Chart generator for searching research data

• US 20090144222A1
• Filed: 12/03/2007
• Published: 06/04/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Chartsource Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Chartsource Incorporated
• Inventors: Modzelewski, Christopher G.
• Application Number:
  US11/999,184
• Publication Number:
  US 20090144222A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/10 Office automation; Time management

Abstract

Generating a chart for research data includes receiving meta-data describing search results for desired research data residing in one or more databases hosted on one or more platforms, applying one or more rules to the meta-data to determine a report type, and extracting the research data from the one or more databases. The generating also includes creating a report according to the report type for the research data.

Claims

1. A method comprising:

receiving meta-data describing search results for desired research data residing in one or more databases hosted on one or more platforms;

applying one or more rules to the meta-data to determine a report type; and

extracting the research data from the one or more databases;

creating a report according to the report type for the research data.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the creating comprises generating one or more thumbnail charts for the research data.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the creating comprises generating one or more preview charts for the research data.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the creating comprises generating one or more final charts for the research data.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the meta-data comprises an identification of one or more rows to extract data from.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein the meta-data comprises an identification of one or more columns to extract data from.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the meta-data comprises an identification of one or more tables to extract data from.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the meta-data comprises an identification of one or more labels for use in one or more charts describing the desired data.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein the meta-data comprises an identification of textual information for use in one or more charts describing the desired data.

10. The method of claim 1 wherein the meta-data comprises an identification of configuration information for use in one or more charts describing the desired data.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the meta-data comprises an identification of a chart type for use in one or more charts describing the desired data.

12. An apparatus comprising:

a memory; and

a processor configured to;

receive meta-data describing search results for desired research data residing in one or more databases hosted on one or more platforms;

apply one or more rules to the meta-data to determine a report type; and

extract the research data from the one or more databases;

create a report according to the report type for the research data.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the processor is further configured to generate one or more thumbnail charts for the research data.

14. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the processor is further configured to generate one or more preview charts for the research data.

15. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the processor is further configured to generate one or more final charts for the research data.

16. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the meta-data comprises an identification of one or more rows to extract data from.

17. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the meta-data comprises an identification of one or more columns to extract data from.

18. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the meta-data comprises an identification of one or more tables to extract data from.

19. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the meta-data comprises an identification of one or more labels for use in one or more charts describing the desired data.

20. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the meta-data comprises an identification of textual information for use in one or more charts describing the desired data.

21. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the meta-data comprises an identification of configuration information for use in one or more charts describing the desired data.

22. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein the meta-data comprises an identification of a chart type for use in one or more charts describing the desired data.

23. A program storage device readable by a machine, embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform a method, the method comprising:

receiving meta-data describing search results for desired research data residing in one or more databases hosted on one or more platforms;

applying one or more rules to the meta-data to determine a report type; and

extracting the research data from the one or more databases;

creating a report according to the report type for the research data.

24. An apparatus comprising:

means for receiving meta-data describing search results for desired research data residing in one or more databases hosted on one or more platforms;

means for applying one or more rules to the meta-data to determine a report type; and

means for extracting the research data from the one or more databases;

means for creating a report according to the report type for the research data.