Database search path designation method
First Claim
1. A method of designating a database search path:
- the method comprising;
a first step of displaying databases that can be search targets, in the form of figures on a screen;
a second step of designating individual figures and designating the databases corresponding to the designated figures as the first database and the terminal database; and
a third step of carrying out a chain-reactive retrieval of search keys and records by following two steps, one of said two steps comprising retrieving records by using a search key that is entered into a database and another of said two steps comprising entering a next search key contained in said retrieved records into next database through the search path candidates.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A search path can be easily designated between a plurality of databases for retrieving search keys and records from related databases in a chain-reactive manner. Databases that are potential search targets are displayed on a two-dimensional screen in the form of figures. Individual figures are designated using a pointing device and then key database A and terminal database D are designated out of databases A to F corresponding to the designated figures. Search keys and records are retrieved in a chain-reactive manner by following designated one or more of possible paths 302a and 302b that pass through the databases that exist between key database A and terminal database D designated on the screen.
-
Citations
19 Claims
-
1. A method of designating a database search path:
-
the method comprising;
a first step of displaying databases that can be search targets, in the form of figures on a screen;
a second step of designating individual figures and designating the databases corresponding to the designated figures as the first database and the terminal database; and
a third step of carrying out a chain-reactive retrieval of search keys and records by following two steps, one of said two steps comprising retrieving records by using a search key that is entered into a database and another of said two steps comprising entering a next search key contained in said retrieved records into next database through the search path candidates. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 19)
-
-
5. (Canceled)
-
6. A program for causing a computer to carry out a method of designating a database search path comprising steps of:
-
a first step of displaying databases that can be search targets, in the form of figures on a screen;
a second step of designating individual figures and designating the databases corresponding to the designated figures as the first database and the terminal database; and
a third step of carrying out a chain-reactive retrieval of search keys and records by following two steps, one of said two steps comprising retrieving records by using a search key that is entered into a database and another of said two steps comprising entering a next search key contained in said retrieved records into next database through the search path candidates. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 17, 18)
-
Specification