Data processing: database and file management or data structures – Database design – Data structure types
Utility Patent
1998-05-29
2001-01-02
Black, Thomas G. (Department: 2771)
Data processing: database and file management or data structures
Database design
Data structure types
C707S793000, C345S960000
Utility Patent
active
06169985
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a user interface and more particularly, to a user interface for database queries, where the relative positions of the selection criteria descriptions in the user interface determines how the selection criteria contribute to the selectivity of the queries.
2. Discussion of the Related Art
The prior art typically accesses a database for data employing a multitude of query applications by which a user defines selection criteria in the query interface. The query application typically uses Boolean logic to effectuate the particular selection criteria. The user often has to learn a different nomenclature for each of the query applications, as typically each performs their respective queries differently. This normally results in the user becoming frustrated and reluctant to use different query applications.
The conventional query applications have the selection criteria definitions inputted as text into the query application. Such a selection criteria text often includes expressions separated by Boolean operators and various syntactical constructs with, e.g., commas, parenthesis, etc. to effectuate the query. It is often difficult to apply the syntax properly to achieve the desired results. With a long selection criteria text the user either receives an error message due to improper syntax or receives a query result different than what was expected.
Furthermore, the prior art does not provide the user with information detailing the number of matches corresponding to the defined query prior to running the query. Therefore, the user must run the query without any information as to the efficacy of the present selection criteria. The lack of information as to the efficacy of the selection criteria text coupled with the inherent syntax problems that inevitably arise in defining the selection criteria have not been adequately addressed by the prior art.
What is desired is a user interface whereby the entry of selection criteria is performed in an intuitive manner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a method or system that presents a user interface and formats queries that substantially obviates one or more of the problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art.
An object of the present invention is the provision of a user interface that accesses a database based upon the relative positions, in the user interface, of the selection criteria defined in the user interface.
Another object of the present invention is the provision of a user interface that provides the user with data corresponding to the number of matches in the database corresponding to the present selection criteria as it is being entered, thereby enhancing the efficacy of the initial and subsequent queries.
Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.
To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described, the user interface includes a method of defining in a computer system a subset of entries in a database, where the subset of entries is defined by a query. An interface is displayed having a number of criteria description locations. The criteria description locations are positioned in rows where each row has one or more columns. A criteria description is created in the interface that corresponds to criteria, where the criteria define a corresponding subset of the database. Importantly, the relative location of the criteria description in the user interface determines how the criteria contribute to the selectivity of the query.
The query is executed based upon the relative positions of the data entered into the user interface and provides the user with selection efficacy data as the criteria are defined through the user interface. Furthermore, the user does not have to learn a different nomenclature of the user interface or different syntax rules.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.
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Almgren Jonas
Walsh Gregory Vincent
Wegbreit Eliot Leonard
Black Thomas G.
Epiphany, Inc.
Le Uyen
Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati
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