Method and apparatus for the modeling and query of database structures using natural language-like constructs

• US 5,590,322 A
• Filed: 06/06/1995
• Issued: 12/31/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 08/25/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Asymetrix Corp.
• Inventors: McCormack, Jonathan I., Harding, James A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Black, Thomas G.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHAM, CUAN
• Application Number:
  US08/482,726
• Time in Patent Office: 574 Days
• Field of Search: 395/600, 395/161
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/2423 Interactive query statement specification based on a database schema
• 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 16/243 Natural language query formulation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/24526 Internal representations for queries
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/917 Text
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/968 Partitioning
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99931 Database or file accessing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99932 Access augmentation or optimizing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99934 Query formulation, input preparation, or translation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99935 Query augmenting and refining, e.g. inexact access
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99943 Generating database or data structure, e.g. via user interface

Abstract

Computerized tools for modeling database designs and specifying queries of the data contained therein. Once it is determined that an information system needs to be created, the Fact Compiler of the present invention is invoked to create it. After creating the information system, the user creates a fact-tree as a prelude to generating queries to the system. After creating the fact-tree, the user verifies that it is correct using the Tree Interpreter of the present invention. Once the fact tree has been verified, the Query Mapper of the present invention is used to generate information system queries.

Claims

1. Apparatus for the modeling and query of an information system on a programmable computer including memory, data entry means, data display means, a graphical user interface, the computer having a repository implemented thereon, the apparatus using natural language-like constructs for specifying and querying the information system and further comprising:

drag-and-drop information system specification means, utilizing a computer language having both textual and graphical forms for translating the natural language-like constructs into object-role modeling symbology, the specification means further for entering text onto the display means utilizing the textual form of the computer language, for parsing the text into at least one of object, fact and constraint into the repository, for forming a conceptual schema diagram representing the information system on the display means utilizing rile graphical form of the computer language, and for mapping the conceptual schema to a database; and

query mapping means for generating a fact tree representing a query; and

query generation means for generating the query represented by the fact tree to the database.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means for constructing a natural language description of the fact tree.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means, responsive to the conceptual schema diagram, for creating a textual listing of the objects, facts and constraints in the repository.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the drag-and-drop information system specification means further comprises text validation means.

5. A program storage device readable by a machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform method steps for the modeling and query, using natural language-like constructs, of an information system on a programmable computer, the method steps comprising;

translating the natural language-like constructs into object-role modeling symbology with a drag-and-drop information system specification means utilizing a computer language having both textual and graphical forms;

utilizing the textual form of the computer language, entering text onto a display device in operative combination with the computer;

parsing the text into at least one of object, fact and constraint into the repository,

forming a conceptual schema diagram representing the information system on the display device utilizing the graphical form of the computer language,

mapping the conceptual schema to a database;

generating a fact tree representing a query; and

generating the query represented by the fact tree to the database.

6. Apparatus for the modeling and query of an information system, the apparatus using natural-language like constructs and further comprising:

a programmable computer including memory;

a display device coupled to the computer;

a data entry device, further coupled to the computer;

a graphical user interface implemented on the computer;

a repository further implemented on the computer;

an edit window displayed on the display device for entering text therein, the edit window utilizing the textual form of a computer language having both textual and graphical forms for translating the natural language-like constructs into object-role modeling symbology;

conceptual schema diagram formation means for forming a conceptual schema diagram representing the information system on the display device, the conceptual schema diagram utilizing the graphical form of the computer language having both textual and graphical forms;

drag-and-drop means further implemented on the computer and in operative combination with the display device and the data entry device, for dragging the text from the edit window and for dropping the text item onto the conceptual schema diagram;

parsing means for parsing the text into at least one of object, fact and constraint;

list means, responsive to the parsing means, for creating an object list, a fact list and a constraint list in the repository;

a compiler, in operative combination with the parsing means and the list means, for compiling the text into at least an appropriate one of the object list, the fact list and the constraint list;

drawing means, responsive to the drag-and-drop means and the parsing means for drawing a graphic representation of the text on the conceptual schema diagram using the graphical form of the computer language;

database mapping means, for mapping the conceptual schema to a database;

the edit window, conceptual schema diagram, drag-and-drop means, parsing means, list means, compiler, drawing means, and database mapping means forming in operative combination a drain-and-drop fact compiler for specifying the information system represented in the conceptual schema; and

query means for specifying a query to the information system.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the query means further comprises:

query mapping means for generating a fact tree representing a query; and

query generation means for generating the query represented by the fact tree to the database.

8. The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising means for constructing a natural language description of the fact tree.

9. The apparatus of claim 6 further comprising means, responsive to the conceptual schema diagram, for creating a textual listing of the objects, facts and constraints in the repository.

10. The apparatus of claim 6 means further comprising means for validating text entered into the edit window.

11. Apparatus for the modeling and query of information systems using natural-language like constructs on a general-purpose programmable computer, the computer having a database implemented thereon, and including central processing means, bus means, display means, data entry means, memory means, and graphical user interface, the apparatus further comprising:

information system specification means including,

(a) text entry window, in operative combination with the data entry means, for entering text including objects, facts and constraints using the textual form of a computer language having both textural and graphical forms, and which approximates natural language, the computer language for translating the natural language-like constructs into object-role modeling symbology,

(b) drag and drop translation means in operative combination with the graphical user interface, for dragging the text from the text entry window to the appropriate place over a conceptual schema diagram implemented on the display means,

(c) parse means, responsive to the drag and drop means for parsing the text into at least one of fact, object and constraint, and for creating an object list, a fact list and a constraint list in the memory means,

(d) compilation means for compiling the text into a repository,

(e) drawing means, in operative combination with the graphic user interface and the graphical form of the computer language, for drawing the object, fact and constraint onto the conceptual schema diagram,

(e) relational mapping means for mapping the conceptual schema depicted in conceptual schema diagram to a database further implemented on the computer,

query specification means including fact tree specification means responsive to the information system specification means for specifying the fact tree used to process a desired query, the fact tree selection means including,

(a) object selection means, for selecting an object, from the repository, relevant to the query,

(b) fact selection means, for selecting a fact, from the repository, relevant to the query,

(c) the display means further configured to display the object and the fact in conceptual form,

(d) fact tree build means, further responsive to the object selection means and the fact selection means for building a fact tree equivalent to the query,

(e) constraint selection means for restricting the object at a root node of the fact tree to include only those objects in which a user is interested; and

query generation means, responsive to the fact tree specification means for generating the desired query.

