System for editing query conditions, calculations, formulas and equations

• US 20020099743A1
• Filed: 01/22/2001
• Published: 07/25/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 01/22/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Oracle International Corporation (Oracle Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Oracle Corporation
• Inventors: Broek, Hendrik van den, Vonarburg, Dominique, Gold, Karen B., Workman, Daniel B., Obradovic, Katarina, Alexander, Robert B., Meadors, James M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,685,507 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/205
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/94 Hypermedia Hyperlinking G06F40/134
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/9558 Details of hyperlinks; Management of linked annotations
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0481 based on specific properties of the displayed interaction object or a metaphor-based environment, e.g. interaction with desktop elements like windows or icons, or assisted by a cursor's changing behaviour or appearance

Abstract

Editing query conditions, calculations, formulas and equations, or any other parts of a form includes providing a hyperlink for an element in the form to indicate to a user that a control is available for the element. Upon a selection of the hyperlink by the user, the control is presented for user interaction. Upon completion of user interaction with the control, the element is replaced with a new element responsive to user action. The control can be a list of choices, such as a pull-down menu, a dialog box, or a text entry field. The hyperlink can be color coded and underlined.

Claims

1. A computer method for editing a form, comprising:

displaying a hyperlink for an element in the form, to indicate to a user that a control is available for the element;

upon a selection of the hyperlink by the user, presenting the control for user interaction; and

upon completion of user interaction with the control, replacing the element with a new element responsive to user action.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the form is a database query.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the form is a spreadsheet.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the element is part of a calculation.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the element is part of a formula.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the control is a list of choices.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the list of choices is a pull-down menu.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the control is a dialog box.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the control is a text entry field.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

upon completion of user interaction with the control, replacing the element with a new element responsive to user action, wherein

the control is selected from a group of controls consisting of a list, a dialog box and a text entry field.

11. A computer system for editing a form, comprising:

a user interface for displaying information to a user and for accepting input from the user;

a hyperlink displayed on the user interface for an element in the form, to indicate to the user that a control is available for the element;

upon a selection of the hyperlink by the user, the control displayed on the user interface for user interaction; and

upon completion of user interaction with the control, a new element responsive to user action replacing the element.

12. The computer system of claim 11, wherein the control is selected from a group of controls consisting of a list, a dialog box and a text entry field.

13. A computer program product for editing a form, the computer program product comprising a computer usable medium having computer readable code thereon, including program code which:

displays a hyperlink for an element in the form, to indicate to a user that a control is available for the element;

upon a selection of the hyperlink by the user, presents the control for user interaction; and

upon completion of user interaction with the control, replaces the element with a new element responsive to user action.

14. A computer data signal embodied in a carrier wave for editing a form, comprising:

a program code segment for displaying a hyperlink for an element in the form, to indicate to a user that a control is available for the element;

a program code segment for presenting, upon a selection of the hyperlink by the user, the control for user interaction; and

a program code segment for replacing, upon completion of user interaction with the control, the element with a new element responsive to user action.