System for creating structured fields on electronic forms

• US 6,137,488 A
• Filed: 07/29/1998
• Issued: 10/24/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Kraft, Reiner, Lu, Qi, Pinter, Ron Yair
• Primary Examiner(s): Feild, Joseph H.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Perkins, Michael J.
• Application Number:
  US09/124,565
• Time in Patent Office: 818 Days
• Field of Search: 707/505, 707/506, 707/507, 707/508, 707/4, 707/102, 707/5, 707/104, 345/333-335, 345/339
• US Class Current: 715/866
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/04895 Guidance during keyboard input operation, e.g. prompting
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 40/174 Form filling; Merging
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99934 Query formulation, input preparation, or translation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99943 Generating database or data structure, e.g. via user interface

Abstract

A computer system enables a user to conveniently fill-out, configure, and submit a structure of interrelated data fields, where the order and type of linking between the fields is user selected. A graphical user interface presents a field template having one or more data fields. The user may extend the electronic form by selecting an expand form field; in response to selection of the expand field, the user interface adds a second field template and a connective field to the display. This second template, like the first, includes one or more data fields. Using a connective field, the user identifies a logical relationship between the first field template and the second field template. For instance, the user may select from Boolean or other connective terms to construct a form having a complex format of interrelated fields. As each new field template is added with its corresponding connective field, the user interface also presents a nesting icon, allowing the user to establish a logical hierarchy between the various field templates.

Claims

1. A computer-driven method of providing a user interface to gather data, the method comprising:

transmitting a program of machine-readable instructions from a host computer to a local computer;

the local computer receiving and executing the instructions, the executing of the instructions directing the local computer to perform operations comprising;

displaying on a video display a field template including at least one data field;

displaying on the video display an expand field and a submit field;

receiving user entry to one or more of the data fields;

determining whether the user has selected the expand field, and for each user selection of the expand field,

displaying on the video display an additional field template and a connective field, each connective field displaying a list of predefined user-selectable Boolean terms defining relationships between the additional field template and a previous field template;

displaying a nesting field in association with each additional field template;

receiving user entry to each connective field, each entry comprising

selection of one of the predefined connective terms;

determining whether user entry to the nesting fields has occurred, each entry comprising selection of a nesting level, and responsive to user entry to a particular nesting field, changing the display of the associated field template to include indentation according to the selected nesting level;

receiving user entry to one or more of the data fields of each additional field template; and

determining whether user selection of the submit field has been received, and if so, transmitting a machine-readable representation of the user entries and their relationship to the host computer; and

the host computer receiving the representation from the local computer.

7. The method of claim 1, where the nesting field comprises an icon and the determining of whether user entry to any nesting field has occurred comprises detecting user input selecting the nesting icon.

2. A computer-driven method of providing a user interface to gather data, the method comprising:

a host computer transmitting a program of machine-readable instructions from a host computer to a local computer, the program being executable by the local computer to perform operations comprising;

displaying on a video display a field template including at least one data field;

displaying on the video display an expand field and a submit field;

receiving user entry to one or more of the data fields;

determining whether the user has selected the expand field, and for each user selection of the expand field,

displaying on the video display an additional field template and a connective field, each connective field displaying a list of predefined user-selectable Boolean terms defining relationships between the additional field template and a previous field template;

displaying a nesting field in association with each additional field template;

receiving user entry to each connective field, each entry comprising selection of one of the predefined connective terms;

determining whether user entry to the nesting fields has occurred, each entry comprising selection of a nesting level, and responsive to user entry to a particular nesting field, changing the display of the associated field template to include indentation according to the selected nesting level;

receiving user entry to one or more of the data fields of each additional field template; and

determining whether user selection of the submit field has been received, and if so, transmitting a machine-readable representation of the user entries and their relationship to a predefined destination.

3. The method of claim 2, the predefined destination comprising the storage at the local computer.

4. The method of claim 2, the operations further comprising displaying one or more contract fields each associated with one field template and determining whether user selection of any contract field has occurred, and if so, deleting the associated field template from the display.

5. The method of claim 2, where the connective terms comprise Boolean connectors.

6. The method of claim 2, where the indentation of each field template is proportional to the selected nesting level of the field'"'"'s associated nesting field.

8. The method of claim 2, where the data fields of each field template comprise:

a data-entry field; and

a classification field associated with the data-entry field, the classification field displaying a list of predefined user-selectable classification entries to categorize contents of the data-entry field.

9. The method of claim 2, the predefined destination comprising the host computer.

10. The method of claim 2, predefined destination comprising the host computer, the method further including the host computer receiving the representation from the local computer.

