Data processing: database and file management or data structures – Database design – Data structure types
Reexamination Certificate
1996-08-20
2001-06-12
Kulik, Paul V. (Department: 2177)
Data processing: database and file management or data structures
Database design
Data structure types
C707S793000, C707S793000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06247008
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to information processing and more particularly to database access systems and methods such as a relational database access system and method.
Relational database systems are well known in the prior art, and include tabular structures and structured query languages used for database queries. To aid in an understanding of the present invention, a glossary of terms is included hereinbelow.
Relational database technology has made possible an independence between the way data is physically stored and the way it can be handled logically. Relational technology has been widely accepted in business, industry and engineering as valuable for storing data.
Heretofore, most of the advances provided by relational databases has been limited to those users who understand the mathematical principles of relational algebra. Querying a relational database implies a good knowledge of Structured Query Language (SQL) and a good understanding of relational data structures.
Numerous information systems that hide the complexity of SQL and relational databases are based on predefined query techniques. Using those solutions, users can specify parameters in order to add some conditions, but they can never change the meaning of the result. The semantic components of the SQL language (joins and group functions) are stored in the body of the predefined query. When an MIS staff builds an infocenter solution they create user-dedicated tables, relational views or predefined SQL queries accessible by menu triggers.
Usually, if end-users want to change the meaning of a query, either they have to ask the MIS staff to program another query or they have to program the SQL commands themselves. If they do so they will encounter many problems:
the syntax of non procedural structured query language (in particular SQL) is complex.
the data structure is not adapted to the users' everyday work. Relational databases store information as well as relational data such as keys.
is the SQL query semantically correct? Although a query is syntaxically correct, results are not always reliable. SQL as a programmer language does not check the semantic of a query. A more concrete example is the SQL language producing totally a meaningless cross product. This represents a major limitation for end-user access to relational data.
GLOSSARY
The following is a glossary of some of the terms used in these technologies.
Data: Raw facts or values which are physically recorded and which can be extracted and objectively verified
Information: Anything learned from data, the “meaning” of the data.
Value: An amount of worth
Database: A computerized collection of data
Relational Database: A database in which all data are stored and organized in tables and in which each field containing a datum is equally accessible.
Relational Database Management System (RDBMS): The software environment supporting a Relational database.
Relational Database Terms:
Record: A collection of fields; the basic accessible element of a file.
Field: An elemental entity of a record.
Relation: An orderly arrangement of data in columns and rows; a table.
Attribute: A column of a relation, a field of a Tuple.
Tuple: A record of a relational database; one line or row of a table or relation.
Relational Structure: Set of Relations definitions
Business Objects specific Terms:
Infocenter: Environment in which the Users, without any technical knowledge, have “self-service” access to the information system, in a manner controlled by MIS staff.
Universe: An easy-to-understand partial or total representation of the database, designed for a particular application or group of users.
Business Objects: Objects corresponding to concepts close to the user's everyday business. They are defined by the Infocenter Manager and are the basic elements of a Universe.
Context: Set of logical equations linking tables (joins) providing a closed graph of table.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a new data representation and a new query technique which allow information systems end-users to access (query) database systems such as relational databases without knowing the relational structure or the SQL language. The present invention introduces the notion of semantically dynamic objects.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4930071 (1990-05-01), Tou et al.
patent: 5261093 (1993-11-01), Asmuth
patent: 5263167 (1993-11-01), Conner, Jr. et al.
patent: 5291583 (1994-03-01), Bapat
patent: 5295256 (1994-03-01), Bapat
patent: 5297279 (1994-03-01), Bannon et al.
patent: 5386556 (1995-01-01), Hedin et al.
patent: 5535389 (1996-07-01), Elder et al.
patent: 5550971 (1996-08-01), Bruhner et al.
patent: 5555403 (1996-09-01), Cambot et al.
“Muscle on the Mac—Andyne Computing Offers Powerful Graphical Interface Database Advancements”, Product Watch/Brian O'Connell, DEC Professional, Andyne Computing Ltd., Kingston, Ontario, Canada.
“Darwin: Merrill Lynch Develops a New Workstation Based on Wimdows 2.03”, Rizzo & Strauss, Microsoft Systems Journal, 1988.
David M. Kroenke, “Business Modeling with Semantic Objects,”Data Based Advisor, vol. 12, No. 12, pp. 1-4, Dec. 1994.*
“Visual Programming as an Interface Between Program and User”, S. Dahl et al., 1989 IEEE Workshop on Visual Languages (1989).
Using an ER Query and Update Interface for Rapid Prototyping of Hypertext Systems, B. Czejdo, Twenty-Third Annual Hawaii International Conference on System Science (IEEE Computer Society Press 1990).
“Uwer Oriented Data base Query with the Robot Natural Language Query System”, L.R. Harris, Third International Conference on Very Large Data Bases (Oct. 1997).
“User Interface for Structural Engineering Relational Data Base”, C. Howard et al., 4 Engineering with Computers 239-49 (1988).
“QBE/OBE: A language for Office and Business Automation”, IEEE (May 1981).
“Paradox 3: Neither Enigman nor Riddle”, S. Miastkowski et al., BYTE, First Impressions 109-11 (Feb. 1989).
“Office-by-Example: An Integrated Office System and Database Manager”, Whang et al., 5 ACM Transactions on Office Information Systems 393-427 (1987).
“Query by Example”, M.M. Zloof, AFIPS Conference Proceedings: 1975 National Computer Conference (AFIPS Press 1975).
“Office-by-Example: A Basic Language that Unifies Data and Word Processing and Electronic Mail”, M.M. Zloof, 21 IBM Sys. J. 272 (1982).
“Definition of Cigales: A Geographical Information System Query Language”, Database and Expert Systems Applications: Proceeding of the International Conference in Vienna, Austria (1990).
“A Visual Interface for an Object-Oriented Query in Relational Databases”, Kato et al., 19 Systems and Computers in Japan 62-69 (1988).
Data Prism Reference Manual, A Database Query Tool, Version 1.0 for Apple MacIntosh Computers, 1990, published by Brio Technology, Inc., 90 pages.
Data Prism User's Guide, A Database Query Tool, Version 1.0 for Apple MacIntosh Computers, 1990, published by Brio Technology, Inc., 61 pages.
Data Prism, A Database Query Tool, 1991, published by Brio Technology, Inc., 2 pages.
Data Prism, “This Picture is Worth Precisely 237 Words . . . of SQL,” published by Brio Technology, Inc., 1990, 4 pages.
IBM Data Interpretation System General Information, Sep. 1991, published by IBM, 105 pages.
Press Release, “Brio Technology, Inc. Ships DataPrism, A MacIntosh Based Graphical Query Tool For Relational Databases,” Released on Sep. 28, 1990, published by Brio Technology, Inc., 3 pages.
Coffee, “PC Environments Automate Applications,” PC Week/Reviews, Jun. 4, 1990, pp. 95 and 99.
Core International, “Installing NetWare Is as Easy as Taking a Drive Out of a Box . . . ,” PC Week/Application Development, May 15, 1989, pp. 56.
Higgings, “Metaphor Extends Reach of Its DBMS With IBM Host Links,” PC Week, Jul. 31, 1989, pp. 39 and 41.
LaPlante, “IBM Rolls Out Database Software for Executives,” Inf
Cambot Jean-Michel
Liautaud Bernard
Business Objects, SA
Kulas Charles J.
Kulik Paul V.
Townsend and Townsend / and Crew LLP
LandOfFree
Relational database access system using semantically dynamic... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Relational database access system using semantically dynamic..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Relational database access system using semantically dynamic... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2478497