System and method for searching data partially displayed on a user interface

• US 20070180066A1
• Filed: 12/28/2001
• Published: 08/02/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Oracle International Corporation (Oracle Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Oracle International Corporation (Oracle Corporation)
• Inventors: Wright, David, Sherwood, Theresa, Akel, Laura
• Granted Patent: US 7,379,965 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/220
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/954 Navigation, e.g. using categorised browsing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/958 Organisation or management of web site content, e.g. publishing, maintaining pages or automatic linking

Abstract

The present invention includes systems and methods for customization of internet applications. Multiple levels of customization are applied to both static and functional aspects of user interface elements including, for example, tab-order, tab-over, immediate access keys, and hotkeys. Customization is also achieved with respect to searching over multiple user interfaces, presentation of information on a user interface, and the interaction model used by the internet application. Customization is enabled on any client supporting standard browser functionality.

Claims

1-20. -20. (canceled)

21. A customizable application system comprising:

an application execution system configured to support an internet application;

a user interface generator operable to generate an application user interface including a user interface element, the application user interface being configured as an interface between the internet application and a client and being configured for delivery to the client over a computer network, the user interface element including a find command that is user customizable with respect to a scope of data to be searched, the scope of data to be searched customizable to include one of all results of a previously-executed query, a subset of the results of the previously-executed query, and only the results of the previously-executed query that are displayed in the application user interface;

metadata characterizing the find command; and

a data repository including a data record further characterizing the find command, the data record being user modifiable in response to receiving input from a consistent user defining a property for the user customizable find command and being accessible using the metadata, the property specifying the scope of the data to search,

wherein the application user interface is automatically generated in response to a request from the client and configured with the property for the find command,

wherein the user interface is operable to display an amount of data in response to the previously-executed query, and

wherein the find command is operable to execute a search within the scope of data with respect to the results of the previously-executed query, said executed search including steps of;

displaying said subset query results in said application user interface,

operating said single instance of an application user interface independently from a database server, and

providing said database server independently from the number of query operations required to retrieve a requested query result to allow a consistent user to include configuration data and personalization data in said generated application user interface without modification of the user interface design developed in page development.

24. The customizable application system of claim 21, wherein the application user interface is configured for display at the client using standard web browser protocols without requiring additional client-side application software and without requiring the emulation of an existing user interface.

25. The customizable application system of claim 21, further including a personalization system configured to modify the data record.

26. The customizable application system of claim 21, wherein the application user interface is configured for display at the client using features of a web browser, the features not requiring a browser add-on, plug-in, or extension.

27. The customizable application system of claim 21, wherein the find command is configurable according to an identity of the client or to an identity of a user.

28. The customizable application system of claim 21, further including means for generating the application user interface using the metadata.

29. The customizable application system of claim 21, further including an application server configured to support the internet application.

30. The customizable application system of claim 21, further including another application user interface having the find command, wherein the data record is configured to characterize the find command in both the application user interface and the other application user interface.

31. The customizable application system of claim 21, wherein a customizable state of the find command persists from one use of the application user interface to another use of the application user interface.

32. The customizable application system of claim 21, wherein the client is a wireless system.

22-23. -23. (canceled)

33. A computer readable medium including an internet application, the internet application comprising:

metadata defining an application user interface, the application user interface including a user interface element with a user customizable find command, the application user interface configured for delivery to a client and configured to operate as an interface between a consistent user and the internet application, the user customizable find command being customizable with respect to a scope of a search, the scope of the search being customizable to include one of all results of a previously-executed query, a subset of the results of the previously-executed query, and only the results of the previously-executed query that are displayed in the application user interface;

a user interface generator configured to generate the application user interface in response to a request from the consistent user using a user modifiable data record stored in a location physically remote from the client, the user modifiable data record configurable to characterize the user customizable find command; and

a configuration system configured to receive an input from a consistent user to modify the user modifiable data record with a property for the find command, the property specifying the scope of the search,

wherein the application user interface is automatically generated and configured with the property for the find command,

wherein the user interface is operable to display an amount of data in response to the previously-executed query, and

wherein the find command is operable to execute a search within the scope of search with respect to the results of the previously-executed query, independently from a database server, said database server independent from the type of data stored in the database server and the number of query operations required to retrieve a requested query result allowing a consistent user to include configuration data and personalization data in the generated application user interface without modification of the user interface design developed in page development.