11. A computer-driven method of providing a user interface to gather data, the method comprising:

displaying on a video display a field template including at least one data field;

displaying on the video display an expand field and a submit field;

receiving user entry to one or more of the data fields;

determining whether the user has selected the expand field, and for each user selection of the expand field,

displaying on the video display an additional field template and a connective field, each connective field displaying a list of predefined user-selectable Boolean terms defining relationships between the additional field template and a previous field template;

displaying a nesting field in association with each additional field template;

receiving user entry to each connective field, each entry comprising selection of one of the predefined connective terms;

determining whether user entry to the nesting fields has occurred, each entry comprising selection of a nesting level, and responsive to user entry to a particular nesting field, changing the display of the associated field template to include indentation according to the selected nesting level;

receiving user entry to one or more of the data fields of each additional field template; and

determining whether user selection of the submit field has been received, and if so, performing a predetermined action.

12. The method of claim 11, the predetermined action comprising storing a data structure representing the user entries and relationship between the user entries.

13. The method of claim 11, the method further comprising displaying one or more contract fields each associated with one field template, and determining whether user selection of any contract field has occurred, and if so, deleting the associated field template from the display.

14. The method of claim 11, where the connective terms comprise Boolean connectors.

15. The method of claim 11, where the indentation of each field template is proportional to the selected nesting level of the field'"'"'s associated nesting field.

16. The method of claim 11, where the nesting field comprises an icon and the determining of whether user entry to any nesting field has occurred comprises detecting user input selecting the nesting icon.

17. The method of claim 11, where the data fields of each field template comprise:

a data-entry field; and

a classification field associated with the data-entry field, the classification field displaying a list of predefined user-selectable classification entries to categorize contents of the data-entry field.

18. A signal-bearing medium tangibly embodying a program of machine-readable instructions executable by a digital processing apparatus to perform a method of providing a user interface to gather data, the method comprising:

a host computer transmitting a program of machine-readable instructions to a local computer, the program being executable by the local computer to perform operations comprising;

displaying on a video display a field template including at least one data field;

displaying on the video display an expand field and a submit field;

receiving user entry to one or more of the data fields;

determining whether the user has selected the expand field, and for each user selection of the expand field,

displaying on the video display an additional field template and a connective field, each connective field displaying a list of predefined user-selectable Boolean terms defining relationships between the additional field template and a previous field template;

displaying a nesting field in association with each additional field template;

receiving user entry to each connective field, each entry comprising selection of one of the predefined connective terms;

determining whether user entry to the nesting fields has occurred, each entry comprising selection of a nesting level, and responsive to user entry to a particular nesting field, changing the display of the associated field template to include indentation according to the selected nesting level;

receiving user entry to one or more of the data fields of each additional field template; and

determining whether user selection of the submit field has been received, and if so, transmitting a machine-readable representation of the user entries and their relationship to a predefined destination.

19. The medium of claim 18, the predefined destination comprising storage at the local computer.

20. The medium of claim 18, the operations further comprising displaying one or more contract fields each associated with one field template, and determining whether user selection of any contract field has occurred, and if so, deleting the associated field template from the display.

21. The medium of claim 18, where the connective terms comprise Boolean connectors.

22. The medium of claim 18, where the indentation of each field template is proportional to the selected nesting level of the field'"'"'s associated nesting field.

23. The medium of claim 18, where the nesting field comprises an icon and the determining of whether user entry to any nesting field has occurred comprises detecting user input selecting the nesting icon.

24. The medium of claim 18, where the data fields of each field template comprise:

a data-entry field; and

a classification field associated with the data-entry field, the classification field displaying a list of predefined user-selectable classification entries to categorize contents of the data-entry field.

25. The medium of claim 18, the predefined destination comprising the host computer.

26. The medium of claim 18, predefined destination comprising the host computer, the method further including the host computer receiving the representation from the local computer.

27. A signal-bearing medium tangibly embodying a program of machine-readable instructions executable by a digital processing apparatus to perform a method of providing a user interface to gather data, the method comprising:

displaying on a video display a field template including at least one data field;

displaying on the video display an expand field and a submit field;

receiving user entry to one or more of the data fields;

determining whether the user has selected the expand field, and for each user selection of the expand field,

displaying on the video display an additional field template and a connective field, each connective field displaying a list of predefined user-selectable Boolean terms defining relationships between the additional field template and a previous field template;

displaying a nesting field in association with each additional field template;

receiving user entry to each connective field, each entry comprising selection of one of the predefined connective terms;

determining whether user entry to the nesting fields has occurred, each entry comprising selection of a nesting level, and responsive to user entry to a particular nesting field, changing the display of the associated field template to include indentation according to the selected nesting level;

receiving user entry to one or more of the data fields of each additional field template; and

determining whether user selection of the submit field has been received, and if so, performing a predetermined action.

