Software system and interface for database searching

• US 20080222115A1
• Filed: 02/21/2008
• Published: 09/11/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/21/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Robert Darel Bonds
• Original Assignee: Robert Darel Bonds
• Inventors: Bonds, Robert Darel
• Application Number:
  US12/070,948
• Publication Number:
  US 20080222115A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 707/3
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/2428 Query predicate definition using graphical user interfaces, including menus and forms G06F16/2423 takes precedence

Abstract

A flexible user interface allows a user to build a search request using common English vernacular so that the user does not need to know or understand database wildcards and other operators—which can vary from software to software. Once the user has built his search request, the computer search software processes the search criteria through several algorithms to return the exact information sought. The search results are then displayed in the output portion of the user interface in a user-friendly format, typically in list form that can be printed in a report if desired.

Claims

1. A database searching system for managing a search request for a user, comprising:

computer processor means for processing data;

storage means for storing data on a storage medium;

first means for entering search request parameters comprising a flexible user interface having a plurality of input rows, each row containing at least three input fields, the first input field being a chosen database field, the second input field being a chosen pattern operator, and the third input field being a typed text string;

second means for manipulating said input parameters into commands and subsequently applying said commands to operate on the stored data in the database to produce search results; and

third means for returning said search results to the user comprising a user-friendly output interface.

2. The database searching system of claim 1 wherein said first input field of each input row of said flexible user interface of said first means has a drop-down menu presenting several choices to the user, said choices representing the database fields.

3. The database searching system of claim 1 wherein said second input field of each input row of said flexible user interface of said first means has a drop-down menu presenting several choices to the user, said choices representing pattern operators, such as ‘

exact match,’

‘

is not,’ and

‘

contains.’

4. The database searching system of claim 1 wherein said third input field of each input row of said flexible user interface of said first means has a space for the user to type in a text string.

5. The database searching system of claim 1 wherein said second means comprises a process including a plurality of algorithms that operate on said entered parameters using said entered pattern operators to manipulate said entered data to produce said search results.

6. The database searching system of claim 5 wherein said second means comprises a front-end portion to manipulate said parameters into said commands and a back-end portion to apply said commands to operate on said stored data to produce said search results.

7. The database searching system of claim 1 wherein said third means comprises an output user interface, said interface presenting the found data in user-friendly language and form.

8. The database searching system of claim 7 wherein said user-friendly form includes precise and exact descriptions of the found data.

9. The database searching system of claim 7 further comprising a printed search report.

10. A method of searching a database, comprising the steps of:

entering the search parameters into a flexible user interface comprising a plurality of input rows, each row having at least three input fields;

processing said entered search parameters according to included algorithms that manipulate the search parameters to transform the input data into search results; and

returning the found search results to the user via the user interface.

11. The method of searching according to claim 10 wherein said interface of said entering step presents several choices to a user, including database field choices and pattern operator choices, and also presents a space for typing in a text string.

12. The method of searching according to claim 10 wherein said processing step comprises a plurality of algorithms that operate on said entered search parameters using predetermined row operators to generate a complex search query including search commands.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein said algorithms of said processing step further apply said commands to operate on the stored data in said database.

14. The method of searching according to claim 10 wherein said processing step comprises a front-end portion for generating commands based on said search parameters and a back-end portion for applying said commands to operate on said database.

15. The method of searching according to claim 10 wherein said returning step comprises a user interface for displaying said search results in user-friendly format comprising a list of detailed search results including the database fields chosen in said entering step.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising the step of printing a search report based on said search results.

17. A database searching system for managing an impound car lot, comprising:

computer processing means for processing data;

storage means for storing data on a storage medium;

first means for entering search request parameters via a user interface comprising a plurality of input rows, each row comprising a plurality of input fields;

second means comprising a plurality of algorithms to operate on said entered search request parameters to locate the user'"'"'s sought-after information in said database; and

third means for returning said sought-after information to the user in a user-friendly display.

18. The database searching system of claim 17, wherein said input fields of said input rows of said interface are adapted to accept database fields, pattern operators, and free text respectively.

19. The database searching system of claim 18, wherein

said database fields are chosen from a group comprising vehicle data, dispatch data, legal data, and owner data;

and

said pattern operators are chosen from a group comprising ‘

exact match,’

‘

is not,’ and

‘

contains.’

20. The database searching system of claim 19 wherein said user-friendly display includes exact and precise descriptions of the car the user is seeking in the lot as well as the lot location.