Methods for importing data between database management programs

• US 5,966,717 A
• Filed: 12/20/1996
• Issued: 10/12/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 12/20/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Computer Incorporated (Apple Inc.)
• Inventors: Sass, Jonathan M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Amsbury, Wayne
• Assistant Examiner(s): JUNG, DAVID YIUK
• Application Number:
  US08/780,102
• Time in Patent Office: 1,026 Days
• Field of Search: 707/1-206, 707/501-540, 706/11-45, 395/701-705, 364/274-282.1, 345/335-976, 348/620-701, 340/990, 711/169
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/258 Data format conversion from or to a database
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99943 Generating database or data structure, e.g. via user interface
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99955 Archiving or backup

Abstract

A computer-implemented method in a computer for importing data from an import database to a target database. The method includes displaying a plurality of import items associated with one of the plurality of import records in an import window of a display screen of the computer. The plurality of import items represent at least one of the plurality of import data fields and the plurality of import headers associated with the one of the plurality of import records. There is further included displaying a target window in the display screen, thereby causing the target window to appear simultaneously with the import window in the display screen. The target window includes a plurality of target data fields corresponding to a plurality of target headers and substantially resembles one of a window employed for manual data entry of records and a window employed for data display for the database management program. The method further includes moving an import item of the plurality of import items in the import window to a position in the target window. The position corresponds to a target item of a target record of the target database, the target item representing a target data field if the item represents one of the plurality of import data fields. The target item represents a target header if the item represents one of the plurality of import headers.

Claims

1. In a computer, a computer-implemented method for importing data from an import database to a target database, said target database being configured for use in a target database management program and having a plurality of target records each including a plurality of target data fields corresponding to a plurality of target headers, said import database having a plurality of import records each including a plurality of import data fields corresponding to a plurality of import headers, comprising:

displaying a plurality of import items associated with one of said plurality of import records in an import window of a display screen of said computer, said plurality of import items representing at least one of said plurality of import data fields and said plurality of import headers associated with said one of said plurality of import records;

displaying a target window on said display screen, thereby causing said target window to appear simultaneously with said import window on said display screen, said target window including a plurality of target data fields corresponding to a plurality of target headers and substantially resembles one of a window employed for manual data entry of records and a window employed for data display for said target database management program; and

moving, responsive to command by a user of said computer, an import item of said plurality of import items displayed in said import window to a position in said target window, said position corresponds to a target item of a target record of said target database, said target item representing a target data field if said item represents one of said plurality of import data fields, said target item representing a target header if said item represents one of said plurality of import headers.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said moving includes dragging said import item from said import window to said position in said target window.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein said plurality of target data fields in said target window represents a plurality of blank data fields.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein at least one of said plurality of target data fields in said target window is an import data field also displayed in said import window, said at least one of said plurality of target data fields being matched with said import data field according to a predefined matching pattern prior to said moving.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said import item is editable in said target window after said moving.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein said import item represents said target data field, said target data field being editable in said target window after said moving.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein said import item represents said target header, said target header being editable in said target window after said moving.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein said target window is adjacent said import window in said display screen.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising associating items analogous with said import item in said plurality of import records with items analogous with said target item in said plurality of target records.

10. A computer readable media having program instructions stored therein, said instructions being configured for use in a computer for importing data from an import database to a target database, said target database being configured for use in a target database management program and having a plurality of target records each including a plurality of target data fields corresponding to a plurality of target headers, said import database having a plurality of import records each including a plurality of import data fields corresponding to a plurality of import headers, said computer readable media comprising:

program instructions for displaying a plurality of import items associated with one of said plurality of import records in an import window of a display screen of said computer, said plurality of import items representing at least one of said plurality of import data fields and said plurality of import headers associated with said one of said plurality of import records;

program instructions for displaying a target window on said display screen, thereby causing said target window to appear simultaneously with said import window on said display screen, said target window including a plurality of target data fields corresponding to a plurality of target headers and substantially resembles one of a window employed for manual data entry of records and a window employed for data display for said target database management program; and

program instructions for moving, responsive to command by a user of said computer, an import item of said plurality of import items displayed in said import window to a position in said target window, said position corresponds to a target item of a target record of said target database, said target item representing a target data field if said item represents one of said plurality of import data fields, said target item representing a target header if said item represents one of said plurality of import headers.

11. The computer readable media of claim 10 wherein said import item is editable in said target window after said moving.

12. The computer readable media of claim 10 wherein said import item represents said target data field, said target data field being editable in said target window after said moving.

13. The computer readable media of claim 10 wherein said import item represents said target header, said target header being editable in said target window after said moving.

14. The computer readable media of claim 10 wherein said target window is adjacent said import window in said display screen.

15. In a computer, a computer-implemented method for importing data from an import database to a target database, said target database being configured for use in a target database management program and having a plurality of target records each including a plurality of target data fields corresponding to a plurality of target headers, said import database having a plurality of import records each including a plurality of import data fields corresponding to a plurality of import headers, comprising:

displaying a plurality of import items associated with one of said plurality of import records in an import window of a display screen of said computer, said plurality of import items representing at least one of said plurality of import data fields and said plurality of import headers associated with said one of said plurality of import records;

displaying a target window on said display screen, thereby causing said target window to appear simultaneously with said import window on said display screen, said target window including a plurality of target data fields corresponding to a plurality of target headers; and

moving, responsive to command by a user of said computer, an import item of said plurality of import items displayed in said import window to a position in said target window, said position corresponds to a target item of a target record of said target database, said target item representing a target data field if said item represents one of said plurality of import data fields, said target item representing a target header if said item represents one of said plurality of import headers.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein said import window substantially resembles a display window of an import database management program, said display window of said import database management program represents a window employed for displaying record data of said import database when said import database management program is executed.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein said target window substantially resembles a window employed for manual data entry of records for said target database management program.

18. The method of claim 15 wherein said target window substantially resembles a window employed for data display of records for said target database management program.

19. The method of claim 15 wherein said moving includes dragging said import item from said import window to said position in said target window.

20. The method of claim 15 wherein said target window substantially resembles a window employed for manual data entry of records for said target database management program.