Reporting tools

• US 20060143162A1
• Filed: 10/24/2005
• Published: 06/29/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 10/22/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: MAHLE Powertrain, LLC (MAHLE-STIFTUNG GmbH)
• Original Assignee: MAHLE Powertrain, LLC (MAHLE-STIFTUNG GmbH)
• Inventors: Bolt, Louis S., Miller, Matthew M., Bernacki, Maryam
• Granted Patent: US 7,801,874 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 16/283 Multi-dimensional databases or data warehouses, e.g. MOLAP or ROLAP

Abstract

Reporting tools possess improved filtering, display and alerting methodologies offering enhanced versatility. According to one aspect of the invention, the method has an independent data filtering mechanism, an independent output function that populates an n-dimensional array, and an independent display function. According to a different embodiment, a set of parameterized query relationships organizes a series of data filters into a graphical representation of a parent/child hierarchy in order to execute a series of hierarchical queries where each simple query builds a final query that is complex. According to yet a further alternative embodiment, Boolean logic is used in a series of n-number hierarchical filters, and a combination of n-number outputs, to generate notification in the form of emails/messages/etc. based on data that is dynamically entered into the system.

Claims

1. A software tool for reporting aspects of a database, comprising:

one or more user-defined data filters, each operative to query the database and deliver results based upon the query;

one or more user-defined output functions, each operative to analyze the outputs of the data filters and generate an output type;

one or more user-defined display functions, each operative to display the output type as a different graphical representation.

2. The software tool of claim 1, wherein for each filter that is executed, the user can choose an independent output, display, or both.

3. The software tool of claim 1, wherein parent-child relationships are used to organize the data filters into a hierarchical series of simple queries.

4. The software tool of claim 1, further including an alerting system that responds to an output or filter.

5. The software tool of claim 4, wherein the alert is in the form of a message via a chosen means of communication.

6. The software tool of claim 4, wherein the alert results from the analysis of a set of “

n”

outputs and filters using macros and Boolean logic.

7. The software tool of claim 4, wherein the alert is a separate data query that executes on an output or filter with a particular frequency.

9. The software tool of claim 1, wherein previously generated outputs are used as inputs to an alerting system.

8. The software tool of claim 8, wherein a user inputs the query by responding to system-generated questions.

10. An improved reporting method, comprising the step of:

using parent-child relationships to organize data filters into a hierarchical series of simple queries, thereby creating child filters operative to limit the domain based on a parent filter'"'"'s output.

11. A reporting method adapted for use with a computer database, comprising the step of:

user-defining one or more data filters, output functions and display functions;

applying at least one of the filters to query the database and deliver results based upon the query;

applying at least one of the output functions to analyze the outputs of the data filters and generate an output type; and

applying at least one of the display functions to display the output type as a desired graphical representation.

12. The reporting method of claim 11, wherein, for each filter that is applied, the user can choose an independent output, display, or both.

13. The reporting method of claim 11, further including the use of parent-child relationships to organize the data filters into a hierarchical series of simple queries.

14. The reporting method of claim 11, further including the step of providing an alert system that responds to an output or filter.

15. The reporting method of claim 14, wherein the alert is in the form of a message via a chosen means of communication.

16. The reporting method of claim 14, wherein the alert results from the analysis of a set of “

n”

outputs and filters using macros and Boolean logic.

17. The reporting method of claim 14, wherein the alert is a separate data query that executes on an output or filter with a particular frequency.

19. The reporting method of claim 11, wherein previously generated outputs are used as inputs to an alerting system.

18. The reporting method of claim 18, wherein a user inputs the query by responding to system-generated questions.