Graphical user interface for creating database integration specifications
First Claim
1. A method for interactively creating a database integration specification, said database integration specification comprising a graphical workflow specification, one or more communication scripts, and one or more data translators, said method comprising the following steps:
- providing a graphical user interface for forming the graphical workflow specification including the steps of generating a plurality of cursor-sensitive display objects corresponding to the communication scripts and the data translators; and
interconnecting the plurality of display objects so as to depict a flow of control and data among the corresponding communication scripts and data translators, thereby forming the graphical workflow specification;
specifying the communication scripts;
specifying the data translators; and
compiling the database integration specification into an executable format.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides a method, and corresponding apparatus, for interactively creating database integration specifications comprising a workflow specification, communication scripts, and data translators. The invention includes steps and means for interactively creating a workflow specification which graphically depicts the flow of control and data among the various communication scripts and data translators. Each communication script, data translator, or other integration object that is part of the overall workflow specification is graphically represented by corresponding, cursor-sensitive display objects. These display objects are then interactively interconnected so as to depict the desired flow of control and data. The method further includes steps and means for specifying content for the actual communication scripts and data translators. Specifying a particular communication script or data translator is preferably initiated by interactively selecting the cursor-sensitive display object corresponding to that particular communication script or data translator. In a further feature of the invention, software data objects representing the communication scripts, data translators, and the workflow specification are stored in an object-oriented database. The database integration specification is ultimately compiled into executable form.
187 Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method for interactively creating a database integration specification, said database integration specification comprising a graphical workflow specification, one or more communication scripts, and one or more data translators, said method comprising the following steps:
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providing a graphical user interface for forming the graphical workflow specification including the steps of generating a plurality of cursor-sensitive display objects corresponding to the communication scripts and the data translators; and interconnecting the plurality of display objects so as to depict a flow of control and data among the corresponding communication scripts and data translators, thereby forming the graphical workflow specification; specifying the communication scripts; specifying the data translators; and compiling the database integration specification into an executable format. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. An apparatus for interactively creating a database integration specification, said database integration specification comprising a graphical workflow specification, one or more communication scripts, and one or more data translators, said apparatus comprising:
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graphical user interface means for forming a graphical workflow specification including means for generating a plurality of cursor-sensitive display objects corresponding to the communication scripts and the data translators; and means for interconnecting the plurality of display objects so as to depict a flow of control and data among the corresponding communication scripts and the data translators, thereby forming the graphical workflow specification; means for specifying the communication scripts; means for specifying the data translators; and means for compiling the database integration specifying into an executable format. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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Specification