28. The medium of claim 27, the predetermined action comprising storing a data structure representing the user entries and relationship between the user entries.

29. The medium of claim 27, the method further comprising displaying one or more contract fields each associated with one field template, and determining whether user selection of any contract field has occurred, and if so, deleting the associated field template from the display.

30. The medium of claim 27, where the connective terms comprise Boolean connectors.

31. The medium of claim 27, where the indentation of each field template is proportional to the selected nesting level of the field'"'"'s associated nesting field.

32. The medium of claim 27, where the nesting field comprises an icon and the determining of whether user entry to any nesting field has occurred comprises detecting user input selecting the nesting icon.

33. The medium of claim 27, where the data fields of each field template comprise:

a data-entry field; and

a classification field associated with the data-entry field, the classification field displaying a list of predefined user-selectable classification entries to categorize contents of the data-entry field.

34. A system for gathering structured data, comprising:

a host computer;

a local computer; and

a communications link interconnecting the host computer and local computer;

where the host computer and local computer are programmed to perform a method of gathering data, the method comprising;

the host computer transmitting a program of machine-readable instructions to the local computer;

the local computer receiving and executing the instructions, the executing of the instructions directing the local computer to perform operations comprising;

displaying on a video display a field template including at least one data field;

displaying on the video display an expand field and a submit field;

receiving user entry to one or more of the data fields;

determining whether the user has selected the expand field, and for each user selection of the expand field,

displaying on the video display an additional field template and a connective field, each connective field displaying a list of predefined user-selectable Boolean terms defining relationships between the additional field template and a previous field template;

displaying a nesting field in association with each additional field template;

receiving user entry to each connective field, each entry comprising selection of one of the predefined connective terms;

determining whether user entry to the nesting fields has occurred, each entry comprising selection of a nesting level, and responsive to user entry to a particular nesting field, changing the display of the associated field template to include indentation according to the selected nesting level;

receiving user entry to one or more of the data fields of each additional field template; and

determining whether user selection of the submit field has been received, and if so, transmitting a machine-readable representation of the user entries and their relationship to the host computer; and

the host computer receiving the representation from the local computer.

35. The system of claim 34, the communications link comprising a computer network.

36. A system for gathering structured data, comprising:

a host computer, including a digital data processing apparatus and an interface, where the digital data processing apparatus is programmed to perform a method of gathering data comprising;

transmitting a program of machine-readable instructions via the interface to a local computer, the program being executable by the local computer to perform operations comprising;

displaying on a video display a field template including at least one data field;

displaying on the video display an expand field and a submit field;

receiving user entry to one or more of the data fields;

determining whether the user has selected the expand field, and for each user selection of the expand field,

displaying on the video display an additional field template and a connective field, each connective field displaying a list of predefined user-selectable Boolean terms defining relationships between the additional field template and a previous field template;

displaying a nesting field in association with each additional field template;

receiving user entry to each connective field, each entry comprising selection of one of the predefined connective terms;

determining whether user entry to the nesting fields has occurred, each entry comprising selection of a nesting level, and responsive to user entry to a particular nesting field, changing the display of the associated field template to include indentation according to the selected nesting level;

receiving user entry to one or more of the data fields of each additional field template; and

determining whether user selection of the submit field has been received, and if so, transmitting a machine-readable representation of the user entries and their relationship for a predefined destination.

37. A system for gathering structured data, comprising:

a user interface, including a display device and a user input device;

a digital data processing apparatus, coupled to the user interface and programmed to perform a method of gathering data comprising;

displaying on the display device a field template including at least one data field;

displaying on the display device an expand field and a submit field;

receiving user entry to one or more of the data fields via the user input device;

determining whether the user has selected the expand field, and for each user selection of the expand field,

displaying on the video display an additional field template and a connective field, each connective field displaying a list of predefined user-selectable Boolean terms defining relationships between the additional field template and a previous field template;

displaying a nesting field in association with each additional field template;

receiving user entry to each connective field via the user input device, each entry comprising selection of one of the predefined connective terms;

determining whether user entry to the nesting fields has occurred, each entry comprising selection of a nesting level, and responsive to user entry to a particular nesting field, changing the display of the associated field template to include indentation according to the selected nesting level;

receiving user entry to one or more of the data fields of each additional field template via the user input device; and

determining whether user selection of the submit field has been received via the user input device, and if so, performing a predetermined action.