Creation of boolean queries by direct manipulation

• US 20060206459A1
• Filed: 03/14/2005
• Published: 09/14/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: MacLaurin, Matthew B.
• Application Number:
  US11/079,349
• Publication Number:
  US 20060206459A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/2423 Interactive query statement specification based on a database schema

Abstract

A data organization system that utilizes graphical interaction to effect Boolean queries. The subject invention provides for interactive graphical mechanisms that shield users from the semantics of the Boolean logic (e.g., “AND”, “OR”, “NOT”). These mechanisms facilitate the generation of Boolean queries via graphical selection and/or manipulation using iconic query objects. These objects can be interactively selected and/or manipulated by a user via any pointing device in order to create “AND”, “OR” and “NOT” Boolean expressions.

Claims

1. A system that facilitates querying data, the system comprising:

a component that displays a plurality of graphical indicia representative of content in a data store;

an interface component that converts a data selection request into a query operator, the data selection request employs the plurality of graphical indicia; and

a query component that processes the query operator to retrieve data from a data storage component.

2. The system of claim 1, further comprising a component that displays a representation of the retrieved data.

3. The system of claim 1, the query operator is a Boolean logic operator.

4. The system of claim 3, the Boolean logic operator is one of “

AND”

, “

OR” and

“

NOT.”

5. The system of claim 1, the data selection request is a grouping request, the grouping request relates to a metadata property of the content.

6. A user interface component that employs the system of claim 1 wherein the query operator is a Boolean “

AND”

operator.

7. A user interface component that employs the system of claim 1 wherein the query operator is a Boolean “

OR”

operator.

8. A user interface component that employs the system of claim 1 wherein the query operator is a Boolean “

NOT”

operator.

9. The system of claim 1, the interface component comprises:

a rule engine component that automatically instantiates a rule that implements a predefined criteria; and

a rule evaluation component that applies the rule with respect to grouping the retrieved data.

10. The system of claim 1, further comprising an artificial intelligence component that predicts a user intention as a function of historical user criteria.

11. The system of claim 10, the artificial intelligence component comprises an inference component that facilitates grouping the received data as a function of the predicted user intention.

12. A computer readable medium having stored thereon the components of claim 1.

13. A method for organizing data, the method comprising:

displaying a plurality of graphical indicia representative of content in a data store;

identifying a plurality of properties associated with the content;

selecting one of the plurality of properties; and

grouping the content into a plurality of collections based upon the selected property.

14. The method of claim 13, further comprising displaying the plurality of collections.

15. The method of claim 13, further comprising recursively grouping the content based upon one of a disparate property and a sub-property of the selected property.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

selecting a plurality of collections;

combining the selected plurality of collections; and

displaying the plurality of collections.

17. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

selecting an additional one of the plurality of properties; and

removing content that corresponds to the additional one of the plurality of properties.

18. A system for filtering data, the system comprising:

means for displaying content of a data store;

means for rendering a plurality of properties associated with the content;

means for selecting at least one of the plurality of properties;

means for grouping the content into a plurality of collections based upon the selected property; and

means for rendering the plurality of collections.

19. The system of claim 18, further comprising means for recursively grouping the content based upon one of a disparate property and a sub-property of the selected property.

20. The system of claim 18, further comprising:

means for selecting a plurality of collections;

means for executing one of a combine and a remove operation with regard to the selected plurality of collections; and

means for displaying the plurality of collections.