34. A computer readable medium including an internet application, the internet application comprising:

an application designer configured to develop an application user interface, the application user interface including a user interface element with a user customizable find command, the application user interface configured for delivery to a client and configured to operate as an interface between a consistent user and the internet application, the user customizable find command being customizable with respect to a scope of a search, the scope of the search being customizable to include one of all results of a previously-executed query, a subset of the results of the previously-executed query, and only the results of the previously-executed query that are displayed in the application user interface;

a user interface generator configured to generate the application user interface in response to a request from the consistent user using a user modifiable data record stored in a location physically remote from the client, the user modifiable data record configurable to characterize the user customizable find command; and

a configuration system configured to receive a user input to modify the user modifiable data record with a property for the find command, the property specifying the scope of the search,

wherein the application user interface is automatically generated and configured with the property for the find command,

wherein the user interface is operable to display an amount of data in response to the previously-executed query, and

wherein the find command is operable to execute a search within the scope of search with respect to the results of the previously-executed query, independently from a database server, said database server independent from the number of query operations required to retrieve a requested query result and independent from the type of data stored in the database server, allowing a consistent user to include configuration data and personalization data in the generated application user interface without modification of the user interface design developed in page development. (Same)

35-47. -47. (canceled)

48. An application execution system comprising:

means for supporting an internet application;

means for generating an application user interface using a user modifiable data record configured to store data characterizing a user customizable find command search in response to receiving input from a consistent user defining a property for the user customizable find command, wherein the application user interface is automatically generated and configured with the property for the find command, the user customizable interface comprising the find command being customizable with respect to a scope of a search, the scope of the search based on the property received and customizable to include one of all results of a previously-executed query, a subset of the results of the previously-executed query, and only the results of the previously-executed query that are displayed in the application user interface; and

means for providing the application user interface to a consistent user, the application user interface including a user interface element, the application user interface configured as an interface between the internet application and the consistent user, the user interface element including the user customizable find command, the user interface element configured for delivery to a client over a computer network,

wherein the application user interface is operable to display an amount of data in response to the previously-executed query, and

wherein the find command is operable to execute a search within the scope of search with respect to the results of the previously-executed query, operating said single instance of an application user interface independently from a database server, said database server independent from the number of query operations required to retrieve a requested query result and independent from the type of data stored in the database serve, allowing a consistent user to include configuration data and personalization data in the generated application user interface without modification of the user interface design developed in page development. (same)

49. A computer implemented user interface system including an Internet application, a computer readable storage medium, computer program executable instruction, recorded on the computer readable storage medium and a processor for performing steps, the steps comprising:

providing a user interface element on a single instance of an application user interface to display data results in response to a previously executed query, independently from a database server and independent from the number of query operations required to retrieve a requested query result and independent from the type of data stored in the database server, allowing a consistent user to include configuration data and personalization data in the generated application user interface without modification of the user interface design developed in page development;

allowing a consistent end user to select from a plurality of interaction models wherein said interaction models are coupled to a plurality of query results and independent from the data type stored in the database server allowing a consistent user to include configuration data and personalization data in the generated application user interface without modification of the user interface design developed in page development;

configuring a user modifiable data record in response to a request from said consistent end user; and

providing a find command operable to search a subset including only the results of the previously executed query. (The elements of this claim still do not really flow together)

50. The method of claim 49, further comprising:

providing references to customization data;

displaying said customization data in said single instance of application user interface, without modification of page design and supported by a standard web browser without requiring additional client-side application software and without the emulation of an existing user interface.

51. The method of claim 50, further comprising:

providing multiple execution of query steps allowing a consistent user to conduct multiple levels of configuration and personalization including a metadata condition subsequent query to retrieve a further data subset, a requester identity to determine a permission condition subsequent query to retrieve a further data subset, and a requester identity parameter tag to modify a condition subsequent query to further allow a consistent user to conduct multiple levels of configuration and personalization.