Dynamic generation of form pages for accessing a database

• US 20070055924A1
• Filed: 09/08/2005
• Published: 03/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Topvue Defense, Inc. (Unison Software, Inc. (Virginia))
• Original Assignee: William Farr
• Inventors: Farr, William, Penrod, Scot
• Granted Patent: US 7,827,478 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 715/207
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/174 Form filling; Merging

Abstract

Systems and methods for generating dynamic form pages for accessing a database. An item model is stored in the database and defines attributes or characteristics of item types. The item model is separate from the actual data and from the data model. When a form page is requested, the page is dynamically generated by accessing the item model based on the requested form. The page is then displayed to the user. Data can be included in the page as necessary. Form pages can be generated on the fly and can automatically adapt to changes in the definition of the item model.

Claims

1. A method for dynamically generating a page to access a database, the method comprising:

receiving input from a user selecting a first form for accessing a database;

dynamically generating a first page using the first form by accessing at least an item model, wherein the item model includes a definition of an item type; and

displaying the first page to a user, the first page enabling the user to access the database.

2. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein receiving input from a user selecting a first form for accessing a database further comprises identifying the item type.

3. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein dynamically generating a first page using the first form further comprises accessing the item model associated with the item type identified from the input.

4. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein dynamically generating a first page using the first form further comprises accessing a data model.

5. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein dynamically generating a first page using the first form further comprises at least one of:

accessing item rules of the item model;

accessing item display fields of the item model;

accessing item buttons of the item model;

accessing item tabs of the item model;

accessing item rights of the item model, and

accessing item history of the item model.

6. A method as defined in claim 1, further comprising formulating a generating a database query based on additional input received into the first page.

7. A method as defined in claim 6, further comprising returning results of the database query, wherein the results are in an XML formal.

8. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein receiving input from a user selecting a first form further comprises at least one of:

selecting a form for item properties;

selecting a form for item edit;

selecting a form for item insert;

selecting a form for item delete;

selecting a form for item search;

selecting a form for item relate; and

selecting a form for item list.

9. A method as defined in claim 1, wherein dynamically generating a first page using the first form by accessing at least an item model further comprises identifying a particular combination of rules, display fields, buttons, tabs, rights, and history to be included in the first page and that are associated with the first form.

10. A computer readable medium having computer executable instructions for performing the method of claim 1.

11. A method for dynamically generating a page to access a database, the method comprising:

accessing an item model based on both a particular item type and on a particular form;

identifying one or more of rules, display fields, buttons, tabs, rights, or history in the item model that are associated the particular form; and

generating a first page using the one or more of rules, display fields, buttons, tabs, rights, or history included the item model.

12. A method as defined in claim 11, wherein accessing an item model based on both a particular item type and on a particular form further comprises receiving input from a user that identifies the particular form.

13. A method as defined in claim 12, wherein receiving input from a user that identifies the particular form further comprises one or more of:

receiving input that identifies the particular form for item properties;

receiving input that identifies the particular form for item edit;

receiving input that identifies the particular form for item insert;

receiving input that identifies the particular form for item delete;

receiving input that identifies the particular form for item search;

receiving input that identifies the particular form for item relate. and

receiving input that identifies the particular form for item list.

14. A method as defined in claim 11, wherein identifying one or more of rules, display fields, buttons, tabs, rights, or history in the item model that are associated the particular form further comprises at least one of:

accessing item rules to identify rules associated with the particular form;

accessing item display to identify display fields to be included in the first page;

accessing item buttons to identify buttons to be included in the first page;

accessing item tabs to be included in a tab view of the first page;

accessing item rights to establish a security of the first page, and

accessing item history to capture item attribute changes of the first page.

15. A method as defined in claim 14, further comprising generating a second page based on input received from the user in the first page, wherein generating the second page further comprises accessing the item model.

16. A method as defined in claim 12, further comprising receiving additional input from a user into the first page.

17. A method as defined in claim 16, further comprising generating a database query based on the additional input.

18. A method as defined in claim 17, further comprising returning results to the database query in an XML format.

19. A method as defined in claim 11, further comprising accessing actual data based on the definitions in the item model, wherein the actual data is included in the first page.

20. A method as defined in claim 11, wherein dynamically generating a first page using the first form by accessing at least an item model,

21. A computer readable medium having computer executable instructions for performing the method of claim 11.

23. A data structure as defined in claim 21, further comprising an item rules that defines a behavior of the item type when displayed in the first page.

24. A data structure as defined in claim 21, further comprising item tabs that are displayed in a tab view of the first page, wherein each tab defined in the item tabs dynamically generates a third page based on third definitions included in least the item model

25. A data structure as defined in claim 21, further comprising item rights that provide security to data displayed in the first page.

26. A data structure as defined in claim 21, further comprising item history that provides attribute change tracking in the first page.

27. A data structure as defined in claim 24, wherein the security included in the item rights is described in an XML format.

22. A data structure used in the dynamic generation of form pages used to access a database, the data structure comprising:

an item type that identifies a type for an item model, wherein the item model is distinct from actual data for objects of the item type;

an item display that includes one or more fields to be displayed in a first page used to access a database, wherein the one or more fields are displayed in the first page and wherein actual data is displayed alongside of the one or more fields, the actual data retrieved from an object that is separate from the item model; and

an item buttons that identifies buttons to be displayed in the first page;

wherein at least one item button causes the dynamic generation of a second page using at least definitions included in the item model.