System and method for providing access to databases via directories and other hierarchical structures and interfaces

• US 20010034733A1
• Filed: 03/02/2001
• Published: 10/25/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Radiant Logic Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Radiant Logic Incorporated
• Inventors: Prompt, Michel, Samuelson, Claude Y.
• Granted Patent: US 6,985,905 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 707/102
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/252 between a Database Management System and a front-end application
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/972 Access to data in other repository systems, e.g. legacy data or dynamic Web page generation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/954 Relational
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/956 Hierarchical
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99943 Generating database or data structure, e.g. via user interface

Abstract

A hierarchical/relational translation system is provided for enabling information from unrelated heterogeneous relational computing systems to be accessed, navigated, searched, browsed, and shared over a hierarchical computing system. In one embodiment, the hierarchical/relational translation system includes a virtual directory server for capturing information in the nature of relational database schema and metadata. The captured schema and metadata are then translated into virtual directories that are universally compatible with standard communication protocols used with hierarchical computing systems. A virtual directory of information organizes an index of data records and a standard addressing schema is provided to enable customizable access to relevant views of relational computing systems. Several embodiments for presenting the virtual directory information tree are included. In one embodiment, the virtual directory is displayed using browser format. In another embodiment, the virtual directory is presented in electronic mail format. Still, in another embodiment the virtual directory is presented over a wireless medium and through portable devices.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method for querying relational data through standard-based hierarchical views, comprising steps of:

accessing a first server from a client;

retrieving by the first server first schema stored on at least one relational data source;

translating the first schema into second schema, wherein the second schema includes the relational data having a hierarchy;

maintaining a virtual representation of the hierarchy; and

providing the virtual representation at the client.

2. A method for building standard-based hierarchical view definitions, comprising steps of:

capturing relationships and objects from a plurality of data sources;

mapping the relationships and objects captured into a set of hierarchical paths;

maintaining a virtual directory of the hierarchical paths; and

forming a combined presentation of the view definitions based on the hierarchical paths.

3. A method for building view definitions according to

claim 2

, further comprising the step of transferring the combined presentation to a client computer for display and modification.

4. A method for mapping views from a first system to a second system, the method comprising steps of:

accessing an intermediate system;

sending an instruction from the second system for the intermediate system to extract the views from the first system, the views being compatible with the first system;

accessing a virtual directory of hierarchical paths on the intermediate system, the hierarchical paths being derived from the views and compatible with the second system; and

navigating the hierarchical paths from the second system.

5. The method of

claim 4

, wherein the first system is a relational computing system, and the second system is a hierarchical computing system.

6. A system for building view definitions, comprising:

a server for accessing relational data in response to an instruction received from a client device communicatively coupled to the server;

coupled to the server, a database for providing the relational data;

a module for capturing the relational data from the database;

a module for converting the relational data into a set of hierarchical paths;

a module for maintaining a virtual directory of the hierarchical paths; and

a module for navigating the hierarchical paths from the client device.

7. A computer program product for mapping views from a first system to a second system, the computer program product stored on a computer readable medium, and adapted to perform the operations of:

accessing an intermediate system;

sending an instruction from the second system for the intermediate system to extract the views from the first system, the views being compatible with the first system;

accessing a virtual directory of hierarchical paths on the intermediate system, the hierarchical paths being derived from the views and compatible with the second system; and

navigating the hierarchical paths from the second system.

8. A computer program product for building standard-based hierarchical view definitions, the computer program product stored on a computer readable medium, and adapted to perform the operations of:

capturing relationships and objects from a plurality of data sources;

mapping the relationships and objects captured into a set of hierarchical paths;

maintaining a virtual directory of the hierarchical paths; and

forming a combined presentation of the view definitions based on the hierarchical paths.

9. A system for providing hierarchical representation of relational data, comprising:

a first server capturing the relational data from a database coupled to the server;

coupled to the first server, a virtual server mapping the relational data captured into a virtual directory of hierarchical representations; and

and interface application coupled to the first server for forming a presentation of the virtual directory for display.

10. A computer-implemented method of searching hierarchical views, comprising steps of:

accessing one or more data sources;

capturing schema associated with the data sources;

creating the hierarchical views from the schema captured;

creating a virtual directory server (VDS) based on the hierarchical views;

querying the VDS for selected ones of the hierarchical views; and

assembling a combined presentation of the selected ones of the hierarchical views for display.