Arrangement enabling thin client to access and present data in custom defined reports
First Claim
1. A method of forming a report definition file for governing access to or presentation of data from a database, the method comprising:
- inputting from a thin client, a set of report specifications; and
converting the set of report specifications into the report definition file, the report definition file being in a format defined by a markup language having user definable tags and that describes a relationship between a document'"'"'s content and structure.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
A report definition file (FIG. 7) that is in XML format governs access to and presentation of data from a domain database 364. The report definition file may be created by inputting from a thin client 200 (such as a web browser) a set of report specifications, and converting the set of report specifications into the XML-format report definition file. The thin client 200 may input the report specifications through a definition wizard 314 (step 502), or by direct entry of SQL commands that are interpreted by an SQL builder 332 (step 512). The report definition file is converted to SQL (step 606) to allow retrieval of the data for output to thin client 200.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of forming a report definition file for governing access to or presentation of data from a database, the method comprising:
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inputting from a thin client, a set of report specifications; and
converting the set of report specifications into the report definition file, the report definition file being in a format defined by a markup language having user definable tags and that describes a relationship between a document'"'"'s content and structure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 15, 16, 18)
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10. A method of outputting data from a database in a report governed by a report definition file, the method comprising:
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retrieving the report definition file, the report definition file being in a format defined by a markup language (XML) having user definable tags and that describes a relationship between a document'"'"'s content and structure;
converting the report definition file to a report file expressed in commands of a database query language (SQL);
retrieving the data from the database in accordance with the report file; and
outputting the retrieved data in a format governed at least in part by the report file. - View Dependent Claims (17, 19)
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12. The method of claim 11, wherein:
the database query language is standard query language (SQL).
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13. The method of claim 11, wherein:
the markup language is extensible markup language (XML).
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14. The method of claim 11, further comprising:
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presenting the (SQL) report file to the user; and
obtaining an input indicating the user'"'"'s approval of the report file.
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20. An arrangement for outputting data from a domain database in a report governed by a report definition file that is in XML format, the arrangement comprising:
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a definition wizard configured to provide report definition options to a thin client, and to input user selections through the thin client that govern creation of the report definition file;
an SQL builder configured to construct Standard Query Language (SQL) based on definition attributes generated from user inputs;
an XML engine configured to store, retrieve, transform, and process the XML-format report definition file based on either the definition wizard or the SQL builder; and
a data retriever configured to assemble and generate the data from the domain database in accordance with the report definition file.
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Specification