12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the information system specification means further comprises means, responsive to the conceptual schema diagram, for creating a textual listing of the objects, facts and constraints in the repository.

13. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the information system specification means further comprises means for validating text entered into the edit window.

14. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the query specification means further comprises means for constructing a natural language description of the fact tree.

15. Method for the modeling and query of an information system on a programmable computer including memory, data entry means, data display means, a graphical user interface, the computer having a repository implemented thereon, the method employing natural language-like constructs for specifying and querying the information system and further comprising the steps of:

specifying the information system with a drag-and-drop information system specification means which utilizes a computer language having both textural and graphical forms for translating the natural language-like constructs into object-role modeling symbology, the step of specifying the information means further comprising the steps of entering text onto the display means utilizing the textual form of the computer language, parsing the text into at least one of object, fact and constraint into the repository, forming a conceptual schema diagram representing the information system on the display means utilizing the graphical form of the computer language, and mapping the conceptual schema to a database; and

generating a fact tree representing a query; and

generating the query represented by the fact tree to the database.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising the step of constructing a natural language description of the fact tree.

17. The method of claim 15, responsive to the step of forming a conceptual schema diagram and further comprising the step of creating a textual listing of the objects, facts and constraints in the repository.

18. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the step of specifying the information system further comprises the step of validating the text entered onto the display means.

19. Method for the modeling and query of an information system using natural-language like constructs on a programmable computer including memory, the computer having a display device coupled and a data entry device in operative combination therewith, and having a graphical user interface and a repository implemented on thereon, the method comprising the steps of:

entering text in an edit window utilizing the textual form of a computer language having both textual and graphical forms for translating the natural language-like constructs into object-role modeling symbology, the edit window displayed on the display device;

forming a conceptual schema diagram utilizing the graphical form of the computer language having both textual and graphical forms, the conceptual schema diagram representing the information system on the display device;

dragging the text from the edit window and dropping the text item onto the conceptual schema diagram using drag-and-drop means further implemented on the computer and in operative combination with the display device and the data entry device;

parsing the text into at least one of object, fact and constraint;

responsive to the step of parsing the text, creating an object list, a fact list and a constraint list in the repository;

responsive to the steps of parsing the text and creating an object list, a fact list and a constraint list, compiling the text into at least an appropriate one of the object list, the fact list and the constraint list;

drawing a graphic representation of the text on the conceptual schema diagram using the graphical form of the computer language;

mapping the conceptual schema to a database; and

specifying a query to the information system.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the step of specifying a query further comprises the steps of:

generating a fact tree representing a query; and

generating the query represented by the fact tree to the database.

21. The method of claim 19 further comprising the step of constructing a natural language description of the fact tree.

22. The method of claim 19, responsive to the step of forming the conceptual schema diagram, further comprising the step of creating a textual listing of the objects, facts and constraints in the repository.

23. The method of claim 19 further comprising means for validating text entered into the edit window.

24. Method for the modeling and query of information systems using natural-language like constructs on a general-purpose programmable computer, the computer having a database implemented thereon, and including central processing means, bus means, display means, data entry means, memory means, and graphical user interface, the method further comprising the steps of:

specifying the information system including the steps of,

(a) entering text including objects, facts and constraints into a text entry window using the textual form of a computer language having both textual and graphical forms, and which approximates natural language, the computer language for translating the natural language-like constructs into object-role modeling symbology, the text entry window in operative combination with the data entry means,

(b) dragging the text from the text entry window to the appropriate place ever a conceptual schema diagram, implemented on the display means, with a drag and drop translation means in operative combination with the graphical user interface,

(c) responsive to the step of dragging the text from the text entry window, parsing the text into at least one of fact, object and constraint, and creating an object list, a fact list and a constraint list in the memory means,

(d) compiling the text into a repository,

(e) drawing the object, fact and constraint onto the conceptual schema diagram using the graphical form of the computer language in operative combination with the graphic user interface,

(e) mapping the conceptual schema depicted in conceptual schema diagram to a database further implemented on the computer,

responsive to the step of specifying the information system, specifying a query thereto by specifying the fact tree used to process the query, the step of specifying the fact tree further including the steps of,

(a) selecting an object relevant to the query from the repository,

(b) selecting a fact relevant to the query from the repository,

(c) displaying the object and the fact in conceptual form on the display means,

(d) responsive to the steps of selecting an object and selecting a fact, building a fact tree equivalent to the query,

(e) at a user'"'"'s option, restricting the object at a root node of the fact tree to include only those objects in which the user is interested; and

generating the desired query in a computer language appropriate to the database.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein the step of specifying the information system further comprises the step of creating a textual listing of the objects, facts and constraints in the repository.

26. The method of claim 24 wherein the step of specifying the information system further comprises the step of validating text entered into the edit window.

27. The method of claim 24 wherein the step of specifying the query further comprises the step of constructing a natural language description of the fact tree.