System for graphically representing and manipulating data stored in databases

• US 5,088,052 A
• Filed: 07/15/1988
• Issued: 02/11/1992
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/1988
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. (HP Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Digital Equipment Corporation (HP Inc.)
• Inventors: Considine, C. J., Spielman, Howard A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Herndon, Heather R.
• Application Number:
  US07/219,652
• Time in Patent Office: 1,306 Days
• Field of Search: 364/518, 364/521, 364/523, 382/41-47, 340/721, 340/723
• US Class Current: 715/804
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/2428 Query predicate definition using graphical user interfaces, including menus and forms G06F16/2423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/248 Presentation of query results
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/033 Pointing devices displaced or positioned by the user , e.g. mice, trackballs, pens or joysticks; Accessories therefor digitisers characterised by the transducing means G06F3/041
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99934 Query formulation, input preparation, or translation

Abstract

A system includes one or more databases, a terminal for use by a user and a processor. The databases store data and retrieve the stored data in response to the receipt of a data retrieval request from the processor. The terminal generates an input screen and an output screen. The input screen displays, for the user, data selection criteria identifiers which the user may select to identify data of interest, and functions for processing the data as desired by the user. The output screen displays the processed data. The processor generates, in response to the selected data selection criteria from said terminal, a data retrieval request for processing by the databases. Upon receipt of the retrieved data, the processor processes the retrieved data as called for by the selected function selection criteria to generate processed data, which the processor transmits to the terminal for display on the output screen. In a refinement, the processed data is identified by a data type, and said processor selecting a display type, for example, a line graph, bar graph, or other, based on the data type of the processed data, by which the output screen displays the data.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

A. a database for storing data and for retrieving data in response to the receipt of a data retrieval criteria;

B. a terminal including;

i. an input screen display generated in response to receipt of said data retrieval criteria, said input screen display comprising;

a. data selection criteria identifiers for selection by a user; and

b. function selection criteria identifiers for selection by a user; and

ii. means for selecting at least one of said data selection criteria identifiers and for selecting at least one of said functions selection criteria identifiers;

iii. an output screen display, replacing said input screen display in said terminal in response to a selection of said data selection criteria and said function selection criteria, said output screen display comprising processed data;

C. a processor for generating, in response to the selection of data selection criteria from said terminal, a data retrieval request and for processing the retrieved data as called for by the selection of function selection criteria to generate the processed data, the processor transmitting the processed data to the terminal for use in the output screen display.

2. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein the processed data is identified by a data type, said processor selecting a display type based on the data type of the processed data.

3. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said input screen further comprises measure selection criteria identifiers for selection by a user, said processor using said measure selection criteria to limit the data retrieved and displayed by said data retrieval request.

4. A system as defined in claim 3 wherein said measure selection criteria comprises specific value and range limitations to be imposed on said data retrieval request to thereby limit said retrieved data.

5. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said input screen further comprises analysis selection criteria identifiers for selection by a user, said analysis criteria determining characteristics of said processed data displayed on said output screen.

6. A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said output screen comprises:

a. an output portion for displaying said processed data; and

b. display selection criteria identifiers for selection by a user, said selected display selection criteria determining characteristics of processed data displayed in said output portion.

7. A system for graphically representing and manipulating data stored in a plurality of databases and for retrieving said data from said databases in response to receipt of a data retrieval request from a user, said system comprising:

an input screen display generated in response to receipt of said data retrieval request, wherein said input screen display is divided into a plurality of sections all of which are displayed simultaneously and from which the user can select various data retrieval identifiers;

means for selecting at least one of said data retrieval identifiers from said input screen display wherein said selected data retrieval identifiers are used to augment said data retrieval request;

a processor for executing said data retrieval request in response to selection of said data retrieval identifiers, said processor further used for retrieving data from said database as called for by said data retrieval identifiers and for processing said retrieved data as called for by said data retrieval identifiers to generate processed data; and

an output screen display for displaying said processed data, wherein said output screen display replaces said input screen display;

wherien said data retrieval identifiers comprise;

a. data identifiers displayed in a first of said sections of said input display screen for selection by a user, each of said data identifiers corresponding to at least one of said databases and at least one record and one field in said database, said processor using said data identifiers to retrieve the contents of said record and field in said database;

b. function identifiers displayed in a second of said sections of said input display screen for selection by the user, said processor using said function identifiers to process said contents of said database records and fields for display;

c. measure identifiers displayed in a third of said sections of said input display screen for selection by a user, said processor using said measure selection criteria to specify certain values or ranges of values to limit the data retrieved and displayed by said data retrieval request; and

d. analysis identifiers displayed in a fourth of said sections of said input display screen for selection by a user, said processor using said analysis identifiers to determine display characteristics of said processed data as it is displayed on said output screen.