records. In such a database, a series of payroll checks to Jane Doe may be stored as a large number of records, all with identical data elements or parameters such as name, employee number, address, Social Security Account Number, gross pay, along with a unique date. An operator of the database can design tables that display selected records as rows with the data parameters arranged in a particular desired order. Mathematical operations can typically be performed on columns containing numeric data. However, the relationships between and among the data parameters of such a table may not be readily apparent. Typically, the purpose for reviewing such a table is to ascertain that all desired records are listed and that each record appears complete.
In the existing art, tabular displays of records can be designed as desired. However, if examination of a table suggests a change in a record or consideration of a different table format, the user must usually interrupt his or her current line of thought. Tabular data displays are seldom designed by those who will employ them for drawing conclusions, and seldom does the user of a table have ready ability to manipulate the database in order to reformat or rearrange the table. If a record needs to be changed or a new table format is desired, it may take considerable time to produce a table reflecting the changes. Even if the user is the operator of the database management system, time will be required and the user's current line of analytic reasoning may be lost.
Existing electronic spreadsheet programs, such as Lotus
1-2-3
™ and Microsoft EXCEL™, can also involve text and numeric data arranged in tabular form. Typically, each row in a table concerns a unique subject, and the cells making up the row contain textual or numerical data setting forth parameters or characteristics of the subject. For example, a row might represent a record concerning a particular city, and the cells would include text and numeric data that can be used in computations such as population, area or number of schools. Formulas can be entered into cells of the spreadsheet so that data pertaining to individual rows can be aggregated or otherwise manipulated. For instance, in a table listing population data for cities, a spreadsheet typically could provide a total of the population figures for selected cities. Current art also enables the operators of some spreadsheets to create three-dimensional graphs of numbers displayed in the spreadsheet, with each axis of the graph representing one of the parameters listed in the same row as the numbers. If there are more than three parameters, the operator can create several graphs with varying dimensions. Analysis of several such graphs can disclose relationships that cannot be perceived by looking at a single graph. The operator can usually, upon viewing a spreadsheet, relocate columns and rows. The operator cannot, however, easily and quickly revise the contents of a row; and spreadsheets typically do not have the capability to search for records rapidly.
Thus, while computer database management systems and spreadsheet programs with data-sorting capability have been widely available, existing systems and programs for sorting data may not adequately serve the needs of some users, especially those without specialized training or experience attempting quickly to discern relationships between and among elements in large sets of data. Existing programs typically focus on presenting the data, rather than on providing the ability rapidly to draw conclusions from the data. Frequently, in existing programs, it is not possible to select different sort parameters and differing subsets of the data without a series of precisely-specified steps that can frustrate a user interested in quickly pursuing many varying lines of thought. Often, operation of such programs requires substantial training, familiarity with user manuals and, in some cases, specialized personnel.
The present invention derives from the observation that individuals who must draw conclusions from tables of text data objects have needs not met by currently-available database management systems and spreadsheet programs. An individual's analysis occurs in the context of the broader range of knowledge and experience that he or she brings to the situation. Accordingly, this analysis will be enhanced by exercising personal control of the format of the presentation of text data objects. Users of databases need more than the ability to influence the design of the tables; they need the ability to relate interactively with the tables to quickly revise the format to match the rapid and complex probing of the thought process. In particular, users of databases need interactive capabilities (1) to change parameter values of individual text data objects contained in a table and immediately to see how that change affects the location of text data objects in the table; (2) to add or delete text data objects and immediately to see the results; and (3) to reformat tables displaying text data objects. Because these capabilities enable users quickly to perceive relationships between objects in several ways, analysis of individual text data objects as well as entire databases of text data objects can be enhanced. Perceiving those relationships rapidly, and in the context of other data and analytic intentions in the user's mind (including those generated intuitively during the processing) is called contextual data modeling.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF INVENTION
The present invention permits the use of a computer system rapidly to reformat displays of text data objects in terms of parameters chosen by the user, without the aid of an instruction manual and without extensive computer training. In this invention, a text data object is an item, such as a text record, to which parameters have been associated. One object of the present invention is to permit a user of a computer system equipped with an appropriate display device rapidly to switch from viewing a table of text data objects (e.g., action or project) sorted according to one or more parameters (e.g., date due) to viewing a table of the same text data objects sorted according to a different set of parameters (e.g., personnel assigned). Alternatively the user may choose to view different subsets of a set of text data objects. The invention allows the user, within seconds, to format and re-format displays of the same text data objects from several differing perspectives.
Another object of the present invention is to permit a user of a computer system to sort and display text data objects in terms of an ordering of parameters chosen by the user, and to permit the user rapidly to sort and display the same or different sets of text data objects according to the same or different parameters or the same or different orders of parameters.
Another object of the invention is to provide a simplified method for a user to select text data objects to be sorted and for choosing the format of a table for displaying the sorted text data objects.
According to the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, a method for using a computer system to sort and display text data objects is provided. According to the method, a Query dialog box appears on a computer controlled display device, such as a monitor. The Query dialog box displays each of a plurality of parameters that have previously been named by the user and associated with text data objects, and provides a space under each displayed para
Covington & Burling
Execware
Hong Stephen S.
LandOfFree
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