Control for selecting data query and visual configuration

• US 20050086207A1
• Filed: 10/16/2003
• Published: 04/21/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/16/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SAP SE
• Original Assignee: SAP AG (SAP SE)
• Inventors: Gross, Andreas, Guder, Heike, Heuer, Carsten
• Granted Patent: US 7,584,172 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/2428 Query predicate definition using graphical user interfaces, including menus and forms G06F16/2423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/248 Presentation of query results
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99933 Query processing, i.e. searching
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99943 Generating database or data structure, e.g. via user interface
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99945 Object-oriented database structure processing

Abstract

Searches in data repositories are facilitated by a control displayed in a computer user interface. The control is capable of presenting a plurality of search options that a user can select for execution. Each search option specifies both an associated predetermined query to be performed on a data repository and an associated predetermined visual configuration for displaying a result of the predetermined query. An input from the user is received that selects one of the plurality of search options presented by the computer user interface control. The predetermined data repository query associated with the selected search option is performed, and the result of the query is displayed using the associated predetermined visual configuration. Search options having identical predetermined queries may be associated with different visual configurations. Search options associated with the same visual configuration may have different predetermined queries. The queries may be defined by the user.

Claims

1. A method of facilitating searches in a data repository, the method comprising:

displaying a control in a computer user interface, the control being capable of presenting a plurality of search options that a user can select for execution, each search option specifying both an associated predetermined query to be performed on a data repository and an associated predetermined visual configuration for displaying a result of the predetermined query;

receiving input from the user selecting one of the plurality of search options presented by the computer user interface control; and

performing the predetermined data repository query associated with the selected search option and displaying the result of the predetermined query using the predetermined visual configuration associated with the selected search option.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein at least two of the search options specify a common predetermined query and different predetermined visual configurations.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein at least two of the search options that specify a common predetermined visual configuration specify different predetermined queries.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the data repository comprises data that can be associated into any of a plurality of key figures, and wherein the predetermined query specifies a key figure to be determined from the repository data.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the repository data associated with the specified key figure can be organized according to a plurality of characteristics, and wherein the predetermined query specifies that the key figure data be organized according to at least one of the characteristics.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the predetermined query specifies at least two key figures to be determined from the repository data.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the data repository includes a result of an executed data repository query, and wherein the predetermined query is specified to be performed on the result.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the displayed control presents the search options in response to input received from the user.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the displayed control presents a user-defined search option.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the input received from the user comprises a single action using the displayed control.

11. A computer user interface comprising:

a control presenting a plurality of search options that a user can select for execution, each search option specifying both an associated predetermined query to be performed on a data repository and an associated predetermined visual configuration for displaying a result of the predetermined query.

12. The computer user interface of claim 11, wherein a visual configuration comprises one selected from the group consisting of a table, a list, a map, a chart, and combinations thereof.

13. The computer user interface of claim 11, delivered to a customer as part of an application for managing the data repository.

14. The computer user interface of claim 11, wherein the control comprises a drop-down menu capable of presenting the search options.

15. A method of facilitating drill down queries comprising:

displaying a control in a computer user interface, the control being capable of presenting a plurality of drill down options that a user can select for execution, each drill down option specifying both a predetermined drill down query to be performed on data gathered in a database query and a predetermined visual configuration for displaying results of the drill down query;

receiving a command input by the user selecting a drill down option presented by the computer user interface control;

performing the drill down query associated with the selected drill down option on the data and displaying the results of the drill down query using the predetermined visual configuration associated with the selected drill down option.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the displayed control is capable of presenting at least one user-defined drill down option.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the displayed control comprises a drop-down list box that the user can activate to present the plurality of drill down options.

18. A computer program product comprising executable instructions that when executed instruct a processor to perform operations comprising:

display a control in a computer user interface, the control being capable of presenting a plurality of search options that a user can select for execution, each search option specifying both an associated predetermined query to be performed on a data repository and an associated predetermined visual configuration for displaying a result of the predetermined query;

receive input from the user selecting one of the plurality of search options presented by the computer user interface control; and

perform the predetermined data repository query associated with the selected search option and displaying the result of the predetermined query using the predetermined visual configuration associated with the selected search option.

19. The computer program product of claim 18, further comprising instructions that when executed cause the processor to perform operations comprising:

receive a user-defined search option and provide that the control is capable of presenting both the plurality of search options and the user-defined search option.

20. The computer program product of claim 18, further comprising executable instructions for managing the data repository.