System and method for real-time validation of structured data files

• US 20040189708A1
• Filed: 03/28/2003
• Published: 09/30/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/28/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Narendran, Arungundram, Bath, Kamaljit S., Levenkov, Alexei, Shur, Andrey, Sikchi, Prakash, Larcheveque, Jean-Marie H., Selim, Nora S., Catorcini, Alessandro, Ardeleanu, Adriana
• Granted Patent: US 7,913,159 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/780
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/566 Dynamic detection, i.e. detection performed at run-time, e.g. emulation, suspicious activities
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/143 Markup, e.g. Standard Generalized Markup Language [SGML] or Document Type Definition [DTD]
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/174 Form filling; Merging
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/221 Parsing markup language streams streaming G06F40/149
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/226 Validation

Abstract

A system and method validating entry of data into a structured data file in real-time is described. The system and method also described a real-time validation tool that enables a developer to create custom validation rules. These custom validation rules can include preset validation rules, which the real-time validation tool enables a developer to create in an easy-to-use way.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving data intended for storage in a node of a hierarchical data file; and

validating the data received prior to receiving other data intended for storage into another node of the hierarchical data file.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the validating is performed in real-time.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing an alert if the data received is not valid.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing an alert if the data received is not valid, wherein the alert includes information related to the invalid data.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising providing an alert if the data received is not valid, wherein the alert marks a data-entry field mapped to the node.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the hierarchical data file is written in XML.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the data is received from a user entering the data into a data-entry field of an electronic form, and the data-entry field is associated with the node of the hierarchical data file.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the data is received from a user entering the data into a data-entry field that is associated with the node of the hierarchical data file, and further comprising alerting the user if the data received is invalid.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the data is received from a user entering the data into a data-entry field that is associated with the node of the hierarchical data file, and further comprising alerting the user with information related to the data if the data is invalid.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the data is received from a user entering the data into a data-entry field that is associated with the node of the hierarchical data file, and further comprising alerting the user by marking the data-entry field containing the data if the data is invalid.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein the data is received from a user entering the data into a data-entry field that is associated with the node of the hierarchical data file, and further comprising alerting the user by marking the data-entry field containing the data by outlining the data-entry field with a red, dashed-lined box if the data is invalid.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein the data is received from a user entering the data into a data-entry field that is associated with the node of the hierarchical data file, and further comprising alerting the user by marking the data-entry field containing the data with a solid red underline beneath the data in the data-entry.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein the data is received from a user entering the data into an electronic form through a data-entry field associated with the node of the hierarchical data file and further comprising enabling the user to input second data into a new data-entry field in the electronic form if the data received is invalid.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the data is received from a user entering the data into an electronic form through a data-entry field associated with the node of the hierarchical data file and further comprising preventing the user from editing a new data-entry field in the electronic form if the data received is invalid.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the data is received from a user entering the data into an electronic form through a data-entry field associated with the node of the hierarchical data file and further comprising enabling the user to enter data into another data-entry field in the electronic form if the data received is valid.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the data is received from a user entering the data into an electronic form written in XHTML.

17. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

displaying an electronic form with a data-entry field mapped to the node; and

1enabling a user to input the data into the data-entry field.

18. A computer-readable medium comprising computer-executable instructions that perform the method of claim 1 when executed by a computer.

19. A method comprising:

displaying an electronic form with first and second data-entry fields associated with first and second nodes in a hierarchical data file;

enabling a user to input data into the first data-entry field;

receiving data input into the first data-entry field;

validating the data to determine if the data is valid or invalid; and

enabling the user to input data into the second data-entry field if the data is valid, or alerting the user if the data is invalid.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

enabling the user to input data into the second data-entry field if the data is invalid.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein alerting the user includes marking the first data-entry field.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein alerting the user includes presenting a dialog box informing the user that the data input is invalid.

23. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

requiring the user to correct the data input into the first data-entry field if the data is invalid.

24. The method of claim 19, wherein validating the data is performed with a validation rule.

25. The method of claim 19, wherein validating the data is performed with a validation rule including a reference to a third data-entry field.

