Data processing: database and file management or data structures – Database design – Data structure types
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-23
2001-09-04
Choules, Jack (Department: 2177)
Data processing: database and file management or data structures
Database design
Data structure types
C707S793000, C707S793000, C707S793000, C707S793000, C707S793000, C705S001100, C705S035000, C345S215000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06285998
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates generally to computer-implemented database query techniques. More particularly, the invention provides a way to create and re-use database queries for execution against a database such as an investment database.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Investment databases conventionally store quantitative information regarding stocks, mutual funds, and other types of investments. Investors and financial analysts can query such databases using conventional database query tools and techniques. For example, an investor can query such a database to identify all stocks having a price-to-earnings ratio (P/E) less than 40 using a query string such as “P/E<40.” In such a query, “P/E” identifies a column in a database table, “<” indicates an operator to be applied in the query, and “40” indicates a desired value to which the operator will be applied in order to qualify the database query results. Users can also concatenate multiple criteria into a single query to create compound queries (e.g., “P/E<40 AND growth rate>10%”). With such compound queries, multiple conditions must be satisfied before a record is included in the query results.
One problem with conventional database query techniques is that it is difficult and cumbersome to save and reuse previous queries with slightly different parameters. For example, if an investor changed his investment interest to companies having a P/E<50 while leaving the other query parameters unchanged, he would have to save the query string, edit the string to locate the 40 and replace it with 50, and re-run the query. Additionally, the user may have difficulty remembering allowable values for fields that can assume only a predetermined set of values (e.g., the name for a particular industry), thus increasing the possibility of user input error. Where a large number of criteria are needed, these problems are compounded.
The “Access” database product sold by Microsoft Corporation provides a “parameter query” feature that permits a user to enter a parameter value at query execution time. As shown in
FIG. 15
, for example, a user can create a database query by selecting a field name (“LastName”) and specifying a text message that will be displayed when the query is executed. In
FIG. 15
, the user-specified text message is “What is the last name of the user you are looking for?” When the query is executed, the database query engine detects the special parameterized query and prompts the user to enter a value for the field, as shown in FIG.
16
. Consequently, one possible approach for implementing reusable database queries is to use a “parameter query” feature such as that found in the Access database product.
The techniques shown in
FIGS. 15 and 16
are generally not well suited for implementing reusable database queries, and incur high processing costs. For example, the database query engine runs until it hits a parameterized query such as that shown in
FIG. 15
, and then must stop the query until the user enters a value for the parameter. This wastes valuable processing time, particularly in a client/server environment where the database engine is located on a server computer and services a plurality of client computers. Moreover, the techniques shown in
FIGS. 15 and 16
are not particularly user-friendly and require substantial knowledge and typing on the part of the user. For example, the user must actually create a prompt and type it into the table shown in FIG.
15
. Such techniques would not be well suited for novice investors, for example, who may not be knowledgeable about databases and their modes of operation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an improved user interface and query method that permits a user to quickly specify field names, operators, and desired values. One or more of the desired values can be specified as an “ask me” value that will cause the user to be prompted, each time the query is executed, to supply a desired value prior to actually submitting the query to the database engine. The user can be presented with a “wizard-like” sequence of dialog boxes to supply all such “ask me” values in a compound query. Rather than presenting the user with arcane logical operators and a formalistic query language, operators and desired values are provided using ordinary English phrases. The user can then save the query for later re-use or modification.
Another feature of the invention prompts the user with a constrained list of possible values that a field can assume, forcing the user to select from the list rather than requiring the entry of a discrete value. When the user specifies an “ask me” value for one of these fields, the constrained list is presented to the user before the query is executed.
Yet another feature of the invention provides a “comparison pane” which permits the user to quickly compare an investment of interest (e.g., from the user's portfolio) to database query results on the same display. Investments of interest that match database query results are automatically highlighted on the display.
The invention can be implemented as an ActiveX® control or Applet that executes in a web browser on a client computer. The control communicates with a database engine on a web site via HTTP protocols in order to provide query results.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5371675 (1994-12-01), Greif et al.
patent: 5604854 (1997-02-01), Glassey
patent: 5963925 (1999-10-01), Kolling et al.
patent: 5966126 (1999-10-01), Szabo
patent: 5966695 (1999-10-01), Melchione et al.
patent: 5983200 (1999-11-01), Slotznick
patent: 6138130 (2000-10-01), Adler et al.
“Parameter queries feature of Microsoft Access 97”, Microsoft Office 97/98 Resource Kit, taken from (www.microsoft.com/Office/ORK/035/035.htm) Jul. 6, 1999, p. 4 of 23.
Black Neil W.
Kennamer Walter
Morrow Dan
Banner & Witcoff , Ltd.
Choules Jack
Lewis Cheryl
Microsoft Corporation
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