Method and system for querying a database

• US 20090150351A1
• Filed: 12/07/2007
• Published: 06/11/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/07/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Roche Diabetes Care Inc. (Roche Holding AG)
• Original Assignee: Roche Diagnostics Operations Incorporated (Roche Holding AG)
• Inventors: Buck, Schuyler, Young, Morris J., Bush, Jason, McKinney, Ryan Scott, Leahy, Scott W.
• Granted Patent: US 8,819,040 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/2428 Query predicate definition using graphical user interfaces, including menus and forms G06F16/2423 takes precedence

Abstract

A method and system for querying a database involves dragging and dropping selected search criteria from one portion of a display to another portion of a display. When searching multiple criteria, a Boolean operation associated with the method depends upon the respective positions of the search criteria in the display. The method also allows for the results of the search to be dynamically updated as different criteria are selected.

Claims

1. A method of constructing a search to query a database including a plurality of records comprising the steps of:

listing at least one type of search criteria in a first portion of a display;

selecting at least one of the search criteria and listing it in a second portion of the display; and

locating the records satisfying the search criteria displayed in the second portion.

2. The method as set forth in claim 1 further comprising the step of listing a second type of search criteria in the second portion of the display.

3. The method as set forth in claim 2 wherein the position of the first type of search criteria with respect to the position of the second type of search criteria determines the type of Boolean operation connecting the two search criteria.

4. The method as set forth in claim 3 further comprising the step of indicating the type of Boolean operation as the second type of search criteria is displayed.

5. The method as set forth in claim 4 wherein the indicator is located in the second portion of the display.

6. The method as set forth in claim 5 wherein a line indicates the type of Boolean operation.

7. The method as set forth in claim 6 wherein the size of the line indicates the type of Boolean operation.

8. The method as set forth in claim 6 wherein the color of the line indicates the type of Boolean operation.

9. The method as set forth in claim 1 further comprising the step of displaying the number of records satisfying the search criteria in a display box.

10. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the placing step is accomplished by dragging the search criteria from the first portion of the display and dropping the search criteria in the second portion of the display.

11. The method as set forth in claim 1 wherein the type of search criteria includes at least one drop down menu.

12. A method for constructing a search of a database including a plurality of data records, the method comprising the steps of:

listing a set of possible search criteria in a first portion of a display; and

selecting at least one search criteria from the first portion of the display; and

moving the selected search criteria to a second portion of the display.

13. The method as set forth in claim 12 wherein the plurality of data records relates to patients with diabetes.

14. The method as set forth in claim 12 further comprising the step of displaying the number of records meeting the search criteria.

15. The method as set forth in claim 14 further wherein the display includes an icon.

16. The method as set forth in claim 15 further comprising step of actuating the icon in order to display the number of records meeting the search criteria.

17. The method as set forth in claim 12 wherein the second portion includes at least two boxes displaying the active search criteria connected with a Boolean operator.

18. The method as set forth in claim 17 wherein the relative positions of the two boxes determines the Boolean operator.

19. The method as set forth in claim 18 further including the step of indicating the type of the Boolean operation as the second box is being positioned with respect to the first box.

20. The method as set forth in claim 19 wherein the indicator is a line of varying size.

21. The method as set forth in claim 19 wherein the indicator is a line of varying color.

22. The method as set forth in claim 12 further including the step of displaying the number of records that meet the search criteria after the search criteria has been moved into the second portion of the display.

23. The method as set forth in claim 12 wherein the search criteria are displayed in boxes including at least one drop down menu.

24. A method of constructing a search of a database including a plurality of recordings comprising the steps of:

listing a plurality of search criteria on a first portion of a display;

dragging and dropping a first search criteria onto a second portion of the display;

dragging and dropping a second search criteria onto the second portion of the display; and

comparing the records to the search criteria on the second portion of the display.

25. The method as set forth in claim 24 wherein the position of the second search criteria with respect to the first search criteria determines the Boolean operator connecting the search criteria.

26. The method as set forth in claim 24 wherein the plurality of records include medical data.

27. The method as set forth in claim 26 wherein the medical data includes blood glucose data.

28. The method as set forth in claim 26 wherein the medical data includes insulin measurements.