26. The method of claim 19, wherein validating the data is performed with a validation rule including a reference to a third data-entry field and alerting the user includes marking the first data-entry field and the third data-entry field.

27. The method of claim 19, wherein validating the data is performed with a validation rule based on a part of a schema governing the first node.

28. The method of claim 19, wherein validating the data is performed with a validation rule written in script and associated with the first node.

29. The method of claim 19, wherein validating the data is performed with a validation rule written in a declarative syntax and associated with the first node.

30. A computer-readable medium comprising computer-executable instructions that perform the method of claim 19 when executed by a computer.

31. A user interface comprising:

an electronic form containing a data-entry field mapped to a node of a hierarchical data file;

an interface to enable a user to input data into the data-entry field; and

an alert area near the data-entry field indicating that the data input is invalid.

32. The user interface of claim 31, wherein the alert area includes graphics surrounding the data-entry field.

33. The user interface of claim 31, wherein the alert area surrounds the data-entry field and includes graphics containing a red, dashed-lined box.

34. The user interface of claim 31, wherein the alert area includes graphics highlighting the data.

35. The user interface of claim 31, wherein the alert area surrounds the data-entry field and includes the graphics containing a squiggly line beneath the data.

36. The user interface of claim 31, wherein the alert area includes text containing information about the invalid data.

37. The user interface of claim 31, wherein the alert area includes text containing information about the data-entry field.

38. The user interface of claim 31, wherein the alert area includes a pop-up window.

39. A system comprising:

a user-input device;

a computer having a display;

a user interface executable on the computer and configured to;

display in the display an electronic form containing a data-entry field mapped to a node of a hierarchical data file; and

receive data input into the data-entry field;

the user input device facilitating a user'"'"'s input of data into the data-entry field, and

a real-time validation tool application executable on the computer and configured to validate, in real-time, the data input into the data-entry field against one or more validation rules associated with the node of the hierarchical data file.

40. An apparatus comprising:

means for displaying an electronic form with data-entry fields associated with nodes of a hierarchical data file;

means for enabling a user to input data into a first data-entry field of the data-entry fields;

means for receiving data input into the first data-entry field;

means for validating the data to determine if the data is valid or invalid; and

means for enabling the user to input data into a second data-entry field of the data-entry fields if the data is valid, or alerting the user if the data is invalid.

41. A method comprising:

enabling selection of a node of a data file;

receiving selection of the node;

enabling selection of a preset validation rule for the node;

receiving selection of the preset validation rule; and

associating the preset validation rule with the node.

42. The method of claim 41, further comprising:

enabling selection of information to be presented if the preset validation rule is violated; and

associating the information with the node.

43. The method of claim 41, further comprising:

enabling selection of graphics to be presented if the preset validation rule is violated; and

associating the graphics with the node.

44. The method of claim 41, wherein enabling selection of the preset validation rule includes presenting a list of validation rules.

45. The method of claim 41, wherein enabling selection of the preset validation rule includes presenting a list of validation rules and the list includes a type of present validation rule requiring data to be within a certain range.

46. The method of claim 41, wherein enabling selection of the preset validation rule includes enabling selection of a validation rule requiring data to be within a certain range, and further comprises enabling selection of text or numerals setting one or more bounds of the certain range.

47. The method of claim 41, wherein enabling selection of the preset validation rule includes presenting a list of validation rules including a type of present validation rule requiring data to be numerical.

48. The method of claim 41, wherein enabling selection of the preset validation rule includes presenting a list of validation rules including a type of present validation rule requiring data to be textual.

49. The method of claim 41, wherein enabling selection of the preset validation rule includes presenting a list of validation rules including a type of present validation rule referencing another node in the data file.

50. The method of claim 41, wherein enabling selection of the preset validation rule includes presenting a list of validation rules including a type of present validation rule referencing another node in the data file, and further comprising enabling selection of the referenced node.

51. The method of claim 41, wherein enabling selection of the node includes presenting an icon representing the node of the data file.

52. The method of claim 41, wherein enabling selection of the node includes presenting a data-entry field associated with the node of the data file.

