System and method for direct manipulation of search predicates using a graphical user interface

• US 5,668,966 A
• Filed: 01/31/1995
• Issued: 09/16/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 02/15/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Yoshida, Yoichi, Ono, Kiyoshi
• Primary Examiner(s): Bayerl, Raymond J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): KATBAB, ABDOLLAH
• Application Number:
  US08/381,260
• Time in Patent Office: 959 Days
• Field of Search: 395/155-161, 395/356
• US Class Current: 715/853
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/2428 Query predicate definition using graphical user interfaces, including menus and forms G06F16/2423 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 715/968 interface for database querying and retrieval

Abstract

A graphical user interface is provided which can create a predicate for searching for data using only mouse operations on the desktop, and apply the predicate to a database system containing objects to be searched. The user can identify a primitive predicate by inputting search items (that is, file attributes) on the desktop, and can create a logical operation expression for identifying search conditions by displaying a composite predicate representing a logical operator as a folder, and by dragging and dropping an icon representing the predicate on that folder. The logical operation expression can be hierarchically organized and stored. Moreover, a predicate can be displayed on the desktop on a desired hierarchical level by opening or closing an icon for each composite predicate from an icon to a folder, or a folder to an icon. A predicate can be applied as search conditions by dropping an icon representing the created predicate on a folder representing a database (in this case, the dropped object of display becomes the search range). Further, the predicate can be applied to the database by dropping an icon representing the database on a predicate icon (or, folder).

Claims

1. A graphical search interface implemented in a computer system, said computer system having processing means, a display, a keyboard for console input, a pointing device for selecting coordinate values, and storage means for storing and managing one or more objects, said computer system including a Window Manager supporting display of objects on said display, said graphical search interface comprising:

(a) predicate creation means for creating a predicate for searching for desired objects in storage, said predicate being a primitive predicate if it is a single indivisible search item, or a composite predicate if it is comprised of other predicates;

(b) predicate organization/storage means for hierarchically organizing and storing created predicates, said organization/storage means being responsive to said pointing device to hierarchically group said predicates, said organization/storage means storing each primitive predicate as a predicate object hierarchically related to other predicate objects by a predicate relation;

(c) predicate application means for applying stored predicates to one or more objects in storage said predicate application means including;

(1) primitive predicate application means for applying a primitive predicate to the object in said storage, said primitive predicate application means being responsive to said pointing device to select the object in storage; and

(2) composite predicate application means for applying a composite predicate to the object in said storage, said primitive predicate application means being responsive to said pointing device to select the object in storage; and

(d) display means for displaying a search result selected from said objects in storage and satisfying said predicate.

2. A graphical search interface claimed in claim 1, wherein said predicate creation means further comprises:

(a) a primitive predicate creation means for creating an indivisible primitive predicate containing search items; and

(b) a composite predicate creation means for creating a composite predicate creating a logical operation for one or more predicates, said composite predicate creation means being responsive to said pointing device to group one or more said objects into a hierarchically organized logical operation.

3. A graphical search interface claimed in claim 2, wherein said predicate organization/storage means is to organize and store one or more predicates in a form combining one or more logical operations, and prepares a data block corresponding to each predicate created by said primitive predicate creation means and said composite creation means.

4. A graphical search interface claimed in claim 3, wherein said predicate organization/storage means organizes and stores one or more predicates in a form combining one or more logical operations by hierarchically organizing them in such a manner that a second predicate, that is a composite predicate, for forming logical operations between first predicates each of which is a primitive predicate or a composite predicate obtained in previous logical operation on other predicates, is placed on a level immediately above the first predicate.

5. A graphical search interface claimed in claim 4, wherein said predicate application section comprises:

(a) a primitive predicate application means applying a primitive predicate to the object in said storage; and

(b) a composite predicate application means for applying a composite predicate to the object in said storage.

6. A graphical search interface claimed in claim 5, wherein said composite predicate application means recursively accesses and calls lower predicates from said predicate organization/storage means, and has said primitive predicate application means perform application when a primitive predicate is called.

7. A graphical search interface claimed in claim 2, wherein said primitive predicate creation means and said composite predicate creation means operate in response to drag &

drop notification via the pointing device from said Window Manager.

8. A graphical search interface claimed in claim 1, wherein said primitive predicate application means and said composite predicate application means operate in response to drag &

drop notification via the pointing device from said Window Manager.

9. A graphical search interface claimed in claim 1, wherein said predicate creation means sends to said Window Manager a command for displaying each predicate on said display.