53. The method of claim 41, wherein associating the preset validation rule with the node includes mapping the preset validation rule to the node.

54. The method of claim 41, wherein associating the preset validation rule with the node includes mapping the preset validation rule to the node with an XPath expression.

55. The method of claim 41, wherein associating the preset validation rule with the node includes use of a declarative syntax.

56. The method of claim 41, wherein the data file is hierarchical.

57. The method of claim 41, wherein the data file is written in XML.

58. A computer-readable medium comprising computer-executable instructions that perform the method of claim 41 when executed by a computer.

59. A method comprising:

enabling selection of a node of a data file;

receiving selection of the node;

enabling input of a script-based validation rule for the node;

receiving the script-based validation rule; and

associating the script-based validation rule with the node.

60. The method of claim 59, wherein enabling selection of the node includes presenting an icon representing the node of the data file.

61. The method of claim 59, wherein enabling selection of the node includes presenting a data-entry field associated with the node of the data file.

62. The method of claim 59, wherein enabling input of the script-based validation rule includes presenting a pre-constructed framework of script related to the node.

63. The method of claim 59, wherein associating the script-based validation rule with the node includes mapping the script-based validation rule to the node.

64. The method of claim 59, wherein associating the script-based validation rule with the node includes mapping the script-based validation rule to the node with an XPath expression.

65. The method of claim 59, wherein associating the script-based validation rule with the node includes mapping the script-based validation rule to the node with an event handler.

66. The method of claim 59, wherein associating the script-based validation rule with the node includes mapping the script-based validation rule to the node with an event handler that determines when a real-time validation tool uses the script-based validation rule.

67. The method of claim 59, wherein associating the script-based validation rule with the node includes mapping the script-based validation rule to the node with an event handler that determines when a real-time validation tool uses the script-based validation rule before data received for the node is held by the data file.

68. The method of claim 59, wherein associating the script-based validation rule with the node includes mapping the script-based validation rule to the node with an event handler that determines when a real-time validation tool uses the script-based validation rule after data received for the node is held by the data file.

69. A computer-readable medium comprising computer-executable instructions that perform the method of claim 59 when executed by a computer.

70. A user interface comprising:

an electronic form containing data-entry fields;

an interface to enable a developer to select a data-entry field; and

a validation screen containing validation options for the selected data-entry field,

wherein the interface enables the developer to select one of the validation options.

71. The user interface of claim 70, wherein the validation options enable selection of a preset validation rule and a script-based validation rule.

72. The user interface of claim 70, further comprising:

an event area to enable the developer to select when a script-based validation rule will be used to validate data by a real-time validation tool.

73. The user interface of claim 70, further comprising:

a script entry area to enable the developer to input a script-based validation rule.

74. The user interface of claim 70, wherein the validation options include a list of preset validation rules.

75. The user interface of claim 74, wherein the validation options include a validation field to enable the developer to input criteria for the selected preset validation rule.

76. The user interface of claim 74, further comprising:

an information alert option area including one or more fields to enable the developer to input alert information for a preset validation rule selected from the validation options.

77. The user interface of claim 74, further comprising an information alert option area including one or more fields to enable the developer to input alert information for a preset validation rule selected from the validation options, and presentation options to enable the developer to select how the input alert information is presented.

78. A system comprising:

a user-input device;

a computer having a display;

a user interface executable on the computer and configured to;

display nodes or data-entry fields in the display;

receive input selecting a node or data-entry field;

display validation options for the selected node or data-entry field; and

receive input selecting one or more of the validation options,

the user input device facilitating a developer'"'"'s selection of the node or data-entry to field and the validation option, and

a real-time validation tool application executable on the computer and configured to create a validation rule for the selected node or data-entry field based on the selected validation option.

79. An apparatus comprising:

means for displaying a node of a data file;

means for selecting the node;

means for receiving selection of the node;

means for displaying validation rule options for the node;

means for selecting the validation rule option;

means for receiving the selection of the validation rule option;

means for building from the selection of the validation rule option a validation rule for the selected node; and

means for associating the validation rule with the selected node.